Countdown to kickoff: 55 is a Raiders player all-time NFL record

In less than a week, the first players will take the field in Napa for the pre-camp warm-up. A few days after that, everyone else will arrive. As for the regular season, it’s still 55 days away.

Wearing number 55 is second year linebacker, Marquel Lee, who the team selected in the 5th round of the 2017 draft out of Wake Forest.

Lee started six games as a rookie. Early on, he was given a shot at the middle linebacker spot, but wasn’t doing the job and when NaVorro Bowman came available after having been cut by the 49ers, Bowman took over as the starter the final ten games.

As of now, Lee is behind newly signed Derrick Johnson. The 35-year-old still does well in coverage; an area in which Lee struggles. It’s playing the run that is Lee’s strength, which would limit his snaps to short yardage situations.

What the number means to the Raiders

This offseason, the Raiders bid farewell to Sebastian Janikowski who was their primary kicker for 17 years. His nickname is the Polish Cannon for his strong leg. The Raiders made him their top pick in the 2000 draft so they could feel confident attempting kicks over 50 yards. And that’s what they got.

Over those 17 years, Seabass converted 55 kicks of 50 yards or more. That’s an all-time NFL record, surpassing the previous mark of 52 set by longtime Lions kicker Jason Hanson. It took Hanson 21 years to hit that many kicks over 50 yards. Janikowski matched his mark in 16 years and put it in the rear view in year 17.

Janikowski obviously hit all those field goals for the Raiders. He is now with the Seattle Seahawks at the age of 40, hoping to add to his record.