:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3538938/120184565.jpg)
In case you didn't get a chance to tune into Chop Talk on Sunday night you can listen to the entire show by following this link. One of our guests this week was Pro Football Focus' analyst Nathan Jahnke. Many topics were hit during his time on the show but one of the more interesting bits from Jahnke was in reference to Kansas City Chiefs second-year player and soon-to-be starting center, Rodney Hudson.
Jahnke explained that Hudson, although it was in just 72 pass attempts, did not give up a single pressure while filling in at guard last season. While it's not the same position as center, there is still reason to be optimistic for Chiefs fans. It's true that there isn't a lot of experience on Hudson's side, but at least the experience that he does have has been positive. Jahnke believes that Hudson is one player that is posed for a breakout season for the Chiefs.
Earlier in the show I asked Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride where the Chiefs stood if there was an injury to Hudson. His answer was a hesitant, "Rob Bruggeman?",who is the only other player listed as a center for the Kansas City Chiefs as the roster stands today. It's one area that Chiefs fans should still worry about a lot little because there just isn't that much depth should anything happen to Hudson.
There were whispers last year that Jon Asamoah could possible play center because he had at least practiced some there while he was at Illinois, and rookie Jeff Allen, also from Illinois, did show an ability to play each guard and tackle spot in the same game last season for Illinois. That's not a real confidence builder for a team that is poised to regain its' position among the best rushing teams in the NFL. Obviously center is a pretty important spot for that running game to be successful. Trying to count on two guys (Asamoah, Allen) who aren't really ready for that particular position right now wouldn't be a good thing for the Chiefs.
It's one position to keep an eye on as we get closer to roster cuts from around the NFL as the Chiefs could use a veteran that could back up and play should anything happen to the 'breakout candidate' in Hudson.