The center of it all for the offense

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The “second quarterback” was at the Raiders’ facility early Monday morning, as usual. There was more work to be done, though he won’t acknowledge it.

Center Rodney Hudson lost his partner in preparation last Saturday when starting quarterback Derek Carr broke his leg, but a big part of Hudson’s job this week is making sure teammates see the transition to backup Matt McGloin as “seamless.”

That is Oakland offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave’s word. Musgrave has called Carr and Hudson “a dynamic duo, like having two quarterbacks on the field.”

Hudson said McGloin starting Sunday in Denver “doesn’t change anything. Matt pays a lot of attention to detail, and we will communicate back and forth all week.”

Hudson has those details worked out well before the first team meeting on the new game plan every Wednesday.

“Every time I see Rodney, and it can be early in the morning, he has a playbook in his hand and he’s watching film in the other,” rookie running back Jalen Richard said. “Even if he is in the training room getting his foot rubbed on, he is studying plays. Other guys in there are on their cell phones, but he is in his playbook.

“And Rodney’s always talking about different looks that we see in games. No chitchat. He takes the job seriously, and he is brilliant.”

Rodney Hudson, a free agent signing before the 2015 season, anchors one of the league’s best offensive lines. Rodney Hudson, a free agent signing before the 2015 season, anchors one of the league’s best offensive lines. Photo: Jason O. Watson / Jason O. Watson / Getty Images Photo: Jason O. Watson / Jason O. Watson / Getty Images Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close The center of it all for the offense 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Oakland’s offensive line might be the biggest reason, literally and figuratively, that the Raiders are 12-3. The Raiders have allowed a league-low 16 sacks this season and have the NFL’s fifth-best running attack (124 yards per game).

And it all starts with Hudson, a six-year player who was selected to his first Pro Bowl last week. He identifies the defense, makes the calls and blocking assignments at the line of scrimmage, and — along with Carr — had veto power over any call Musgrave sent out.

The Raiders added left tackle Donald Penn in 2014 and left guard Kelechi Osemele before this season — both also recent Pro Bowl selections — but they and general manager Reggie McKenzie all point to the 2015 signing of the former Chief Hudson as the turning point. That was $44.5 million (for five years) well spent.

“I thought it was vital to have somebody in the middle of that offensive line to … (have) the mentality that he had, the smarts to make the calls, and to communicate with the other linemen,” McKenzie said. “And to have that rapport with the quarterback. He’s the ideal player that you need, and plus his quick, quick hands, he’s strong enough.

“To me, he is the unsung hero.”

Last season, Hudson’s play went viral when the 6-foot-2, 300-pounder roared downfield to run over Chargers safety Jimmy Wilson on an Amari Cooper catch and run. Last week, Hudson let his hands do the work, pushing one Colts defender off balance before blocking another on DeAndre Washington’s first 22-yard touchdown run.

“Rodney’s been great,” head coach Jack Del Rio said. “He’s super bright, so handling the protections and making the calls, he’s really on point. … He’s really athletic, he’s got power, he’s got the ability to pull and do some of the down-and-around stuff that we like to do, and he’s a really good athlete. So he’s a big piece of our success.”

Penn goes Del Rio one better.

“Rodney is the best center in the league,” Penn said. “He is very underappreciated and is a major part of our offense. We don’t go without Rodney. He puts us in the right spots. Rodney is the man. We follow Rodney, and he is one of the biggest reasons this thing has turned around.”

Hudson, meanwhile, credits Musgrave and offensive line coach Mike Tice for their ability to “make adjustments after every drive.”

“And we have big guys that can move, so if we can anticipate what’s going to happen, we’re in business,” Hudson said.

Musgrave and Tice put more on Hudson’s plate this season, his second on the team and with Carr (and McGloin). Tice, after all, has been pining for Hudson ever since he was on the Chicago Bears’ staff and they worked out the Florida State lineman in 2011.

“I was so excited when we got him here,” Tice said. “Rodney is a football junkie. He understands coverage. He understands leverage and angles. He gets everyone lined up, even the running backs and the tight ends. And he and Derek are always on the same page.”

Hudson is not one to talk himself up, and one teammate joked that he is always cranky, but the center takes his role seriously. And Hudson is very proud that he has helped the Raiders make the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.

“I help out a lot,” Hudson said. “I’m a leader on this team, along with a lot of other guys. That’s what’s great about this team. We don’t have one or two leaders. We have a lot of guys with a lot of experience who speak up when they need to speak up.”

Or, when the fourth quarter rolls around, Hudson just shoots his teammates a look.

“Focus in,” he said.

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur