Michael Huff pulls in an interception against KC
(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
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Oakland Raiders defensive back has spent the better part of the past two years as the guy "on the bubble." As recently as training camp, he was widely expected to miss out on the final cut, as he had never played up to expectations as the seventh overall pick in 2006.
He was selected by Al Davis Art Shell out of Texas with the seventh pick in 2007 with the expectations that he would be the playmaker at safety that the Raiders haven't seen since Rod Woodson. He spent 2006 and 2007 season playing strong safety, where he did an admirable job shutting down opposing tight ends. However, he was criticized for his tackling, as well as his inability to get an interception.
In 2008, it was believed that a move to his natural position of free safety would provide the jump start his flailing NFL career needed. However, it had the opposite effect as he was benched midseason in favor of Hiram Eugene.
Through the entire 2008-9 offseason, it was widely expected that the Raiders were ready to give up on the fourth year player. Coming into the season, he had only grabbed one interception in three years. His image was all over opponents' highlight reels as the guy missing a tackle to spring a big game.
Through his struggles and his demotion, Huff handled everything with professionalism. "Michael Huff is a man's man. If he thinks something is wrong, he will tell you it's wrong," and continued, "You won't get any bologna from a guy like Mike. He's what you are supposed to be about." This attitude is right in line with everything that Tom Cable has tried to instill in this team, which explains his continued presence.
Through two games in 2009 Michael Huff has three interceptions to tie for the league lead. Not only the interceptions, he had a pass defensed on fourth down to clinch the Raiders win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. He has had many in the Raider Nation wondering where this has been for the past four years.
Coach Tom Cable couldn't explain Huff's sudden improvement, but the key was that he was doing what he was supposed to be doing. "It is hard to answer that other than he is where is supposed to be when he is supposed to be there. He's doing a tremendous job of getting us lined up on the back end and communicating. I think when you are playing with that kind of confidence and understand exactly what you need to do in certain situations you can go for it. You can take those chances he's taking and he is coming up big."
Huff's three interceptions would have been enough to tie for the team lead in '08, despite the Raiders only coming into their third game. It is doubtful that he will continue this pace and grab 24 interceptions, but he is showing that he has matured into this role, which is precisely what the Raiders need.
NOTES:
On Sunday September 27th, the Oakland Raiders will be holding their eights annual Fiesta Latina, where they will shower the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum with "Latino excitement."
You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.
Comments
Its all on Jamarcus and the recievers to do their part now...
Jamarc, has to have a big game in order for us to win against Denver... We will beat Denver this Sunday! We were a much better team than KC, as the win shows... Huff will have another interception come sunday...
Mike Huff is a great story. He has witnessed countless head coach changes and position coach changes. Through it all, hard work and alot of film study, is proof positive. A Raider 1st round pick getting some shine. Mike Huff is definitely no Patrick Bates.
Congradualations to M. Huff for two very good back to back games. Now, we have Branch doing a great job and Mitchell playing special teams waiting his turn. But the Raiders still need to replace Rout, he is terrible.
Al Davis's drafting is killing this team: too many safeties and mediocre DEs, not enough corners, absolutely not enough quality "O" liemen or DTs. But, we got no hands Bey, a LT in Barnes that does not want to play the right side and Satele, who can't even play center. Nice job Al, thank goodness the Cheatriots did not want old mnan Seymore anymore. The draft should have been Monroe and Brace. Oh yeah, someone call JR's mommie and have her take his PS3, Wii and Xbox360 away until he spends the appropriate amount of time studying game film and throwing footballs through a swinging tire.
This is the game that Jamarcus has to use to shut everyone up...if not, take a seat! I see alot of sacks and picks against Kyle Orton....go Raiders!
Howie why don't you stop your crying about Mr. Davis? Sure he has made some bad choices but who hasn't. The recent drafts have been turning out pretty good haven't they? Enjoy the game Bro and relax. Yeah we all want them to win but it's not going to happen every game. The Raiders are one of the youngest teams around and are still learning. That includes learning how to win. I may be wrong but the average age of the team is around 26 or 27. So stop believing what the media writes about Mr. D. When Mr. D. is at the combines why are all the other coaches and GM's around him? Because they are picking his brain about players.
Go Raiders!!!
Well if you look at the widerecievers, the Raiders don't have bad recievers. The real problem is Jamarcus, I feel if Tom Cable takes out Jamarcus and puts in any of the other back-up QB. The back-ups would do 100% better. Charlie had a bad times with the browns but he didn't have a running game or a good O-Line. Here in Oakland he has both and e could shine. I believe the same thing for Bruce Gradkowski, but I have more faith in Charlie Frye because he is more accurate.
Nmandi has been a big help to all the secondary, he is a leader
With a 53 man roster, you would think we would have better back-up KR's and PR's. Rankin looks slow and Eugene has not returned punts in a very long time. Miller is going to be out for a while, so we might wan't to look for an upgrade here. At center, I think we would be better off keeping Morris there and give McQuestrian a shot at LG or maybe Barnes if he's a go. Continuity is important on the OL. If Satele plays it's two people out of position. We should have kept Washington instead of Routt. He was very good inside (slot) and probobly better than Routt as a backup on the outside. Why is McFadden going down so easy? It bears watching. He looks like he is going to break it and then goes down. Is it the shoes, balance, too much weight going foward, stride too long or just being tripped up?
How's Mitchel doing? What happened to the Mcallister talk? If we can get a little depth at safety I say let Branch return kicks. He looked good last year. Maybe even Mcfadden (we have good depth at running back, I would rather see Bush get the bulk of the carries anyway). This offence needs to start drives in good field position. Diamond Jim's right Rankin doesn't look good returning kicks. And if we ever put Walker back to return anything we are really dumb. We should get McAllister if he's available. We have plenty of dead weight to cut at DB.
Congratulations to Michael Huff...You have finally arrived!
Please keep it up and opposing QBs wont know where to go.
p.s. kudos to Nnamdi, Chris Johnson, and the rest. Shut'em down boys! Go Raiders!!!
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