What to do with Michael Huff? Keep him.

By Anthony Carroll  |   Wednesday, February 11, 2009  |  Comments( 9 )

Oakland Raiders
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Rumor has it the Oakland Raiders have had enough of 2006 first-round draft pick Michael Huff. The 25-year-old safety has only been with the silver and black for three seasons; though, in Raider years, that’s close to an eternity.

The former Texas Longhorn was supposed to be the next Ed Reed coming out of college. He was a first-team All-America safety and a winner of the Jim Thorpe Award for being the best defensive back in the nation. He recorded over 300 tackles with the Longhorns, set a school record with four career interception returns for touchdowns and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds at the NFL combine.

There was no way Huff was dropping below the 10th pick in the 2006 draft. And he didn’t. Oakland drafted the 6-foot-1 defender seventh overall. Then, the Raiders handed him a six-year, $43 million contract.

Now, three years into that rookie contract, Oakland may send the former college all-star to the unemployment line.

The 205-pounder spent more time on the bench than on the field in 2008 for the first time in his short NFL career. After starting all 16 games in both 2006 and '07, Huff started just seven games last year, losing his job to 28-year-old Hiram Eugene -- whom the team signed as an undrafted free agent back in ‘06. Eugene finished off the 2008 campaign with more than double the amount of tackles Huff registered.

In his three seasons with the Raiders, Huff played two at strong safety and one at free safety, with virtually no improvement shown after the switch. In all, the Irving, Texas, native has recorded 191 tackles, 17 passes defensed and one interception with Oakland.

So, is releasing the former first-rounder the only option at this point?

Let’s look at the financials: Huff’s $43 million rookie contract included $15 million in guarantees. That’s a sunk cost for the franchise; they’re not getting it back. For the 2009 season, though, Huff’s contract calls for the Raiders to pay him a modest $945,000. Compare that to 2010, when he’s due $5.75 million.

If this was 2010, there’d be no discussion. Huff would be gone in a heartbeat. But it’s not. The Raiders can still keep No. 24 without breaking the bank. So, the question then becomes: Could the Raiders get their $945,000 worth in 2009?

Sure.

Huff hasn’t seen a defense other than ex-coordinator Rob Ryan’s since he entered the NFL. Now, Ryan’s gone and former Seattle Seahawks D-coordinator John Marshall is in. That doesn’t mean Huff will suddenly become the star he was expected to be; however, it could be the small change that helps the young safety finally fit into the Raider ‘D’ and contribute.

Plus, you need to remember that he’s only 25.

In March, he’ll turn 26, but that’s still two years younger than Eugene is. Eugene is also no guarantee, either. He’s played well when given the chance to, but hasn’t recorded a full season at safety in his NFL career. He also has no career interceptions and just three passes defensed in three years.

Also, there’s 2008 fourth-round safety Tyvon Branch, who recorded a pick last season before being placed on injured reserve in early November with a shoulder injury. Branch very well could develop into a starting NFL safety someday, but he certainly isn’t one at this point.

Therefore, as disappointing as Michael Huff has been, Oakland should think twice before giving up on him. They could regret it.

Hey, it took four years for cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to look like a first-rounder. Look how that turned out.
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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