– POSTED ON MARCH 14, 2013

By Bob Evans

Senior Writer

The Oakland Raiders made a cap move earlier this week, cutting former first-round draft picks Michael Huff and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Both players enter the 2013 NFL Free Agency pool with the stigma of never living up to the lofty expectations put on them by their draft status, but either could be solid contributors to a number of NFL teams—Huff in particular.

With the versatility to play both safety and cornerback, Huff was drafted by current Cleveland Browns general manager Michael Lombardi out of the University of Texas back with the No. 7 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Huff was drafted during the Al Davis era, which focused more on speed and raw combine numbers than actual on-field production—which often made it difficult to determine who was actually calling the shots between Lombardi and Davis.

Huff’s career in Oakland has been an up and down one to say the least. He began his career as the team’s starting strong safety, registering 78 tackles at the position in his rookie year. His time as a strong safety didn’t last very long, as he was moved to free safety in his second season after the team acquired Gibril Wilson.

This is where the fun in Huff’s career started, as he was then benched for a lack of production just five games into the 2008 season—but then split reps at the position in 2009. Obviously this was all after Lombardi had left, but Huff was finally able to display his ball-hawking skills at free safety which was a big factor in Lombardi’s original decision to draft him.

After registering just one interception in his first three seasons, Huff accumulated 11 interceptions from 2009-2012. While those are not stand out numbers by any means, given the constant change and moving of positions he experienced, those are certainly not numbers to dismiss.

In 2012, Huff’s carousel of position change once again started to spin—as the former Longhorn was asked to play cornerback after injuries decimated the position for the Raiders. He performed admirably, registering 56 total tackles, two interceptions and 13 passes defended. It seemed to be a pretty seamless transition for the now 30-year old, as he proved his excellent versatility once again.

With the Cleveland Browns in need of upgrades at both the cornerback and free safety position—and his connection to Lombardi in mind—Huff could be a good fit with the Browns. Coming off his best few seasons with the Raiders, it seems he has finally perfected his craft in the NFL. And after being cut by the Raiders, he isn’t likely to command a very large salary.

Mainly being an afterthought or a bust by many people, Lombardi and the Browns could provide Huff an opportunity to prove to the league he can still play at a high level on a one or two-year deal. He would also have an opportunity to close a revolving door at free safety for the Browns, one that has seen quite the few faces man the position next to T.J. Ward over the past couple of years.

While there have not been any rumors linking Huff to the Browns as of yet, this is something to keep an eye on for Browns fans. And if the price is right, Huff could be the answer Browns fans have been looking for a free safety for quite some time.

http://www.buckeyestatesports.com/nfl-free-agency-could-cleveland-browns-reunite-michael-huff-and-michael-lombardi/

I'm not sure why this guy hasn't been looked at by the browns. With free agency throughout the league lacking any big name signings as of late, it would appear that its a buyers market. We have a need at FS and haven't even seen a interest at addressing it. The article mentions him going from SS to FS, but I thought he played some CB as well. It could be that he was just temporarily filling in for an injured player. At FS he would be a great addition for the secondary.