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Raiders hope Huff will puff offenses down
- Ron Kroichick, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Michael Huff always admired Charles Woodson. Huff grew up in Irving, Texas, while Woodson starred at the University of Michigan, but Huff still found a model in Woodson, a player after whom he could pattern his game.
And now Huff will succeed Woodson as the marquee player in the Raiders' secondary, a prospect at once tantalizing and worrisome for Silver and Black faithful.
Oakland tapped Huff, a defensive back from Texas, with the No. 7 overall pick in Saturday's NFL Draft. Huff's college teammate, dynamic quarterback Vince Young, already was off the board, and the Raiders resisted the temptation to select USC's Matt Leinart, another potential solution at quarterback.
They ultimately leaned on an old, unwavering Al Davis rule: Pick the fast guy. Huff raced all over the field as Texas' strong safety, winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and convincing the Raiders he can pump life into their sagging defense.
The Raiders sought to upgrade the defense again in the second round, taking Texas-El Paso linebacker Thomas Howard with the No. 38 overall choice. Howard also is considered fleet, no great shock given his NFL destination.
"We're adding speed to our defense," head coach Art Shell said. "We felt that was something we needed."
Woodson, the fourth overall pick in 1998, officially found a new home last week in Green Bay. He left behind a mixed legacy in Oakland, four Pro Bowl appearances alongside a series of leg injuries and the lingering suspicion he squandered much of his talent.
Huff arrives as an unabashed Woodson fan, describing it as "kind of a dream come true" to follow him with the Raiders.
"I loved his confidence, his swagger, his play-making ability," Huff said on a conference call. "It looks like I get to wear No. 24 next year. Hopefully, I can take over where he left off."
The Raiders obviously hope Huff can fill their longtime need in the secondary. This is the fifth time in the past six years the Raiders have taken a defensive back in the first round. Derrick Gibson (2001) and Phillip Buchanon ('02) were essentially busts, while the jury remains out, to some degree, on Nnamdi Asomugha ('03) and Fabian Washington ('05).
Washington and Asomugha often started at cornerback last season, when the Raiders ranked 27th in the NFL in total defense. They forced only 19 turnovers, including a league-low five interceptions.
Huff did not snag many interceptions in his four years at Texas (seven), but he impressed the Raiders with his athleticism and intelligence. He mostly played strong safety in college, making 47 of his 50 starts at the position, but many NFL scouts project him as a cornerback in the pros.
Huff also competed on Texas' track team, a resume entry always sure to seize the Raiders' attention.
"He's a guy who can run," Shell said. "We just feel he's going to come in and make an impact on our team this year. ... He can get from Point A to Point B in a hurry. He can close the doggone lane."
That would seem to suggest Huff is best suited for cornerback, but Shell, unprompted, mentioned the standout tight ends the Raiders routinely face in the AFC West (Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez and San Diego's Antonio Gates). That would point to Huff playing safety.
Jarrod Cooper started the last 10 games of the 2005 season at one safety spot, with Stuart Schweigert starting the final 11 games at the other spot. They should not feel especially secure about staying in the lineup, though Shell would not indicate whether he prefers Huff at safety or cornerback.
"We'll find a place for him, I guarantee you that," Shell said.
Said Huff: "I feel more comfortable at safety because that's where I've played the majority of the time. But I'd be just fine at cornerback."
Huff brings along a charismatic streak, from his eating habits to his hobbies. He is so fond of the shrimp and pancakes at the International House of Pancakes, he has talked of wanting to buy an IHOP. Huff once good-naturedly mused that he might change the restaurant's name to the "International Huff of Pancakes."
He also is said to be an electronic whiz, constantly fiddling with gadgets from computers to iPods to video games.
These off-field interests might not have surfaced during Huff's visit with Raiders officials earlier this month -- he came to the team's Alameda headquarters the same week as Young and Leinart -- but he clearly made a positive impression.
"He's a very confident young man, very articulate," Shell said. "He was able to have a conversation about a number of different things. He has a real calming presence about him."
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/30/SPGAIII7JE1.DTL
- Ron Kroichick, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Michael Huff always admired Charles Woodson. Huff grew up in Irving, Texas, while Woodson starred at the University of Michigan, but Huff still found a model in Woodson, a player after whom he could pattern his game.
And now Huff will succeed Woodson as the marquee player in the Raiders' secondary, a prospect at once tantalizing and worrisome for Silver and Black faithful.
Oakland tapped Huff, a defensive back from Texas, with the No. 7 overall pick in Saturday's NFL Draft. Huff's college teammate, dynamic quarterback Vince Young, already was off the board, and the Raiders resisted the temptation to select USC's Matt Leinart, another potential solution at quarterback.
They ultimately leaned on an old, unwavering Al Davis rule: Pick the fast guy. Huff raced all over the field as Texas' strong safety, winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and convincing the Raiders he can pump life into their sagging defense.
The Raiders sought to upgrade the defense again in the second round, taking Texas-El Paso linebacker Thomas Howard with the No. 38 overall choice. Howard also is considered fleet, no great shock given his NFL destination.
"We're adding speed to our defense," head coach Art Shell said. "We felt that was something we needed."
Woodson, the fourth overall pick in 1998, officially found a new home last week in Green Bay. He left behind a mixed legacy in Oakland, four Pro Bowl appearances alongside a series of leg injuries and the lingering suspicion he squandered much of his talent.
Huff arrives as an unabashed Woodson fan, describing it as "kind of a dream come true" to follow him with the Raiders.
"I loved his confidence, his swagger, his play-making ability," Huff said on a conference call. "It looks like I get to wear No. 24 next year. Hopefully, I can take over where he left off."
The Raiders obviously hope Huff can fill their longtime need in the secondary. This is the fifth time in the past six years the Raiders have taken a defensive back in the first round. Derrick Gibson (2001) and Phillip Buchanon ('02) were essentially busts, while the jury remains out, to some degree, on Nnamdi Asomugha ('03) and Fabian Washington ('05).
Washington and Asomugha often started at cornerback last season, when the Raiders ranked 27th in the NFL in total defense. They forced only 19 turnovers, including a league-low five interceptions.
Huff did not snag many interceptions in his four years at Texas (seven), but he impressed the Raiders with his athleticism and intelligence. He mostly played strong safety in college, making 47 of his 50 starts at the position, but many NFL scouts project him as a cornerback in the pros.
Huff also competed on Texas' track team, a resume entry always sure to seize the Raiders' attention.
"He's a guy who can run," Shell said. "We just feel he's going to come in and make an impact on our team this year. ... He can get from Point A to Point B in a hurry. He can close the doggone lane."
That would seem to suggest Huff is best suited for cornerback, but Shell, unprompted, mentioned the standout tight ends the Raiders routinely face in the AFC West (Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez and San Diego's Antonio Gates). That would point to Huff playing safety.
Jarrod Cooper started the last 10 games of the 2005 season at one safety spot, with Stuart Schweigert starting the final 11 games at the other spot. They should not feel especially secure about staying in the lineup, though Shell would not indicate whether he prefers Huff at safety or cornerback.
"We'll find a place for him, I guarantee you that," Shell said.
Said Huff: "I feel more comfortable at safety because that's where I've played the majority of the time. But I'd be just fine at cornerback."
Huff brings along a charismatic streak, from his eating habits to his hobbies. He is so fond of the shrimp and pancakes at the International House of Pancakes, he has talked of wanting to buy an IHOP. Huff once good-naturedly mused that he might change the restaurant's name to the "International Huff of Pancakes."
He also is said to be an electronic whiz, constantly fiddling with gadgets from computers to iPods to video games.
These off-field interests might not have surfaced during Huff's visit with Raiders officials earlier this month -- he came to the team's Alameda headquarters the same week as Young and Leinart -- but he clearly made a positive impression.
"He's a very confident young man, very articulate," Shell said. "He was able to have a conversation about a number of different things. He has a real calming presence about him."
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/30/SPGAIII7JE1.DTL