Ex-Longhorn Michael Huff finally living up to expectations in Oakland

By CHAREAN WILLIAMS

Michael Huff heard the rumors. How could he not? He has spent the past two years on the Oakland Raiders’ bubble.

"As long as I was on the Raiders’ roster, I was going out there, working hard and trying to get better each and every day," Huff said in a telephone interview, "so if my number was called, I’d be prepared to go out there and make plays."

Huff has gone from benched and nearly cut to starting free safety and Black Hole fan favorite. Huff has four takeaways — three interceptions and a fumble recovery — doubling what he had in his first three seasons. He also has nine tackles and seven pass breakups.

Huff, 26, has been one of the key players for a defense that ranks 18th and has gotten little help from a Raiders offense that ranks last in the NFL.

Raiders coach Tom Cable has been at a loss to explain how Huff has become a playmaker. The ex-Longhorn started his career at strong safety after the Raiders made him the seventh overall pick in 2006. But Huff, who is 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, wasn’t big enough for the position. He switched back to his natural position of free safety last season, but he was benched after five games in favor of Hiram Eugene.

Huff admits "growing pains" at free safety last season. But he is all grown up this season, finally living up to expectations from four years ago.

"I don’t think it’s one thing," Huff said, "because I’ve been working hard ever since I’ve been in the league. I think I’ve just gotten to that point where I’m more comfortable. All the film study and all the hard work is paying off."

Remi’s time to shine

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Remi Ayodele had never kept a football before last week, but then, he had never scored a touchdown, either. Ayodele, a South Grand Prairie grad, recovered a Mark Sanchez fumble in the end zone for a touchdown that gave the Saints a 17-0 lead on their way to a 24-10 victory over the New York Jets.

"It’s very rare for [defensive linemen to score]," Ayodele said in a telephone interview. "It was cool. It was a real good deal. I was excited. I’m still excited."

During their film study, Ayodele said the Saints noticed Sanchez carries the ball "real loose." Indeed, Sanchez has fumbled five times in four games, losing two.

"I was trying to sack him," Ayodele said. "The next thing you know, Will Smith, who is way faster than I am, runs right past me. He knocked the ball out, and I knew I had to get to it."

It took Ayodele a long time to reach the end zone.

Ayodele, 26, has been with the Patriots, Ravens, Cowboys, Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe, the Falcons and the Saints. He has been cut eight times, including four times by the Cowboys. He has played in only 16 games in five seasons.

Now, here he is, starting for one of five undefeated teams. Ayodele, the brother of Dolphins linebacker Akin Ayodele, has started two of the past four games in place of Kendrick Clancy (knee).

"My mom always tells me everything happens for a reason," said Ayodele, who, with the Saints enjoying an off week, spent the week in DFW. "I’m really happy I’m there. When I got there [last year], it was a real big change from being in Dallas. The practices are way harder, and it wasn’t as laid back. Eventually, I bought in, and I think I’m home."

Champ no chump

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo threw in Champ Bailey’s direction 13 times last week. Bailey had eight tackles, an interception in the red zone and four pass breakups, including on back-to-back plays in the end zone to seal Denver’s 17-10 victory.

Bailey, 31, has been to eight Pro Bowls and has 44 career interceptions.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, whose team plays Bailey’s Broncos today, questioned the wisdom of testing Bailey.

"I don’t think it’s smart at all," Brady said on a conference call Wednesday. "I don’t think I’m going to come out of this game going, 'Guys, let’s see how many times we can throw at Champ.’ I’ve been watching the last couple of plays of the Dallas game.

"He’s an elite corner in the league. He plays with a lot of confidence. The defense really depends on him to make those type of plays. He’s made them for a long time. ... You don’t find very many who are better than Champ."

Charean Williams, 817-390-7760

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