Ravens release Michael Huff, Marcus Spears

The Baltimore Ravens have announced they have waived safeties Michael Huff and defensive end Marcus Spears.  Both veterans were signed this past offseason and were let go today.  The Ravens also signed two safeties off of their practice squad to the active roster in Omar Brown and Brynden Trawick.

Sep 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens free safety Michael Huff (29) in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens free safety Michael Huff (29) in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The move was made primarily due to Huff’s failure on special teams.  With only six tackles this season, this past week’s performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers was the last straw.  Huff was the player at the center of a blown kickoff coverage that allowed the Steelers to return a kickoff 44 yards that led to the game winning field goal for the Steelers.

After initially being brought in to start and fill in for Ed Reed, Huff was replaced by their first round pick Matt Elam and became the main backup and a part of special teams.  Huff had the opportunity to take the job and run with it, but he was there mostly as a stopgap until Elam was ready to take over as the starter.

Spears, a former Dallas Cowboy, was simply being outplayed by rookie third round pick Brandon Williams and was barely playing so they opted to go ahead and cut ties with him.  With the two safeties they have brought up in Brown and Trawick, the Ravens aim to fix their issues on special teams and get better going forward.  The Ravens prepare to travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns this week with both teams at 3-5.