Michael Huff has tryout with Bengals as they prepare for Ravens
By Peter Smith
The Cincinnati Bengals brought in recently released safety Michael Huff, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens for a tryout. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Bengals also happen to play the Ravens this week. Huff was initially signed by the Ravens to be a starter as they groomed Matt Elam, their first round pick for the starting job. Once Elam got the nod for the job, Huff was moved to a reserve role and then struggled on special teams, which is why the Ravens ultimately let him go.
The Bengals could sign him both to provide depth to their own safety position, but they can also use Huff for information about the Ravens. The amount of benefit that information can provide is always up for debate, but Huff knows the Ravens and might have some value, but he also has experience playing against the Cleveland Browns, who the Bengals play the following week before they go on their bye.
The Bengals also placed one of their backup safeties in Taylor Mays on injured reserve this past week, which could also play into the reason for the tryout with Huff. Currently, Chris Crocker and Shawn Williams are their backup safeties and while Williams is not going anywhere as he was a third round pick this past year, Crocker could conceivably be replaced. It remains to be seen if the Bengals will opt to sign Huff or if they will stick with what they have.