Texas alum shining for Raiders

IRVING - After three lackluster seasons, Raiders free safety and former Texas standout Michael Huff has shown dramatic improvement, Oakland coach Tom Cable said. Through 10 games, Huff has a career-high three interceptions. In last week's 20-17 upset of Cincinnati, he had nine tackles. "His tackling and his communication and just his play at safety have been outstanding all year," Cable said. A native of Irving who graduated from Nimitz High School, Huff started rounding into form after he was benched last season. Although he's started the last four games, he's primarily a nickel back. "Everybody goes though a certain timetable, if you will," Cable said when asked why it took so long for Huff to put it all together. "Learning the NFL game, the pro way and what it takes to take care of your body and the amount of time it takes for preparation and what's involved in all of that. "Michael is a brilliant guy. Once he got settled into...