Michael Huff has teammates in the Broncos’ locker room who have no clue he was once all that.
In 2007, Huff collected $13.35 million in salary and bonuses from the Oakland Raiders. One year, $13.35 million. He was a starting safety for seven seasons, and second team all-pro in 2010.
For the Broncos this season, Huff agreed to become a backup for a prorated minimum of $296,470 for the final six games of the season. He got in for two special-teams plays against Kansas City, didn’t play at all in the next two games, then got to play 15 and 25 defensive snaps in the Broncos’ final two regular-season games.
And he couldn’t be happier. Why?
“It’s my first time in the playoffs,” Huff said. “This game against San Diego will be the first playoff game of my eight-year career. It’s not about money, it’s not about starting or whatever. It’s all about that ring. We’ve made a lot of money, obviously. That ring is one thing they can never take from you.”
It wasn’t long ago that if a team wanted to put together a secondary of its choosing, Huff, Quentin Jammer and Champ Bailey would have been under strong consideration.
All three not only are former first-round selections, they’re former top-10 draft picks: Jammer went No. 5 overall in 2002, Bailey No. 7 in 1999 and Huff No. 7 in 2006.
All have made ridiculous, sit-on-the-couch-for-the-rest-of-their-lives money: Jammer made $7 million in 2002 and 2007; Bailey made $13 million in 2010. Bailey, Jammer and Huff have combined to make 468 starts.
All three are coming off the bench this season for the Broncos. In their secondary alone, the Broncos have the biggest-name bench in the NFL.
“We’re talking about guys that probably are not in their prime, yet remain valuable and so they’ve been able to be great teammates, great team players and find a role where we can utilize their abilities,” said Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. “Part of that is the wisdom of their experience and part of that is being really good players.”
Really good bench players, as it turned out.
“I don’t think any one of us don’t want to start,” Bailey said, laughing. “Everybody wants to start. It’s just that when you’re on a team, you have to understand your role. I’ve been saying that every year. Now I just happen to be one of those guys coming in for certain situations.”
As a nickel back, Bailey will play plenty Sunday when San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers is likely to pass. But a foot injury has caused Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowler and certain Hall of Famer, to surrender his starting outside cornerback position to Chris Harris.
“Now, if they were out there (spilling) down their leg every play, then I’d be (ticked),” Bailey said. “But they’re handling their business, so there’s no need to mess that up.”
Jammer was a longtime starting cornerback with the Chargers, but he was willing to switch to safety when he signed up with the Broncos in June. When that didn’t work out, Jammer became a backup corner whose playing time ranged from five game-day inactives to 40 percent-or-so playing time in six other games.
“It’s been humbling. It’s been fun,” Jammer said. “I want to win a championship, No. 1. And I love football still. I love it. If I didn’t love it I wouldn’t be here. Coming off the bench for 15 to 20 snaps a game, for me it’s been a blessing. I’m not a guy that’s going to complain about reps.”
Where have you gone, Charles Woodson? Oh, yeah. Never mind.
Mike Klis: klis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis
