Miscast as a strong safety for two years, Huff can now prowl the secondary in search of turnovers rather than fight with tight ends, which in some cases outweigh him by more than 50 pounds.

Instead of fighting off guards and tackles near the line of scrimmage, Huff can read the eyes of the quarterback and make a break on a pass.

The acquisition of Gibril Wilson in free agency enabled the Raiders to move Huff to free safety, the position he wanted to play all along.

During one practice, Huff made a diving interception of a pass by JaMarcus Russell and had two breakups. It didn't go unnoticed by cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

"Last year he hadn't made nearly as many plays this early in camp," Asomugha said. "He wanted to help out the team at strong safety, but that wasn't where his heart truly was. His heart was to be back there at free."

Huff didn't disagree.

"I'm out there running around, having fun, letting Gibril take on all the tackles and guards and fullbacks," Huff said. "I can stay back there and make plays."

Although Huff never complained about playing strong safety, he feels the position cut into his ability to do what he does best. Huff has just one interception in 32 starts. The position switch, plus the trade for DeAngelo Hall to pair with Asomugha at cornerback, has Huff convinced more turnovers are ahead.

"They brought me here to make plays, and I feel like I can use my speed, my athletic ability to do that," Huff said. "When you have the two best corners in the game it makes it a lot easier for me. I don't have to lean one way. I can look at the quarterback's eyes and find the ball."

Despite hard work in the weight room and attempts to beef up, Huff simply doesn't have the frame to carry the 215-plus pounds it would take to play strong safety.

"It's kind of weird," Huff said. "Last season I finished at 193 when I was trying to bulk up to play strong (safety). Now I'm trying to lose weight to play free. I'm 205 right now, but I feel quick out there, very fast."

Lane Kiffin had no problem with Huff's effort level at strong safety and appreciated his professionalism.

"He was doing the best he could," Kiffin said. "Was he out of position? Sure, he was out of position. But there weren't other people at that position so he played there. Whenever you have a passion for something, you're going to be better at it.

"Free safety is where he wanted to be, where his body is best fit to be, and you can see it by his body language."

CAMP CALENDAR: A double-session joint practice against the San Francisco 49ers Monday is closed to the public. Double sessions are at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., followed by a single practice the following day at 3 p.m.