Matt Elam listed as starting free safety for Ravens

It was only a matter of time that Ravens first-round draft choice Matt Elam would become a starter.

The organization is high on his abilities as a safety and was seen as a future starter at strong safety. What is now a surprise when thinking back to the summer is that Elam is now a starter over Michael Huff, who the Ravens signed in free agency.

Huff spent his first seven NFL seasons playing safety and cornerback for the Oakland Raiders, which did him no favors. He was a player the Ravens coveted in the the 2006 draft, though they did not select him.

After a poor game against Denver that saw Huff out of position and missing tackles, Elam got the start against Cleveland. Now, Elam is listed as the starter at free safety for Week 3's game against Houston. Huff has been relegated to second-string. James Ihedigbo remains the starter at strong safety.

Jimmy Smith also opened as a starter in the base defense last week and is now considered a starter on this week's depth chart. Smith had a good game against the Browns, recording three pass deflections.

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