ASHBURN – His mindset changed when he landed somewhere unexpected: the street. When the Oakland Raiders cut cornerback DeAngelo Hall last season, he knew it wasn’t just because of his play. The Raiders decided they no longer could afford to keep him.
But he also knew his approach needed tweaking.
“When I first got into the league, it was all about the Pro Bowls,” he said. “I was a hard worker. I got away from that when I was in Oakland. I got too cocky. I started reading the headlines, saw how much I was making and felt I didn’t need to work as hard.
“This league will humble you in a heartbeat.”
And Hall felt properly humbled. He rattled off a list of his achievements in his first three years: two Pro Bowls and winner of the NFL’s fastest man competition in 2006. Then came the unemployment line after half a season with the Raiders.
Then came his resurrection with the Redskins, who embraced him from the start. Hall played the last seven games with Washington, starting the final four. He intercepted two passes, one less than team leader Chris Horton.
More importantly, Hall said, he redirected his career.
“I probably grew more this last year and a half,” he said, “than in those first three years with all the success.”
Secondary coach Jerry Gray said Hall impressed him in meeting rooms after his arrival last November. He called him a diligent, and great, note taker who constantly asked questions. Gray already liked Hall’s resume; he liked his approach even more.
“He’s busting his tail to get back to that [Pro Bowl] level,” Gray said. “Sometimes you get bumps in the road and he had a couple, but we have to get past that.”
The Redskins are banking on his continued growth. That’s why they signed him to a six-year, $54 million deal in February and later cut former No. 1 corner Shawn Springs.
Critics called Hall immature, a problem in the locker room and overrated.
“You always hear about someone before you get them,” defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. “I base my feelings on how people treat me and how they act once I know them. This guy has been phenomenal in the time he’s been here and I trust him explicitly.
“He’s trustworthy and a team player and it’s not just about money. Everything I’ve asked him to do he’s done above and beyond the call of duty … . I don’t expect that to ever change.”
Said Hall of the trust Blache has, “It feels good. … I had this so-called rep when I left Oakland and Atlanta. The guys I played for know that’s totally not me. I’m probably the consummate team guy and that probably got me in trouble more than I’d like. I stick up for my teammates, whether it’s on the field or off or in the media.”
What will change is Hall’s role. Like Springs used to do, he’ll move inside to cover slot receivers in nickel situations. If the line, buoyed by tackle Albert Haynesworth, can pressure the passer, the passes will come out faster and possibly shorter. And if that’s the case, Hall could get more chances for interceptions.
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“I’m just so hungry,” he said. “I’m ready to work.”
Redskins notes
… It’s still early, but this much is clear: the defense is much further ahead than the offense, especially along the lines. In the first practice with pads, the defensive line had its way with the offensive line.
Redskins coach Jim Zorn said the offense had put in new plays. So he wasn’t too discouraged with the showing. But, he said, “We are a work in progress.”
… Cornerback Carlos Rogers sat out the full-team drills in the morning practice because of a lower leg issue, according to Zorn. Fullback Eddie Williams did not practice because his hamstring “knotted up.” Right tackle Mike Williams and guard Ruben Riley both left practice early to get more fluids.
