T.O.’s comments about Hall kicks off latest saga of Redskins-Cowboys feud
The first jab was thrown by Terrell Owens, taking a poke at the newest Redskin. And, perhaps, lighting a flame under a rivalry whose intensity burns deeper in the fans than among the players.
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Earlier this week, at a book signing in New York, Owens said of possibly facing DeAngelo Hall Sunday night, “At the rate he’s playing, I’m looking forward to this day.”
That forced Hall to counter. He obliged, sort of.
“That’s definitely T.O.,” he said. “He’s an entertainer first and I’m an athlete first. I’m a football player.”
OK, nobody is predicting actual fisticuffs and these two players might not even line up against one another tonight. And Hall’s words might make Owens chuckle, considering he does love to entertain. He might even agree.
But the arrival of Hall, released by Oakland Nov. 6, could spark a personal grudge match that this rivalry once featured. George Allen wanted to fight Tom Landry at midfield; Diron Talbert always threatened to knock out Roger Staubach; the Hogs and Randy White despised one another. And so on.
The individual dislike has simmered in the past 15 years or so, leaving the disdain mostly for the fans alone.
But Owens and Hall have a history. And it involves Owens being fined $35,000 for spitting in Hall’s face during a 2006 game when the latter played corner for Atlanta. Hall insists it no longer bothers him. Nor does he use it as motivation.
“Not at all,” Hall said. “I’ve seen him, talked to him. It is what it is. It happened; it’s over. That ain’t have nothing to do with this weekend.”
Of course it doesn’t.
Besides, Hall doesn’t want to turn his first game with his new team into a chance for revenge. He has too much else to learn. And he’ll probably only play around 25 snaps; more if Shawn Springs can’t play. Not only that, but Carlos Rogers and Springs would be assigned to cover Owens.
It’s not just Owens who poses problems. The Cowboys also have receiver Roy Williams and tight end Jason Witten to worry about in the passing game.
“[Hall] makes us that much stronger,” defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. “ It gives you a chance to at least feel comfortable that each of the matchups, you have a chance on. … He has great instincts, a lot of moxie and savvy and he’s fearless.”
Three years ago, in a win, Hall held Owens to three catches for nine yards when playing man coverage. Two years ago, in the spitting game, Owens burned him for two touchdowns. A few days after that loss Hall called for Owens to be suspended calling what he did “vulgar.”
“My team’s got my back and I’m sure his team has his back,” Hall said. “Let the best team win. It ain’t about me and him.”
