The Redskins filtered through some of what he said and focused on the emotion. And that’s what they liked.
Week 3 » Scouting the Rams1. Sam Bradford is talented but will struggle » The Redskins, like most teams, liked Bradford and felt there was a huge gap between him and the other quarterbacks in the draft. He throws the ball with good mechanics and has a nice arm. But the offensive line is a mess and will cause issues. The Rams have a rookie left tackle in Rodger Saffold and a disappointing former high pick in Jason Smith, who was shifted to right tackle. Bradford has been sacked five times in two games and lacks time to go downfield — not that they have much talent for him to hit deep. Bradford will dump off a lot.2. Steven Jackson is their lone offensive threat » The Pro Bowl running back is averaging just 3.8 yards a carry in the first two games, but that’s mostly because defenses have loaded up eight defenders in the box to stop him. Still, Jackson rushed for 1,416 yards last season for a team that won one game and had poor quarterback play. He’s done well with very, very bad teams. Jackson has size (6-foot-2, 236 pounds) and is fast enough to be dangerous. He’s also a threat in the passing game. 3. Steve Spagnuolo likes aggressive defenses » The New York Giants certainly have missed Spagnuolo as their defensive coordinator. Spagnuolo has brought the aggressive style with him to St. Louis. The talent keeps the success rate down, but the Rams will blitz a decent amount and not just with their linebackers. 4. They lack defensive playmakers » Aside from middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, the Rams don’t have a ton of talent defensively. Laurinaitis is a playmaker and tackling machine who plays with a lot of energy. Chris Long was moved to left end but has yet to provide much of a pass rush with only nine sacks in 34 games. The secondary is average. But the defense has recovered four fumbles in two games and forced 10.
On Monday, a frustrated Hall said he wanted to cover the opposition’s best receiver. He also said, “This [is] my team; this [is] my defense.” And that it didn’t matter what defensive coordinator Jim Haslett wanted to do; he would cover the best guy anyway.
Up nextRedskins at RamsWhere » Edward Jones DomeWhen » Sunday, 4:05 p.m.TV » FOXRadio » 92.7 & 94.3 FM/730 & 980 AM/Sirius 152Redskins Confidential blogRedskins notes» Redskins left tackle Trent Williams (knee/toe) did not practice and limped as he walked toward the facility afterward. Williams injured his knee and toe in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 30-27 overtime loss to Houston. If he can’t play, Stephon Heyer or Jammal Brown would take his place, though it’s clear the players are expecting the former. “I guess they’ve got Steph over there, and we’ll roll with that,” said Brown, a two-time Pro Bowl selection at left tackle in New Orleans. » Brown would welcome a return to the left side, though he hasn’t taken a snap at that spot since camp opened. And he missed all of last season with a hip injury. But he’s still adjusting to right tackle, a spot he hadn’t played since 2005. He said it’s still not natural to him. “Not really but we’re still working on it,” Brown said. “It’s just making sure of the footwork and things like that.”» Free safety Kareem Moore (knee) practiced for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 23. Moore’s status for Sunday is uncertain. He had been starting before the injury and likely would do so if healthy.» Wide receiver Anthony Armstrong (groin) and safety Chris Horton (ankle) also did not practice. Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth (ankle) was limited.
“The good corners I’ve been around all have that mentality,” Haslett said. “I’d be disappointed if he didn’t. I give him all the credit for saying that, to be honest. … It is their team. Players play; coaches, we coach.”
However, whether Hall’s desire becomes reality is a more complicated matter. Though Haslett said he’s “open to anything,” other factors enter into the equation. It can tip off whether a team is in man or zone. If, for example, the receiver motions into the slot and Hall follows, it’s clearly man coverage. Not to mention that Hall has not worked a lot in slot coverage.
Also, sometimes having Hall on the best receiver is not the best matchup. He’s a smaller corner at 5-foot-10. Houston receiver Andre Johnson would have had a five-inch height advantage. But Hall did do this when he played for Atlanta, and at times the Redskins have used this setup in the past.
“There’s different reasons to do it. There’s different reasons not to do it,” Haslett said. “It’s based off where they line them up, a lot of different things, and he’s a bright enough guy. He understands that. I know his frustration in the game. They were throwing all at the opposite side. … But I do like his attitude.”
So do Hall’s teammates.
“He just wants to be in that position and is letting the coaches know he has confidence in himself,” safety Reed Doughty said. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”
The one player who could take issue is one who understands Hall’s desire, fellow corner Carlos Rogers. He did not perceive Hall’s request as a knock on him.
“I don’t look at it like that,” he said. “Me and D. Hall are boys, and I know he wasn’t talking like that about me. … You look at our schedule: What top receiver do you want to guard? I’ve got the other one, and they’re both good.”
Hall matches up well vs. Philadelphia’s smaller, faster DeSean Jackson but might not be best suited to face Indianapolis’ more physical Reggie Wayne.
“I’ve got the size and more physical to play against him, and I can run with anybody,” Rogers said.
That’s why Rogers said he wants the same thing Hall does: a chance to cover the top guy.
“Yeah,” he said. “We’d all like that.”
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