Not everybody shares my opinion that DeAngelo Hall is overrated. That's fine, but it's hard to argue that he's played like a former eighth-overall pick, or that he's one of the top 15 cornerbacks in the NFL even if he might tell you otherwise.
My favorite example is a one-shoed Hines Ward beating Hall on a skinny post and then outrunning him to the end zone. Hall also gifted last season's Week 3 game to the Panthers all by himself even though he held Steve Smith to just one catch for 10 yards. Instead of getting burned -- his usual M.O. -- it was the gum-flapping that got Hall in trouble against Carolina. As FanHouse's David Warner wrote at the time:
It's unclear what Smith said to Hall [during an early third-quarter drive] ... Whatever it was, Hall became unglued and took a shot at Smith on the next play, drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Then, when the Panthers' drive appeared dead, Smith and Hall started jawing once more, and Hall wouldn't stop. The refs flagged him once more for unsportsmanlike conduct.Sixty-seven yards in penalties later, the Panthers were on their way to tying the score before eventually winning it.
Interim head coach Bobby Petrino ended up fining Hall for his antics, which pretty much got the ball rolling on the "get me out of Atlanta, whatever it takes" crusade Hall would start championing immediately after forking over that game check.
Now it looks like Hall will get his wish -- he should be officially traded to the Raiders any minute now -- but just because he's out of the NFC South doesn't mean Steve Smith has forgotten about last year. From Hashmarks' Pat Yasinskas, quoting Smith on Sirius NFL Radio:
Smith was asked if he was sad to see Hall leave the NFC South. He quickly pointed out the Panthers and Raiders are scheduled to play this year. Then, Smith said he plans to have his children at that game.My advice to Smith: I'd think about bringing your kids to more than seven games next season.
"Poppa don't lose no fights when the kids are around,'' Smith said.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. This is just getting sad. How about you make a list of the 15 CBs that are better then him? Or why don't you point out that the safety blew the coverage on Ward and left Hall out to dry? Oh, yea, that wouldn't support your asinine point. How come you aren't blogging about Lewis Sanders' comments pertaining to Hall? Wait for it... They don't support your point. You really have no idea what you are talking about, concerning him getting burnt, and the fact that this 'blog' is featured so prominently is an abomination. If you want to air your personal vendetta against the man, do it properly, ie with facts and not here.
Posted at 5:01PM on Mar 17th 2008 by Jimbo
2. This is just getting sad. How about you make a list of the 15 CBs that are better then him? Or why don't you point out that the safety blew the coverage on Ward and left Hall out to dry? Oh, yea, that wouldn't support your asinine point. How come you aren't blogging about Lewis Sanders' comments pertaining to Hall? Wait for it... They don't support your point. You really have no idea what you are talking about, concerning him getting burnt, and the fact that this 'blog' is featured so prominently is an abomination. If you want to air your personal vendetta against the man, do it properly, ie with facts and not here.
Posted at 5:11PM on Mar 17th 2008 by Jimbo
3. Let's see, how about: Champ Bailey, Nnamdi Asomugha, Marcus Trufant, Antonio Cromartie, Terence Newman, Dunta Robinson, Asante Samuel, Al Harris, Leigh Bodden, Marlin Jackson, Ronde Barber, Rashean Mathis, Chris McAlister, Lito Sheppard, Nate Clements, Shawn Springs, Antoine Winfield, Charles Woodson.
That's 18. Take your pick.
If I'm a GM, all players I'd rather see at cornerback than DeAngelo. And if it makes you feel better: it's the safety's fault Hall can't cover Hines Ward. Better?
And how about this for facts: Since he was drafted in 2004, the Falcons' CBs have ranked 10th, 31st, 17th, 26th against opponents' No. 1 WRs. Is that a what you expect from a top-15 cornerback. Particularly one who's about to get "Asante Samuel" money? Really?
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef.php
Posted at 5:17PM on Mar 17th 2008 by ryan
4. I said better, not just list 15 CB's. Your credibility is already in question but to bring Leoigh Bodden, Marlin Jackson, Ronde Barber (especially at this stage of his career), Shawn Springs, and Winfield is just laughable. Your link is of no importance as it reflects team performance. I'd much rather you bring in Joyner who evaluates players on their own, and just so happens to notice that Hall was better than Samuel. When Samuel is getting torched but the receivers in the East next year will you still act like 'Asante Samuel' money is something to be proud of?
At least we know why you aren't a GM. As for Ward, you do realize in football there are these things called plays, and the entire team takes part in them. If a safety is supposed to be over the top in Zone coverage and allows the receiver to get by him, he is also at fault when the play is made.
You can also find instances of every corner you listed getting burnt, most by far worse players than Hines Ward,
Posted at 5:36PM on Mar 17th 2008 by Jimbo
5. I said better, not just list 15 CB's. Your credibility is already in question but to bring Leoigh Bodden, Marlin Jackson, Ronde Barber (especially at this stage of his career), Shawn Springs, and Winfield is just laughable. Your link is of no importance as it reflects team performance. I'd much rather you bring in Joyner who evaluates players on their own, and just so happens to notice that Hall was better than Samuel. When Samuel is getting torched but the receivers in the East next year will you still act like 'Asante Samuel' money is something to be proud of?
At least we know why you aren't a GM. As for Ward, you do realize in football there are these things called plays, and the entire team takes part in them. If a safety is supposed to be over the top in Zone coverage and allows the receiver to get by him, he is also at fault when the play is made.
You can also find instances of every corner you listed getting burnt, most by far worse players than Hines Ward,
Posted at 5:37PM on Mar 17th 2008 by Jimbo
6. Gee-whiz, Jimbo! The double-posts make you look even more buffoonish than the inflammatory comments in your posts! As anyone who has played sports will tell you, last year is last year. Hall is young, talented and in good health, the only problem with him being the dreaded "character issues." Will a move to the Bay Area clear his head? Only time will tell. Atlanta needs all the help it can get: an extra 2nd rounder and several other lower picks would be a good start.
Posted at 6:05PM on Mar 17th 2008 by Marcus
7. Jimbo is really dumb
Posted at 10:15PM on Mar 17th 2008 by peete046
8. Too bad Steve Smith will be too busy getting shutdown by Asomugha to chat with Dhall
Posted at 10:04PM on Mar 20th 2008 by tb