'04 Player Preview: John Hall
July 28, 2004
John Hall is fearless on kickoffs, eager to take on blockers. He's earned the admiration of teammates. (Photo by Don Wright)
Joining the Redskins last season as a free agent from the New York Jets, John Hall eclipsed 100 points in a season for the sixth time in his career. Hall proved his worth right away in the season opener. Against his old team, in front of a national audience, Hall was three-for-three including a 55-yarder and the game-winner, a 33-yard kick with five seconds left in a dramatic 16-13 victory.
That kick was the seventh game-winning field goal of his career.
At 6-3 and 240 pounds, Hall is a giant for a kicker. Last season, Hall connected on four field goals of 50 yards or more. His strong leg is evident on kickoffs as well as field goals. In 1997 with the Jets, Hall set a modern-day NFL record for touchbacks in a season with 29.
Whether it's a field goal or a kickoff, Hall strives for consistency. He quickly became the Redskins' most reliable field goal kicker since Chip Lohmiller in 1994.
"I just try to kick the ball the same way every time," he said. "There's really nothing different I do. Consistency and technique are what's most important when it comes to field goal kicking.
Hall is also one of the few kickers who relish making special teams tackles, earning him accolades from the likes of linebacker LaVar Arrington. During practices, Hall would wear the dark burgundy jersey that the Redskins defense usually wears.
With a new high-powered offense this season, Hall may be kicking more point after touchdowns than field goals. Either way, his consistency could bring him another 100-point season in 2004.
CAREER STATISTICS
Year Team GP Att FG FG% PAT Att Pts
2003 Redskins 16 33 25 75.8 26 27 101
2002 N.Y. Jets 16 31 24 77.4 35 37 107
2001 N.Y. Jets 16 31 24 77.4 32 32 104
2000 N.Y Jets 15 32 21 65.6 30 30 93
1999 N.Y. Jets 16 33 27 81.8 27 29 108
1998 N.Y. Jets 16 25 35 71.4 45 46 120
1997 N.Y. Jets 16 28 41 68.3 36 36 120
Total 111 236 174 75.8 231 237 753
Memorable Game:
For Redskins fans, it's last season's opener against the Jets and the game-winning field goal. But for Hall, it's almost certainly the January 6, 2002 game against the Oakland Raiders when he nailed a 53-yarder to give the Jets a 24-22 lead with 59 seconds remaining. The win secured the Jets' first playoff appearance in three seasons.
From the Files:
A bonus for Hall this year is that veteran punter Tom Tupa is expected to serve as the holder. Tupa and Hall were teammates with the New York Jets from 1999-2001. Good chemistry and familiarity between a kicker and his holder is essential, and Hall already shares that with Tupa. "It's big because I know every time that he's going to do his job," Hall said. "Having Tom there holding, and Ethan Albright snapping to him, is priceless."
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