D Hall Wants to Play Safety

[DarthMonk]

Impending free agent DeAngelo Hall says there's a "good chance" he re-signs with the Redskins.
Hall was a guest on FOX Football Daily on Wednesday. He also said he'd "love" to transition from cornerback to safety. Hall was released by the Redskins last offseason, drew little interest on the open market, and then re-signed with Washington. He started all 16 games and registered 78 tackles, four picks, and 13 pass breakups. Hall has lost a step or five in recent years but still has some game left in him at 30 years old. He played the slot some in 2013.
Source: Chris Russell on Twitter Jan 8 - 6:50 PM

[UK Skins Fan]

I changed my mind on Hall during the season. Last year, I wasn't unhappy to see him released. But he was clearly our best DB this season, and we need some kind of continuity on defence. In a year when a lot of change is likely, it would be wise to hang on to the few reliable assets we have.

As for a move to safety, I'm not so sure. He's played some of his best games when matched up against the opponent's top receiving threat, and why would we want to take away his contribution in that area?

[DarthMonk]

I changed my mind on Hall during the season. Last year, I wasn't unhappy to see him released. But he was clearly our best DB this season, and we need some kind of continuity on defence. In a year when a lot of change is likely, it would be wise to hang on to the few reliable assets we have.

As for a move to safety, I'm not so sure. He's played some of his best games when matched up against the opponent's top receiving threat, and why would we want to take away his contribution in that area?

With the way the league is today, one safety should almost be a linebacker and the other should have corner skills. Hall would be the latter and could match up with the WR-esque TEs or the slot men in 3 WR sets.

Seattle leads the way here. Watch #31 SS Kam Chancellor today. He can level a RT.

By Danny O'Neil

The reason Earl Thomas is one of the team's most indispensable players on Seattle's roster is also the same reason you have to wonder about the team's depth at safety.

There is no one quite like Thomas. Not in this league, not on Seattle's roster.

In a league where many teams use safeties that are essentially interchangeable, Seattle is different. It has one safety who's as big as a linebacker in Kam Chancellor and another with the coverage skills that would allow him to play cornerback, but the speed and instincts that make him an elite safety.

Thomas has one-of-a-kind range, a center fielder who can line up 25 yards off the line of scrimmage, cover sideline to sideline and come crashing forward to the line of scrimmage when the situation calls for it.

He is unique, and not just because he is the only sub-6-foot starter in Seattle's secondary, but because of what his speed enables not just him to do, but Seattle's defense. Thomas is capable of being a single-high safety, meaning he's the one-man coverage policy at the back of the defense. It allows Seattle to put an extra defender in the box to defend the run if it wants or someone else underneath in coverage.

Think of Hall as Thomas. Hey, maybe Rak can play SS !!!

JK

[The Hogster]

D Hall may make a good FS when he actually loses a step, but that comment above is just wrong. He had one of his best years last season. He hasn't lost a step yet. I'd give him another year or two to make the transition. He's our best corner still.

[DarthMonk]

D Hall may make a good FS when he actually loses a step, but that comment above is just wrong.

Which comment?

He had one of his best years last season. He hasn't lost a step yet. I'd give him another year or two to make the transition. He's our best corner still.

Agreed.

[SkinsJock]

I changed my mind on Hall during the season. Last year, I wasn't unhappy to see him released. But he was clearly our best DB this season, and we need some kind of continuity on defence. In a year when a lot of change is likely, it would be wise to hang on to the few reliable assets we have.

As for a move to safety, I'm not so sure. He's played some of his best games when matched up against the opponent's top receiving threat, and why would we want to take away his contribution in that area?

With the way the league is today, one safety should almost be a linebacker and the other should have corner skills. Hall would be the latter and could match up with the WR-esque TEs or the slot men in 3 WR sets.

I agree with you 3 - Hall is a "player" and would provide some leadership and I think this kid can help our secondary - for what he 'costs' he's a plus

I'd be surprised to not see him playing for us

we're going to have a lot of house cleaning here and while D Hall is not exactly the most stable leader he is a 'player'

as fast as the offenses are you are going to need speed and 'experience' Hall may have lost some speed but at safety he's still got enough

AND

the guy is still one of the best on our secondary which needs major help

[riggofan]

If I wasn't completely sold on D. Hall, he made me a believer this past year. I have no idea how realistic it is to move him to safety, but if he can get it done I'd love to see him return.

[jmooney]

I dunno, D Hall isn't great in zone, he's a better man guy, so moving him to rover scares me a bit. If he were playing read/react behind 2 good disciplined veteran corners I would be really fine with this but, Wilson and Amerson still make too many bad decisions (for different reasons) it could be catastrophic. Wilson may not be here so he could end up behind Amerson and a rookie or a FA new to the system. Hall seems like too much of a gambler for that. I could be wrong but his personality/play style may be more of an issue than his physical ability. Depends on who's in front of him.

[Deadskins]

I'm kind of surprised he wasn't moved to safety last season, when we were so desperate at the position.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

I'm kind of surprised he wasn't moved to safety last season, when we were so desperate at the position.

Yup.

[HEROHAMO]

I'm kind of surprised he wasn't moved to safety last season, when we were so desperate at the position.

I agree with you but you shouldnt be surprised with how Haslett ran our D last year. Or it might of been Shanahan who knows? Whoever was calling our defense just was not capable of thinking of such a move.

Anyhow I also think Hall was our best CB. Just because of need we should consider moving him to saftey. Hall is still capable of playing cb but if we dont pick up an adequate saftey then by all means I am all for moving him to safety.

Heres a thought. How about bringing back Landry? If the price is not too high we should bring him back.

[Neo]

Last year when I was just lurking around here, I remember reading a lot of comments from members speculating how DHall would do at safety. I've always wanted to see how this would pan out as well.

When he's on, he's unstoppable. Shuts down the best in the league. Perhaps him playing at safety would further this and provide more consistency.

[Countertrey]

Last year when I was just lurking around here, I remember reading a lot of comments from members speculating how DHall would do at safety. I've always wanted to see how this would pan out as well.

When he's on, AND IN MAN COVERAGE, he's unstoppable. Shuts down the best in the league. Perhaps him playing at safety would further this and provide more consistency.

Fixed it for you...

[Neo]

Last year when I was just lurking around here, I remember reading a lot of comments from members speculating how DHall would do at safety. I've always wanted to see how this would pan out as well.

When he's on, AND IN MAN COVERAGE, he's unstoppable. Shuts down the best in the league. Perhaps him playing at safety would further this and provide more consistency.

Fixed it for you...

Hmm...

I would imagine at safety, he would be in zone coverage more than man.

[tribeofjudah]

Hall shined this year for us. Give him a shot at Safety.

[UK Skins Fan]

Heres a thought. How about bringing back Landry? If the price is not too high we should bring him back.

Tom Landry?

You can't mean Laron, surely?!

[Deadskins]

You can't mean Laron, surely?!

He does, and don't call him Shirley.

[DarthMonk]

Last year when I was just lurking around here, I remember reading a lot of comments from members speculating how DHall would do at safety. I've always wanted to see how this would pan out as well.

When he's on, AND IN MAN COVERAGE, he's unstoppable. Shuts down the best in the league. Perhaps him playing at safety would further this and provide more consistency.

Fixed it for you...

Hmm...

I would imagine at safety, he would be in zone coverage more than man.

The defensive calls that put corners in man or zone also put safeties in man or zone respectively. In the man case, the safety is either helping as part of a double team or he has his own guy - typically a TE or the slot.

[Kilmer72]

Interesting. I didn't know this. I figured that a free safety would be deeper and have a certain area to protect. In man I would assume you have one responsibility. I learn something new everyday.

[Hooligan]

Since I'm no expert, could some smarter football folks clear something up about a safety's responsibilities?

As I understand it, the safety (especially FS) is the last line of defense. He should try to keep the play in front of him, and even when manned up on someone in a double-team, he should be the over-the-top protection? Hall's bread and butter is tight man coverage and aggressively making a play on the ball. That seems a little too risky for free safety play, and a flat out liability if he's in zone. It seems like Hall is best utilized as a tight man coverage CB with a good FS over the top that allows him to aggressively play the football. Yes/No?

[UK Skins Fan]

You can't mean Laron, surely?!

He does, and don't call him Shirley.

Roger Roger.

[Countertrey]

Since I'm no expert, could some smarter football folks clear something up about a safety's responsibilities?

As I understand it, the safety (especially FS) is the last line of defense. He should try to keep the play in front of him, and even when manned up on someone in a double-team, he should be the over-the-top protection? Hall's bread and butter is tight man coverage and aggressively making a play on the ball. That seems a little too risky for free safety play, and a flat out liability if he's in zone. It seems like Hall is best utilized as a tight man coverage CB with a good FS over the top that allows him to aggressively play the football. Yes/No?

You clearly know more than you think you do... yes, I'd want to know that Hall has developed the discipline and patience to play over the top before I'd want him to play FS... it's not about talent, nor skills... he has both... it's about the head to play FS...

[DarthMonk]

Since I'm no expert, could some smarter football folks clear something up about a safety's responsibilities?

As I understand it, the safety (especially FS) is the last line of defense. He should try to keep the play in front of him, and even when manned up on someone in a double-team, he should be the over-the-top protection? Hall's bread and butter is tight man coverage and aggressively making a play on the ball. That seems a little too risky for free safety play, and a flat out liability if he's in zone. It seems like Hall is best utilized as a tight man coverage CB with a good FS over the top that allows him to aggressively play the football. Yes/No?

You clearly know more than you think you do... yes, I'd want to know that Hall has developed the discipline and patience to play over the top before I'd want him to play FS... it's not about talent, nor skills... he has both... it's about the head to play FS...

Perfect.

And in some situations, the FS plays flat out man alone against a TE or slot ... or simply a 3rd or 4th or 5th WR. Sometimes the SS plays straight man too.

[Kilmer72]

Then I guess it is safe to say that a FS that usually plays zone wouldn't be a good position for DHall to play? Why would he want to do that when he was playing corner so well this past season?

[Countertrey]

Then I guess it is safe to say that a FS that usually plays zone wouldn't be a good position for DHall to play? Why would he want to do that when he was playing corner so well this past season?

1: He has convinced himself that he is able to do it... maybe he can

2: It's a great way for an athletic cornerback to extend his career. It is certainly true that he has gained physicality in the last few seasons...