D Hall Wants to Play Safety

[Neo]

Wouldn't Hall playing safety put him more into a zone coverage type scheme? Sorry if someone already mentioned this, but zone coverage seems to be where Hall gets into trouble. Its man coverage that he shuts people down.

[Countertrey]

Wouldn't Hall playing safety put him more into a zone coverage type scheme? Sorry if someone already mentioned this, but zone coverage seems to be where Hall gets into trouble. Its man coverage that he shuts people down.

This. I think Hall plays a very opportunistic game. If he's got to watch an AREA of the field, he can't focus on jumping routes... and, Hall likes to jump routes... he gets complacent playing zone... but he loves the challenge of man.

On the other hand, playing zone from the back end is a LOT different than playing zone on the corner...

[Neo]

Wouldn't Hall playing safety put him more into a zone coverage type scheme? Sorry if someone already mentioned this, but zone coverage seems to be where Hall gets into trouble. Its man coverage that he shuts people down.

This. I think Hall plays a very opportunistic game. If he's got to watch an AREA of the field, he can't focus on jumping routes... and, Hall likes to jump routes... he gets complacent playing zone... but he loves the challenge of man.

On the other hand, playing zone from the back end is a LOT different than playing zone on the corner...

Solid point. Maybe they'll play around with this in the pre-season. At least we could see how it might work out or not in a couple years.

Just my guess, I think we'll see Hall slow down in about 2yrs. I could be wrong, but if he were to do a good showing at Safety, and his corner skills slightly decline, I'd be ok with the switch.

For now, he's our best corner, Amerson seems to feed off his energy, and there's good Safeties in FA as well as the draft.

With Allen having the mind set of switching about "20 players", I think Hall is set where he is.

[DarthMonk]

Well ... here we are.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Haven't we been there for at least the last month?

[Countertrey]

Well ... here we are.

Bonus...
I am thrilled with this move... Thrilled with the results...!

[Deadskins]

Well, if he wants to, then we should let him.

[riggofan]

So cool. I didn't think we'd ever see this happen. I'm thinking DHall extends his career with the Skins as a safety next year too.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

So cool. I didn't think we'd ever see this happen. I'm thinking DHall extends his career with the Skins as a safety next year too.

Isn't that what Woodson did in Oakland?


Why is this new news? He's been playing Safety most the year hasn't he?

[riggofan]

So cool. I didn't think we'd ever see this happen. I'm thinking DHall extends his career with the Skins as a safety next year too.

Isn't that what Woodson did in Oakland?


Why is this new news? He's been playing Safety most the year hasn't he?

Yeah, but he's been playing safety really WELL the past few weeks. Think that's why people really started to notice.

You're right about Woodson. I think you'll see from this thread though (I didn't check the dates), but I swear we've been talking about D Hall to safety for like the past three years. Didn't seem like it was ever going to happen.

He's been such a good Redskin, team leader, etc; I'd love to see this work out and have him around for longer in a new role.

[DarthMonk]

So cool. I didn't think we'd ever see this happen. I'm thinking DHall extends his career with the Skins as a safety next year too.

Isn't that what Woodson did in Oakland?


Why is this new news? He's been playing Safety most the year hasn't he?

It's not. If it were new news I'd've started a new thread.

He pretty much started playing safety this year week 10 against the Saints:

DeAngelo Hall embraces move to safety, still views himself as a corner

John Keim
ESPN Staff Writer

ASHBURN, Va. -- The move wasn’t shocking, not with the other players the Washington Redskins had at corner. And moving DeAngelo Hall from corner to safety is a possibility that had been discussed periodically over the past several years. It also happened to be the correct one.

The question is: How long will it last? Hall is 32 years old, but coming off a torn Achilles tendon in 2014 and various injuries this season, including a sprained toe that sidelined him for five games. But he's played corner for 12 seasons, earning trips to three Pro Bowls.

“I think I’m a corner playing safety right now,” Hall said. “Who knows what the future holds.”

The Redskins have depth at corner with starters Chris Culliver and Bashaud Breeland and backups Will Blackmon and Kyshoen Jarrett. They do not have the same depth at safety. Hence, Hall's move to safety. The Redskins aren't ready to say if that was a one-week deal or a permanent switch. But Hall said Wednesday that he's part of their dime or six-defensive back package as a safety.

That’s where he played all 18 of his snaps against New Orleans, mostly in the Redskins’ dime package.

Monday, coach Jay Gruden said of the move, “You look at the success that [Charles] Woodson is having at Oakland... He can play until he's probably 45. He's playing unbelievable. D-Hall has similar-type ball skills and that's what you look for in a free safety. We have two corners that are playing pretty good so there's a chance he'll get work at free safety. We're not throwing him to the curb at corner by any stretch. But it'd be a great transition for him because of his athletic ability and his ball skills."

To make that transition, a corner must be smart and tough. The brains become important because they need to learn the game from a different position and a safety must make calls and be aware of what the entire offense is doing, not just one side. It’s not as simple as saying, "He can cover at corner therefore he can play safety."

“It’s a whole different mindset,” Hall said. “At corner everything happens so fast, you have to be quick trigger. You worry about that one guy and sometimes if you’re good, you can worry about him and the quarterback. At free safety, you have to worry about everyone on that offense. You have to be the safety valve; if something pops up you have to make the tackle. You’re making a lot of checks and lining guys up. You have to be the quarterback of the defense. It’s real different. I enjoy it. I’m embracing it and enjoying the challenge.”

Hall provides Washington an advantage because he can still run and cover, especially if asked to do so in a deep half as the Redskins typically had him play against the Saints. But Hall has spent his career reading quarterbacks. However, playing safety requires more than just playing pass defense. To play there full time, you have to learn to defend the run from a different spot. It’s not impossible, but it’s also not easy.

“It’s not just playing the post [route],” Hall said. “Sometimes you have to get in there and fill run gaps. That’s the tricky part.”

But if the Redskins continue to have depth at corner, then having Hall play safety provides versatility and options that did not exist two weeks ago. Putting Hall with Dashon Goldson, who is not as fast, cuts down the amount of space needed to cover. Last week, for example, Goldson cheated more to a side with Hall on the other side and took away Saints quarterback Drew Brees' first option, leading to a sack.

“They’re trying to find ways to get me on the field and put me in position to make plays,” Hall said. “What better way than to play safety where you can roam the field and make plays reading the quarterback? We’ll try to keep growing my knowledge and seeing how much I can handle.”

Plus right before Philly looked like a good time to resurrect the thread. Teams need extra cover guys against Philly and D Hall seemed primed for a big game.

I think he had one.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

So cool. I didn't think we'd ever see this happen. I'm thinking DHall extends his career with the Skins as a safety next year too.

Isn't that what Woodson did in Oakland?


Why is this new news? He's been playing Safety most the year hasn't he?

Yeah, but he's been playing safety really WELL the past few weeks. Think that's why people really started to notice.

You're right about Woodson. I think you'll see from this thread though (I didn't check the dates), but I swear we've been talking about D Hall to safety for like the past three years. Didn't seem like it was ever going to happen.

He's been such a good Redskin, team leader, etc; I'd love to see this work out and have him around for longer in a new role.

Oh I know, we've been trying to dictate that move on here for a MINUTE now!!

Totally agree tho, I'm a big Hall fan myself... He is a baller, and gets people FIRED UP!!! I hope the transition is a benefit to him and our D, that'd be awesome!

[Countertrey]

I have an idea! Let's have Hall play Safety, to keep him in the game, and extend his career!

[SkinsJock]

I have an idea! Let's have Hall play Safety, to keep him in the game, and extend his career!

I mean - it's really a no-brainer ... let's give it a try - what do we have to lose ...

[Deadskins]

I have an idea! Let's have Hall play Safety, to keep him in the game, and extend his career!

I mean - it's really a no-brainer ... let's give it a try - what do we have to lose ...

That's what I sad. If he wants to do it, we should let him.

[Countertrey]

Insert "dab" here...

[DarthMonk]

DeAngelo Hall - DB - Redskins

CSN Mid-Atlantic's Tarik El-Bashir believes DeAngelo Hall has one of the starting safety spots locked down.

The Washington Post said the same in early April. The real question will come at the other safety position, where ex-Bronco David Bruton, run-stuffer Duke Ihenacho, and second-round pick Su'a Cravens will do battle in training camp.

Source: CSN Mid-Atlantic May 21 - 10:43 AM

I love the way our defense is shaping up.