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DeAngelo Hall

Washington Tweaks DeAngelo Hall’s Contract

February 22nd, 2015 at 4:36pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After signing a four-year extension worth $17MM in February of last year, Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall played in only three games before tearing his Achilles and being placed on injured reserve. He later re-tore the Achilles in October, leaving his future even further in doubt. With that in mind, Hall agreed to a contract restructure that will eliminate his 2015 salary guarantees, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com.

The 31-year-old Hall was set to earn a base salary of $4MM next season. Per Yates, $1MM of that salary was scheduled to become guaranteed on February 15. At some point before that date, Hall agreed to tweak his contact so that the entire $4MM salary is non-guaranteed. If he makes the roster, Hall will make the same amount he was originally due. But as Mike Jones of the Washington Post tweets, the move gives Washington some financial flexibility if Hall isn’t back to full form when training camp arrives. It’s just my speculation, but I would guess the club told Hall he would be released had he not agreed to this move.

Hall will compete will young Washington defensive backs David Amerson and Bashaud Breeland for playing time in 2015. As Yates writes, the team is expected to target secondary help in both free agency and the draft.

Panthers GM On Veterans, Free Agency, Offseason Priorities

January 24th, 2015 at 6:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Dave Gettleman has already experienced plenty of success during his brief tenure as the Panthers general manager. Carolina has won consecutive division titles for the first time in team history, and their 12-4 mark in 2013 was the best finish by the organization since 2008. The Panthers finished an underwhelming 7-8-1 in 2014, but they still managed to get past the Wild Card round with a 27-16 victory over the Cardinals.

This offseason could be a big one for the organization as they look to take the next step. Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer sat down with Gettleman to discuss the team’s offseason plans, including the draft and free agency. The entire piece is worth a read, but we pulled out some of the more interesting highlights, which you can find below.

On whether it’s realistic for the team to bring back offensive lineman Byron Bell:

“Anything’s feasible. You’re talking hypothetical again. I’ve said this before, we look to upgrade everywhere. Because of my theory of taking the best player available, we’re going to take the best player available. And if it gives you a glut at that position, so be it. That position will be a hell of a strength. That’s the way we approach it.”

On how much cap room he’d like to have heading into free agency:

“Sitting pretty for anybody would be $20 million under. Here’s what people have to understand, you can’t spend all that money because you have to have your season reverse. And the season reverse has to be $5-6 million. You’ve got to have that. You always want to be in a position where if you get injuries and have to make an add, I don’t go to (director of pro scouting) Mark Koncz and say, ‘I need a receiver, and by the way we don’t have any money for anyone but a zero.’ And I’ve been in that situation when I was a pro (scouting) guy when no one was there.”

On when he’ll start discussing the future with some veteran players, including running back DeAngelo Williams:

“When it’s right. I’m not going to tell you a date. When it’s right. The biggest thing is, they’re men, they’re people, and I’m going to treat them with the utmost respect. The conversations will take place when it’s time.”

On the team’s biggest priority this offseason outside of the draft and free agency:

“The biggest priority is to continue to work the plan we’re working. To understand that it’s a process. It takes time, and we feel we’ve made strong strides with the plan. We’ve been patient and we haven’t pressed and haven’t tried to force square pegs into round holes. That’s the biggest priority is understanding that we’re getting there. You’ve got to keep working the plan. You can’t make emotional decisions or snap judgments.”

East Notes: Talib, Patriots, Jets, Hall

October 31st, 2014 at 12:00pm CST by Luke Adams

With the AFC East-leading Patriots set to host the AFC West-leading Broncos this weekend, it’s the latest chapter in the ongoing Tom Brady/Peyton Manning rivalry, but there are a few other subplots at play. One of them involves Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib, who was a Patriot last year, but signed a huge deal with the Broncos in the offseason and will be playing on the other side of the rivalry this time around. Here’s a round-up of East-related links, including a note on Talib:

  • Speaking to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, Talib says he “relished” his time in New England and came close to re-signing with the Patriots last spring. “It was a negotiation, and it came down to the language of the contracts,” Talib said. “I just went with what I feel was best with me and my family. I can’t remember the logistics and everything. It wasn’t bad at all. The offer wasn’t bad.”
  • In advance of Sunday’s showdown, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com takes a look at the differences between how the Patriots and Broncos built their current rosters.
  • With the 2015 free agent market for quarterbacks not likely to yield any long-term solutions, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News explores the Jets‘ potential options for signal-callers in next year’s draft.
  • After tearing his Achilles tendon last month and undergoing surgery to repair it, Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall tore it again and will have to go back under the knife, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Although Hall is still expected to be ready for training camp in 2015, the re-injury will make his recovery more challenging, and it raises some questions about his future in Washington, according to Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com.

DeAngelo Hall Placed On IR With Torn Achilles

September 22nd, 2014 at 3:16pm CST by Luke Adams

3:16pm: The Redskins have announced a series of roster moves: Hall and fellow defensive back Duke Ihenacho, who has a broken heel, have been placed on injured reserve; Minnifield has been promoted to the active roster; and linebacker Darryl Sharpton has been cut from the IR list with a settlement (Twitter link).

1:47pm: Minnifield will indeed be promoted to the 53-man roster from the practice squad to take Hall’s roster spot, Jones confirms (via Twitter).

12:37pm: The Redskins’ fears were confirmed today, according to Dianna Russini of NBC4 in Washington, who reports (via Twitter) that DeAngelo Hall suffered a torn Achilles in yesterday’s game, and will undergo surgery within the next few days. The veteran cornerback will miss the remainder of the 2014 season, Russini adds (via Twitter).

Hall, 30, avoided free agency back in February by signing a new four-year, $17MM deal with the Redskins. Only about a third of that money was guaranteed, so Washington won’t necessarily be obligated to keep Hall on the roster for the 2015 season, but I’d expect the cornerback to return to the team as long as his surgery and recovery goes well.

While Hall has yet to officially be placed on injured reserve, the team will open a roster spot when that move is finalized. According to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, the Redskins are leaning toward promoting cornerback Chase Minnifield from their practice squad to the active roster. However, Minnifield has yet to hear anything on that front (Twitter links).

For now, with Hall out, it appears Bashaud Breeland will be in line for a more significant role in Washington’s secondary.

Injury Updates: Sunday

September 21st, 2014 at 8:43pm CST by Rob DiRe

The NFL is almost through another week of football, and the injuries are piling up yet again. An unfortunate reality of the league is that no team will leave healthy from week to week.

Zach Links and Luke Adams have already discussed some of the bigger names to go down. Matt Cassel‘s foot injury paved the way for Vikings‘ first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater‘s NFL debut. Dennis Pitta left the Ravens‘ win with a dislocated hip, and Chargers‘ tailback Danny Woodhead could miss the rest of the season with a high ankle sprain and fractured fibula.

Here are some other injury notes from around the NFL:

NFC Links: Cowboys, Cardinals, Redskins

July 12th, 2014 at 7:45pm CST by Ben Levine

Newly appointed Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli will certainly have his hands full trying to fix a defense that was historically bad in 2013. As Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News writes, the 73-year-old coach will be looking to improve a squad that allowed four 400-yard passing games and ranked dead last in yards allowed.

The last time Marinelli was this high on the coaching hierarchy, he was the head coach of the 0-16 2008 Lions. That isn’t important to his players, who have embraced their coach’s passion for the game.

“Football is like a religion to him,” Anthony Spencer said. “You can tell in the way he talks about it. He is like a preacher. He believes in it so much. He believes that if you do the right things on the football field you also become a good person off it.”

Meanwhile, defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford respected his coach’s experience.

“He’s Master Splinter,” Crawford said. “Definitely.”

Marinelli elaborated on his love for football…

“I believe in everything about it,” he said. “I believe it really helps men. You help people this way. To come out and see men compete for jobs and try to help them be what they want to be, it’s something that is so important. That ability to compete every second of every day — I don’t know if you can ever live without that.”

Let’s see what else is going on in the NFC…

  • The Cardinals will likely hold on to four tight ends, opines ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss, but there’s no guarantee that the final spot will go to Rob Housler. The 26-year-old’s play during training camp will determine whether he makes the roster.
  • In regards to the bottom of the Cardinals‘ depth chart at wide receiver, Weinfuss believes that Ted Ginn and John Brown will be the third and fourth receivers, respectively. Walter Powell seems like the favorite for the fifth spot, but Dan Buckner and Brittan Golden are also in the mix.
  • Redskins coach Jay Gruden is preaching discipline, cornerback DeAngelo Hall said (via Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com). “Jay really preaches penalties,” Hall said. “Whether it’s false starts, whether it’s holding on the backend, anything. We have to play mistake-free football. Anytime you can do that in this league, you have a chance to win games.”

Extra Points: Jackson, Jets, Gilbert, Thomas

March 29th, 2014 at 10:25pm CST by Rob DiRe

While the Chiefs were originally thought to be potential suitors for DeSean Jackson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that the team has withdrawn their interest (via Twitter). Kansas City looked into the circumstances surrounding the wide receiver’s recent release, and decided to pull out of the running. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News added to Rapoport’s report, noting that the Chiefs lacked sufficient cap space to compete for Jackson’s services (via Twitter).

Here are some other notes from around the NFL:

  • DeAngelo Hall is excited at the prospect of Jackson joining the Redskins, reports Tarik El Bashir of CSNWashington.com. “Huge, huge, man,” said Hall. “If we could add a piece like that … he’s a threat whenever the ball is in hands.” Hall added that he would be willing to serve as a mentor for his former rival. “If he’s able to come here, man, I’m going to take him under my wing and just try to put him on the right path.”
  • Jets‘ owner Woody Johnson spoke about the team’s recent approach to the offseason, saying, “I’m not going to use the word ‘patient’ anymore. We want to do it now,” as writes Mehta (via Twitter).
  • The top projected cornerback in the upcoming draft, Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilbert, is scheduled to visit with the Jets, according to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter).
  • Versatile running back DeAnthony Thomas out of Oregon has scheduled a private visit with the Falcons, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The 5’9″, 170 pound back had over 5,000 all purpose yards at Oregon, known as a dangerous receiver and returner as well as a runner.

NFC East Notes: Eagles, Redskins, Ware

February 28th, 2014 at 8:48am CST by Luke Adams

While Eagles general manager Howie Roseman didn’t want to specifically address reports that his team met with Johnny Manziel at the combine in Indianapolis, the GM’s comments to Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com at least indirectly explained why Philadelphia might want to talk to a top prospect like Manziel.

“You never know when the opportunity is going to come to get a player,” Roseman said. “It may be now in the draft, it may be in free agency, it may be via trade. If you look at your notes and you haven’t met the guy and the head coach is coming down the hallway and he’s going, ‘Hey, how was this guy when he came out?’ – and you’re kind of going, ‘Help.'”

Here’s more on the Eagles and a couple of their NFC East rivals:

NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Hall

February 24th, 2014 at 7:56pm CST by Ben Levine

While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said yesterday that a decision needs to be made on DeMarcus Ware, he took it a bit further on today’s SportsCenter. As Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News writes, Jones is certainly not guaranteeing that Ware will return:

“There’s no question when you are where we are on the cap… and you have a defensive player that’s your highest paid defensive player, and he hasn’t been on the field much the last two years, that has to be considered,” Jones said. “You can’t have it all.”

As the Cowboys figure out what to do with Ware and his huge cap hit, let’s see what else is happening around the NFC East…

Redskins Re-Sign DeAngelo Hall

February 19th, 2014 at 11:34am CST by Luke Adams

11:34am: The Redskins have officially announced Hall’s deal, and Rapoport has the details (Twitter link): The four-year pact is worth $17MM, with a $3.25MM signing bonus and another $2MM in guaranteed money.

WEDNESDAY, 8:40am: The Redskins have officially confirmed their agreement with Hall, tweeting out a photo this morning of the cornerback signing his new contract.

TUESDAY, 3:09pm: Prospective free agent DeAngelo Hall and the Redskins have agreed to terms on a new contract, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). News4’s Dianna Marie Russini first reported (via Twitter) that the two sides had reached an agreement.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Hall’s new contract will be a four-year pact worth nearly $5MM per year. It’s not clear yet how much of that money will be guaranteed, but regardless, it’s a very nice raise for the veteran defensive back, who played the 2013 season on a one-year, $1.25MM deal.

Advanced stats haven’t been kind to Hall in recent years, and that trend continued in 2013, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 84th among the league’s cornerbacks (subscription required). However, the 30-year-old was easily the Redskins’ most explosive defensive playmaker, grabbing four interceptions and scoring three touchdowns (two on INTs, one on a fumble recovery).

For Washington, the agreement with Hall is the first step in bringing back several of the team’s notable free agent defensive players. Brian Orakpo, Perry Riley, and Brandon Meriweather are among the players eligible for free agency next month, and the team will still have plenty of flexibility to bring them back. Orakpo figures to be the Redskins’ top priority, with the franchise tag a possibility to keep him under contract.

We first heard two weeks back that Hall and the Redskins had begun discussing a new contract. Considering he grew up in the Virginia Beach area rooting for the Redskins, Hall’s decision to forgo unrestricted free agency isn’t a huge surprise.

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