DeAngelo Hall Set to Join Oakland Raiders
March 16, 2008 by David Kindervater
Filed under Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders
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Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
As expected (maybe even sooner), the Oakland Raiders are ready to acquire defensive back DeAngelo Hall from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for the Raiders’ second round pick in the upcoming 2008 NFL Draft. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed yet, but expectations are in the neighborhood of CB Asanti Samuel’s recent six-year, $57 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders are still finalizing the contract, but according to an ESPN.com report, there’s already an agreement in principle.
Finally, Oakland is making sense. I haven’t agreed with some of their other recent offseason moves and they are now limiting themselves to only one Draft selection in the first three rounds (they still own the 4th overall), but there are are no corners on the free agent market or in the upcoming Draft pool that compare to DeAngelo. He’s a four-year veteran of the National Football League, but at the same time, a mere 24-years-old. The Raiders are getting a very young veteran.
I like this addition a lot. Oakland wasn’t in dire need of a defensive back, but by pairing DeAngelo with the outstanding Nnamdi Asomugha, the Raiders will have one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL. Plus, Fabian Washington is still on the roster, so all is looking up for the Oakland defensive secondary. Of course, I’m still scratching my head over the Tommy Kelly deal, but again, the Raiders are finally making a smart decision. Aside from his on-field meltdown in one game last season, DeAngelo had a great ‘07 with 70 tackles (career high), 16 passes defensed (career high) and five INTs. He’s an outstanding talent and a quality person despite his recent reputation for being a bit of a hot head.
Just when I thought Al Davis was going crazy…Wait, no, this is STILL crazy. Cornerback should arguably be at the least of the Raiders’ concerns. With Asomugha (sp?) and Washington they had a solid tandem. With all the money thats being thrown around by Mr. Just Win Baby, you’d think the Raiders would be filling holes. Hall is a top-tier player for sure, but definitley not needed. Go after what you need, Al. By the way, great blog, man.
Well, it’s a done deal as of today. DeAngelo finally agreed to a seven-year, $70 million deal that includes $24.5 in guaranteed money. In return, the Raiders will send a 2008 second-round pick and a 2009 fifth-round pick to Atlanta. The Falcons now own four of the top 48 selections in the upcoming 2008 NFL Draft. And one less disgruntled player.