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As the 2009 NFL free agency signing period began, the Washington Redskins wasted no time improving their defense. Mere hours after re-signing defensive back DeAngelo Hall to a new deal, the Skins signed a player many felt was the most coveted free agent available on the market this offseason — former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. In doing so, NFL history was made on two levels because Albert is now the league’s first $100 million defensive player. He signed a seven-year, $100 million deal. That includes $41 million guaranteed in the first three years so he will also be the record-breaker for most guaranteed money ever given to any NFL player.

Source: Redskins.com, Photo: Newscom

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Albert Haynesworth Signs With Redskins

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Washington Redskins defensive back DeAngelo Hall kicked off the free agency signing period by re-signing with the Skins on a six-year, $54 million deal that includes $22.5 million guaranteed and $30 million in the first three seasons. This comes as no surprise. DeAngelo is still one of the best defensive backs in the NFL and his agents — Alvin Keels and Joel Segal — spent the past couple weeks negotiating with the Redskins to put the finishing touches on this deal to keep him in DC. And the Skins are rumored to be very interested in Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, so they could be making a huge defensive statement on this first day of free agency signings.

Source: Redskins.com, Photo: Newscom

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Redskins Keep DeAngelo Hall

The Oakland Raiders continue to be involved in the unfathomable. After giving cornerback DeAngelo Hall his walking papers and $8 million for eight games, the team will now be without receiver Javon Walker who will have season-ending surgery on his ankle after eight games. He walks limps away with $13 million even though he had a colossally disappointing 15 catches for 196 yards and one touchdown during that time. Unbelievable.

Source: SFGate.com

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Javon Walker Done for Season

As predicted, former Oakland Raiders defensive back DeAngelo Hall wasn’t on the free agent market for long. DeAngelo agreed to terms with the Washington Redskins today and if he passes a physical, he’ll be in uniform for the Redskins-Cowboys game November 16. The Skins are on a bye this weekend. DeAngelo’s agent, Joel Segal, was the only one offering a comment:

“He’s excited to be coming home, he’s a Virginia Tech guy.”

DeAngelo should compliment a Redskins secondary that includes top-notch DBs like Carlos Rogers, Fred Smoot and Shawn Springs. They’ve all had their share of injuries this season, but the Skins anticipate Shawn will return to the lineup after the bye. He’s been out for a month with a calf injury. If they’re all healthy at the same time, this will be a great defensive backfield.

As far as DeAngelo is concerned, he will have to improve upon his less-than-stellar performances in Oakland. According to data compiled by STATS, he gave up more yards than any defender this season and was tied for third worst in catches allowed. Hardly worthy of the $1 million/game he was making, but in his defense, he really hasn’t been close to 100% most of that time. If he can get healthy, he should return to his Pro Bowl form of 2005 and 2006. He’s only 24-years-old and has a lot of football left. The Redskins were wise to give him the opportunity to resurrect his career.

Source: Redskins.com

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Redskins Sign DeAngelo Hall

Former Oakland Raiders cornerback DeAngelo Hall cleared waivers today. No team made a claim on him (big surprise) which means he’s now an unrestricted free agent. Interested? Apparently the Giants, Saints, Redskins, Steelers and Patriots are. Naturally, DeAngelo’s not going to get anything close to what he received in Oakland, but he’s not playing for the money anymore, right?

Source: NFL.com

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DeAngelo Hall Clears Waivers

As anticipated, Oakland Raiders cornerback DeAngelo Hall was released by the team today. NFL.com reported “DeAngelo was practical, saying he understood and was not angry.” Of course he understands. My guess is he’s elated to get out of the black hole:

“This is a blessing. I have learned it’s not all about the money. I’ve learned now it’s more about the team. Ain’t all money good money. I took the bait. I went for the money and I didn’t research the situation. But I don’t think I would trade this for the world. Just to meet (owner) Al Davis, to get to pick his brain, to know the kind of person he is and the impression he had on football is good for me to say that I know him.”

It’s pretty easy to say it isn’t about the money when you’ve got $8 million in your pocket. Just about any player in the National Football League would serve their time in Oakland for $1 million/game. At any rate, several teams have apparently already contacted DeAngelo and his agent about playing for them. Which comes as no surprise. DeAngelo still has the ability to be one of the best corners in the game. He’ll be in a new uniform soon.

Source: NFL.com

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DeAngelo Hall Isn’t Angry

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Nothing coming out of the Oakland Raiders organization really surprises me anymore. Therefore, while I was not anticipating the team releasing their biggest offseason acquisition, they are, in fact, ready to give cornerback DeAngelo Hall his walking papers. And I’m not shocked. The whole situation was supposed to hit the fan today, but the Raiders are apparently putting it off until tomorrow for some reason.

If DeAngelo is cut (and all signs are pointing to exactly that happening), he will have made $8 million for his eight games with the Raiders. Yeah, I know. As shocking as that is, by releasing him now, the Raiders will actually save themselves another $16 million in injury-guaranteed bonuses. Financially responsible the Raiders are not, but it might be a good move. This is the same team that paid defensive tackle Tommy Kelly an NFL-record $50.5 million over seven years and receiver Javon Walker $55 million for six years. You wonder what they’re thinking. Ironically, both of these players are rumored to be on their way out in an exodus of overpaid talent.

DeAngelo will go through the waiver process but it’s unfathomable that any other team is as irresponsible with money as the Raiders, so he would become a free agent and be available to sign with any team of his choosing. There will certainly be interest. DeAngelo hasn’t had a bad year. Despite being banged up and playing in such a dysfunctional environment, he has a respectable 48 tackles and three interceptions. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots, Cowboys, Giants or Redskins show a sincere interest.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Raiders Set to Release DeAngelo Hall

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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.

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DeAngelo Hall Set to Join Oakland Raiders

Atlanta Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall was fined $100,000 today for his on-the-field penalties and off-the-field tirades this past Sunday in a game the Falcons lost almost directly as a result. I mentioned a couple days ago that DeAngelo would be fined. I just didn’t expect this much of a penalty. I think this punishment is a bit overboard. But the Falcons are very clearly sending a message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated in what has already been a very difficult season.

D-Hall was definitely in the wrong. He knows it and so do his teammates. It’s not a good idea to go barking in the face of your coaches in private let alone in front of the whole world on the sidelines. DeAngelo is a leader of this team and one of their best players and he let his emotions get the best of him. He just suffered some kind of complete meltdown. I thought it was really out of character and I don’t expect to see anything like this again. Certainly with the kind of cash he just lost (although he is appealing the fine), it set a new standard for intolerable behavior that effects the outcome of a game.

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DeAngelo Hall Fined $100,000 for Meltdown

Atlanta Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall faces some substantial discipline following his on-field and sideline meltdown yesterday in a loss to the Carolina Panthers. DeAngelo was flagged three times for 67 yards on Carolina’s game-tying third quarter drive. The Panthers would go on to win the game 27-20. This was definitely out of character for DeAngelo who I consider to be one of the NFL’s top defensive backs and a guy who cares about the image of the league. The Falcons are already is deep trouble at 0-3. And with a home game against the tough Houston Texans upcoming, they’ll really need D-Hall in their d-backfield, so it will be interesting to see if a suspension is in the works. My guess? The only punishment we’ll see will be a fine. I think he’s learned his lesson. After the game DeAngelo said:

“I made a mistake. I promise you it won’t happen again, no matter what. It doesn’t feel good to be the reason your team lost the game, whether it’s giving up a touchdown pass or you get a stupid penalty. It all feels the same. … Ultimately, I let the team down … The same things you love about me are going to be the same things you hate about me. The same fire and intensity I bring on the field, it kind of gets me in trouble.”

I love DeAngelo’s game, but he crossed the line by yelling at coaches and completely losing his cool. He’s human. It happens. But I doubt we’ll ever see this kind of behavior from him again.

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DeAngelo Hall Faces Discipline for Penalties