Washington Redskins: 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time
By Ian Cummings
The career of DeAngelo Hall is a peculiar one. He was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. There were times over the course of his career where he looked like one of the best defensive backs in football. There were times when his talent separated him from all others. But at the same time, did Hall underachieve?
With the Atlanta Falcons, it’s an easy question. No. With the Oakland Raiders? Easy question, although, he only played in eight games before he was released. With the Redskins? It’s a little bit tougher to answer.
When assessing a free agent acquisition, value plays a key role. While Hall was a very talented player who flashed his athletic ability and coverage I.Q. often, the first long-term deal he signed with the Redskins in the offseason of 2009 contained $23 million in guaranteed money over six years, and $55 million in total allowances.
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So, taking the contract value into account, was Hall worth it? One can make a case that he lacked something in the way of consistency later in his career. But at his best, and at his youngest, Hall was simply electric. There’s no other way to put it.
In his first five years with the Redskins, he totaled 21 interceptions and 67 pass deflections, showing off his penchant for disruption in incredible fashion.
In 2010, Hall’s only Pro Bowl season with the Redskins, Hall tied an NFL record for an individual defensive player, logging four interceptions against the Chicago Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler. In 2013, he added to his turnover totals with three forced fumbles.
Over his tenure in Washington, Hall underwent a degree of development. When he first arrived, he was the bashful, bold defensive back who thrived off of his own natural talent and quickness.
As he grew older, he relied more on his experience and savvy to maintain an edge over his opponents. Whatever his methods, however, Hall forged a notable career for himself in D.C., and he most certainly lived up to the contract tied to his name.