Report: Redskins may cut cornerback DeAngelo Hall
For years, DeAngelo Hall has widely been considered one of the most vocal defensive backs in the NFL. In October, for instance, the Washington Redskins' cornerback was ejected from a loss to the Steelers after he removed his helmet and scolded an official for flagging him with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
In 2012, however, Hall had little to brag about. The three-time Pro Bowl cornerback placed near the bottom of the league in several individual categories, as the Redskins ended the regular season ranked 30th in the NFL in defending the pass. On Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the Redskins could be leaning toward releasing the flamboyant corner.
The potential move wouldn't come as a surprise. Days after the Redskins' season-ending loss to the Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, Hall indicated that he would consider restructuring his contract. The 10-year veteran is set to make $7.5 million in 2013.
“This thing is getting right where it needs to be,” Hall told the Washington Post. “Like I said, whatever I've got to do to be here, I'm going to try to do that.”
Hall's $7.5 million base salary for next season places him in the top 10 of all cornerbacks in the league. He is set to carry an $8.0 million cap hit for 2013, which increases to $9.5 million in 2014, the final season of his six-year, $55.0 million contract. The Redskins, who are reportedly four million over the cap, could sorely use the additional space.
Despite Hall's lucrative contract, the former Virginia Tech cornerback arguably posted some of the most underwhelming numbers of his career last season. Hall surrendered 374 yards after the catch, the third-highest among all cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus, and allowed a catch rate of 67.0 percent in 2012. It could explain why Hall was targeted 112 times, a figure that tied him with Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis for the second-highest in the league.
Hall still remains effective when used in defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's blitz packages. Last season, Hall recorded 11 quarterback hurries, Pro Football Focus found. Broncos cornerback Chris Harris, who ranked second in the category, finished the regular season with six.
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