SportsIllustrated.com: Break It Down: Dallas burns DeAngelo Hall

[Califan007]

http://nfl.si.com/2011/09/27/break-it-down-dallas-burns-deangelo-hall/?sct=nfl_wr_a3


The biggest play in Monday’s Cowboys-Redskins game came when Dallas converted a 3rd-and-21 just prior to the fourth quarter’s two-minute warning. Tony Romo rolled out to avoid a Washington blitz and connected on a 30-yard pass to Dez Bryant, who was being covered one-on-one by DeAngelo Hall.

After the game Hall slammed the play call, an all-out blitz that left Washington with zero safeties deep. The Redskins had brought the house several times against Romo on the night, including on the previous play, which resulted in an incompletion.

“Yeah, but sooner or later, somebody is going f**king figure it out,” Hall said. “You don’t have to be a f**cking rocket scientist to figure it out after a while.”

Here’s a closer look at what went wrong for Hall and Washington:

First and foremost, the pre-snap setup: The Redskins put eight defenders at the line of scrimmage, leaving three players to cover Jason Witten, Bryant and Kevin Ogletree. Dallas also kept two guys, Tashard Choice and John Phillips, split on either side of Romo in the backfield. More on that in a moment …

http://sinfl.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/cowboys1.jpg?w=600&h=300

All things considered, the Cowboys really did a nice job blocking. The five-man line slows six Redskins defenders, while Choice and Phillips each slide to Romo’s right to find O.J. Atogwe and Ryan Kerrigan, respectively.

“That protection gave them a little more time than I would like,” Redskins linebacker London Fletcher told CSNWashington. “We have to get there, and it definitely puts the cornerback in a tough position.”

While the Redskins would break through eventually, Romo has at least a split-second to survey the field — and even had a small pocket he could have stepped up into, had a receiver been open.

http://sinfl.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/cowboys4.jpg?w=600&h=300



The rest at the link...

[jivelikenice]

PLay call was dumb, but this confirms poor technique by Hall. I hope he focuses on this aspect of it instead of pointing the finger 100% at the coaches.

[Redskins Ruckus]

Hall had several mistakes during that game. It makes me livid that he is blaming everyone but himself. I have tons of respect for those who accept their mistakes.

[LD0506]

What a load...........

The play as called completely depended on the rush getting to Romo, period. You don't get him and your scrood, it is just that simple. A different call, a different blitz, you never know what might have happened but dumping it all on Hall is just dumb. Everyone knew they were bringing the house pre-snap, there was no attempt to disguise anything, and one of the consistently biggest advantages that any D has is uncertainty, if you let the O know what you're going to do you'll get smoked. I see other teams with a lot of movement out of the LBs and safeties before the snap, looking to overload a side and break a faster DB thru a gap, there was none of that. I don't know why people are acting all shocked at the outcome.

[SkinsFTW]

Bad playcall and the facemask was BS.

It clearly states in the rule that if you aren't pulling it, and it's clear that Hall is just trying to make the tackle and lets go, then it's not a penalty.

And I'm the worst Hall critic, I was totally against signing this guy at all but that play isn't really on him. He's never been a great cover corner, ask Oakland.

[THEREALTOR1]

I posted yesterday morning that it appeared that bryant was just standing at the LOS, facing romo (before romo motioned for him to run), and that Hall must have been running towards him and the LOS either trying to contain romo from trying to run for the first, or he was trying to jump the dump off to bryant so he get a pick/pick 6 (IMO the latter is what I think Hall was trying to do). If his only job was to keep the defender in front of him and in front of the 1st down yardage needed, then this play falls squarely on Hall, and he messed up. He took a risk, which he often does, and it probably works out 50% of the time, but this particular time, instead of just shadowing his receiver and making sure he didn't allow him to get behind him, he tried to jump a play, and he got burnt.

http://sinfl.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/cowboys5.jpg?w=600&h=300

[-JB-]

The Skins 3rd down defense had been best in the league through two weeks & performed well vs Dallas up until that 3rd & 21 play. Romo did a great job of moving right in the pocket when the majority of the rush was to the opposite side. Haslett tried to force Romo into a quick throw or get a chance to hit him, get a hand up & make a play like week one vs NY. Its that simple. Now because the play didnt go our way people are irate at Haslett ? I understand, in hindsight, it seems like a foolish play to leave Hall one on one vs Dez but isn't that what Hall wants ? The opportunity to go up against each teams best WR ? I dont get it. If the Skins get a sack, scoop & score on that play does Haslett get credit or does the player get all the credit like Kerrigan on his Int/TD on an all out blitz deep in NY territory. Same scenario, different outcome. That's why you play the game. Period.

[stwasm]

Frankly, I think this is what he gets for running his mouth the way he did. Target Romo's ribs? Maybe you need to concentrate on covering your man. Yes, it's a bad call by Haslett. God forbd you be required to do your job, MeAngelo!

[JoeJGibbs]

What a load...........

The play as called completely depended on the rush getting to Romo, period. You don't get him and your scrood, it is just that simple. A different call, a different blitz, you never know what might have happened but dumping it all on Hall is just dumb. Everyone knew they were bringing the house pre-snap, there was no attempt to disguise anything, and one of the consistently biggest advantages that any D has is uncertainty, if you let the O know what you're going to do you'll get smoked. I see other teams with a lot of movement out of the LBs and safeties before the snap, looking to overload a side and break a faster DB thru a gap, there was none of that. I don't know why people are acting all shocked at the outcome.

This is exactly correct. You can only ask your secondary to cover for so long. The ball is supposed to come out hot like it did the prior play when Josh Wilson knocked the ball away. It didn't because nobody got near Romo. once that happened we were screwed...

[cujo0264]

Hall needs to shut his mouth and NOT give any motivation to another player!!!!!!! Our run game sucks right now thats why we lost!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know if Hightower is the answer, where is Torrain?

[skins island connection]

This is the type of play we get from Hall, and it has good and bad outcomes. Dez's catch was a bad outcome, no doubt, but it makes me wonder if Haslett was trying to make a statement by calling back-to-back blitzes. And as another poster said, if you show AND bring a blitz, especially on consecutive plays, any half decent qb will find a way to beat it. It just sucks that the blitzes being thrown didn't have a bigger impact, i.e. sacks, etc...

[JoeJGibbs]

I posted yesterday morning that it appeared that bryant was just standing at the LOS, facing romo (before romo motioned for him to run), and that Hall must have been running towards him and the LOS either trying to contain romo from trying to run for the first, or he was trying to jump the dump off to bryant so he get a pick/pick 6 (IMO the latter is what I think Hall was trying to do). If his only job was to keep the defender in front of him and in front of the 1st down yardage needed, then this play falls squarely on Hall, and he messed up. He took a risk, which he often does, and it probably works out 50% of the time, but this particular time, instead of just shadowing his receiver and making sure he didn't allow him to get behind him, he tried to jump a play, and he got burnt.

http://sinfl.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/cowboys5.jpg?w=600&h=300

Sort of.
Vs. a cover 0 blitz, both the WR and QB have to be on the same page and the ball has to come out hot. Bryant was standing near the line of scrimmage because he's the hot WR on that play so he breaks his route off and looks for the ball immediately.
A CB in that defense is supposed to then drive on the route to be there when the ball comes out, then make the tackle or deflection etc.

Instead, D Hall drives on the hot read, Dez looks for the ball but it doesn't come out. At this time Hall has reached Bryant but no pass has been thrown. Then Romo buys some time, the CB and WR tussle a little bit and Romo sends Bryant upfield and the rest is history.

Hall did what he was supposed to do. The blitz got stuffed. I would be curious to see the other routes on the play as well.

I will say that Hall's biggest blunder was after he drove the route and the ball didn't come out, he got outside of Bryant. And not only got outside of him, but his hips were turned the wrong way making it impossible to recover or drive on the next pass. He had to swivel, then drive and by that time it was just up to Dez to catch the ball.

Once that happened he was done because there essentially is noone left on the field. Just Hall, Bryant and a lot of green.

Even though he is less to blame for the completion than the other parts of the play, Hall shouldn't have said anything and explained it as professionally as possible.
People already hate the guy, anything he says short of "I drove on the route and the ball didn't come out, and Dez beat me upfield." will be scrutinized.

[kubstix]

Yeah I'm sure Nnamdi and Revis could have covered Dez no problem running around the field for 10 seconds freely. You guys are pathetic. If you want to be mad at something, be mad at the fact that 8 men blitzed and not a single person blew through that garbage OLINE of the Cowboys. It's 3rd and 21 and a turnover on downs is a win, SOMEONE has to make a play on a 8 man blitz.

[Destino]

Hall needs to shut up.

Last year when Doughty was on Andre Johnson, D Hall complained that he hadn't been given the assignment. This year he gets Dez Bryant on an island during a crucial play and complains about the defensive coordinator. Maybe we should see if Wilson can handle the high pressure situations next week.

The last thing you want a highly paid corner to have is a "I can't do it. It's not my fault" attitude. You think Revis will be on TV anytime soon complaining that Rex Ryan was too aggressive with a play call leaving him vulnerable? They get paid a lot of money to come up big in big situations. Sure being on an island is difficult but you have to make the play... especially when everyone can see that you tried to jump a short route and got beat (something Hall does with or without an all out blitz). Would it have killed him to say "I should have covered it better" instead of throwing his coach under the bus?

Was it the coaching staff that caused him to get smoked by Fitzgerald the week prior? He's acting like a blitz made him give up his first big play.

[Jeffro]

Hindsight is A-W-E-S-O-M-E! Here is the truth though, from my opinion. The truth is, what is the risk calling that play? Romo's ribs were clearly preventing him from throwing a solid deep ball and if you can't trust DHall to stand in front of the reciever for essentially what should be a jump ball then I'm not sure what to say really. Go watch the play on NFL.com. Hall took the easy way out and played for the tackle, not the agressive play to go after the ball. He was slow in the middle of the field and didn't even attempt to pickup speed to close on Dez until it was to late and even then he still played for the tackle. Had he done that we *should* of had an interception or at least a broken play and we wouldnt even be talking about that right now.

I really wish people would stop blaming the defense for this loss though, the only reason we were in that game in the first place was because of defense. You can't let one questionable play discredit a very well played game and a defense that in my opinion has looked stellar this year, esp considered to how we played the 3-4 last year.

Give some credit where credit is due. In terms of DHall, he's good, but he's not elite and likes to make a heck of a lot of excuses for someone who runs his mouth as much as he does.

Redskins Vs Cowboys Highlights (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d8229b937/Redskins-vs-Cowboys-highlights) Fast forward to 5 minutes in the video and tell me that had DHall played the ball on that pass would be talking about a loss here?

[washedup2]

im all for creating turnovers by stripping the ball but he gives up chunks of yardage by trying to strip the ball instead of tackling. questionable call by haslett, but Hall has always stated he can cover the #1s, he had his chance.

[BackToGlory]

Again so many are not correct. Why don't you replay that and watch the lack of effort by Kerrigan. Had he NOT TAKEN THE PLAY OFF!!! he would have been where Romo ended up throwing from. The fact is Kerrigan caused this blitz to fail. Simple and plain. Kerrigan didn't really rush the passer and seemed very tired on this play. Anyone that can't see it after watching the replay needs to learn football.................

[JoeJGibbs]

Again so many are not correct. Why don't you replay that and watch the lack of effort by Kerrigan. Had he NOT TAKEN THE PLAY OFF!!! he would have been where Romo ended up throwing from. The fact is Kerrigan caused this blitz to fail. Simple and plain. Kerrigan didn't really rush the passer and seemed very tired on this play. Anyone that can't see it after watching the replay needs to learn football.................

I too wondered why there was no edge pressure and Romo was able to roll out of the pocket. That made zero sense to me. I didn't know what Kerrigan was actually doing. I just noticed that he wasn't there. lol

Edit: I watched it again. Kerrigan heads for the QB and appears to have a clear path, but the weakside HB slides right to pick him up. Had the HB plugged the middle, he would've gone after London Fletcher and Kerrigan would've been free. What happens instead is by Romo's design. By both the HB and FB slide protecting right it makes the free blitzer London Fletcher up the middle. Which allows Romo to roll right, away from Fletcher while the other 7 try to beat their man. The play was doomed from the start.

[Saqs]

Pretty sure they were instructed to watch for a screen as you can see both Kerrigan and Otogwe back off from rushing a bit. Kerrigan moreso as he COULD have had better/faster play recognition there.

What's done is done though. On to the Rams and learning from this mistake.

[Skinsinparadise]

D. Hall said last year he wants to be on the top receiver always. So i guess he meant only with help? D. Green was an elite CB he rarely needed help. Shutdown cornerbacks CAN shut down WRs on their own. Towards the end of the game against Arizona, D. Hall got burned too. Yes Dez and Fitzgerald are studs. But a stud CB can deal with a stud WR yeah even if they have an extra couple of seconds. We've seen in with our own team -- D. Green, and Baily. I never saw D. Hall as a stud but he talks so much you'd think he thinks he's elite.

If Hall wants to blame Haslett, i think the more responsible hit would be something like -- the call made it tough, I was out there one on one with Dez for too long, I still expected to make a play though, etc. then he shoulders some responsibility. His comments make it sound like no one could cover Dez without help, and that clearly isn't true.

[JoeJGibbs]

Hindsight is A-W-E-S-O-M-E! Here is the truth though, from my opinion. The truth is, what is the risk calling that play? Romo's ribs were clearly preventing him from throwing a solid deep ball and if you can't trust DHall to stand in front of the reciever for essentially what should be a jump ball then I'm not sure what to say really. Go watch the play on NFL.com. Hall took the easy way out and played for the tackle, not the agressive play to go after the ball. He was slow in the middle of the field and didn't even attempt to pickup speed to close on Dez until it was to late and even then he still played for the tackle. Had he done that we *should* of had an interception or at least a broken play and we wouldnt even be talking about that right now.

I really wish people would stop blaming the defense for this loss though, the only reason we were in that game in the first place was because of defense. You can't let one questionable play discredit a very well played game and a defense that in my opinion has looked stellar this year, esp considered to how we played the 3-4 last year.

Give some credit where credit is due. In terms of DHall, he's good, but he's not elite and likes to make a heck of a lot of excuses for someone who runs his mouth as much as he does.

Redskins Vs Cowboys Highlights (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d8229b937/Redskins-vs-Cowboys-highlights) Fast forward to 5 minutes in the video and tell me that had DHall played the ball on that pass would be talking about a loss here?

Cmon by the time that throw is in the air, Dez Bryant has too much separation. It doesn't matter. He was already chasing the play because he turned his hips to the outside, while Bryant heads upfield to the inside. There is no issue of him playing the ball or the man.

[Jeffro]

Cmon by the time that throw is in the air, Dez Bryant has too much separation. It doesn't matter. He was already chasing the play because he turned his hips to the outside, while Bryant heads upfield to the inside. There is no issue of him playing the ball or the man.

Go watch the play please.. DHall was running behind Dez 5 yards, the ball isnt thrown well and Dez pulls up and slows down to run more lateral to catch the ball, if you're DHall you have to see that Romo rolled out and #91 drops out of the blitz to cover the screen pass which is indicating the D didnt get to him. DHall was lazy on that play imo and my personal opinion is, had he been more agressive on Bryant that pass doesn't get completed. He gave me the info I needed in his press confrence, he said D should of got there. Which to me means, he thought he could be lazy in coverage, got burnt, and blamed the call/ref/Dline. IN truth he didn't do his job.

[JoeJGibbs]

Go watch the play please.. DHall was running behind Dez 5 yards, the ball isnt thrown well and Dez pulls up and slows down to run more lateral to catch the ball, if you're DHall you have to see that Romo rolled out and #91 drops out of the blitz to cover the screen pass which is indicating the D didnt get to him. DHall was lazy on that play imo and my personal opinion is, had he been more agressive on Bryant that pass doesn't get completed. He gave me the info I needed in his press confrence, he said D should of got there. Which to me means, he thought he could be lazy in coverage, got burnt, and blamed the call/ref/Dline. IN truth he didn't do his job.

I watched the play. I've seen it a billion times. You're completely incorrect. Theres zero chance Hall could've gotten to the ball because his hips were turned the wrong way when the pass was thrown. He's playing the WR incorrectly, and that's where his mistake was.

After he drove on the slant from Dez and they're just sitting around the line of scrimmage, Dez heads upfield and bends his route inside, but Hall drops his outside foot and turns the wrong way.
If his hips are the other way he can drive on the ball in the air, but once he did it how he did it, he was toast. Romo can throw the ball ANNNNYWHERE to the inside and Hall will never get to it.
And that's what Romo did. He just put it up and let Dez run to it because there's noooobody on the rest of that area of the field.

[Jeffro]

I watched the play. I've seen it a billion times. You're completely incorrect. Theres zero chance Hall could've gotten to the ball because his hips were turned the wrong way when the pass was thrown. He's playing the WR incorrectly, and that's where his mistake was.

After he drove on the slant from Dez and they're just sitting around the line of scrimmage, Dez heads upfield and bends his route inside, but Hall drops his outside foot and turns the wrong way.
If his hips are the other way he can drive on the ball in the air, but once he did it how he did it, he was toast. Romo can throw the ball ANNNNYWHERE to the inside and Hall will never get to it.

I'll agree that you and I are talking symantics and we both seem to agree that this play could have been handled better by DHall, likely leading to an imcompletion or at best, at least not a 15 yard penalty.

I will say this though, the image you showed is on Dallas's 36 yard line, the catch is made at the 49 you dont think that if DHall would have turned up out of that hip turn at full speed toward Dez Bryant who was in my opinion at a fast jog that he could have made up that gap? Again, I think we're on somewhat of the same page, DHall could have played it better for whatever the reason.

I wish DHall would have watched the NFL Turning Points episode of Dallas/Jets with Revis on Dez.. Revis had Bryant completely flustered and out of rythum. I wish DHall was move agressive.

[Doozinbrah]

Yeah I'm sure Nnamdi and Revis could have covered Dez no problem running around the field for 10 seconds freely. You guys are pathetic. If you want to be mad at something, be mad at the fact that 8 men blitzed and not a single person blew through that garbage OLINE of the Cowboys. It's 3rd and 21 and a turnover on downs is a win, SOMEONE has to make a play on a 8 man blitz.

This is exactly why the play was successfull.......5 seconds is really pushing it for covering receiver. This is not pop warner folks....Dez Bryant is a good receiver

[JoeJGibbs]

I'll agree that you and I are talking symantics and we both seem to agree that this play could have been handled better by DHall, likely leading to an imcompletion or at best, at least not a 15 yard penalty.

I will say this though, the image you showed is on Dallas's 36 yard line, the catch is made at the 49 you dont think that if DHall would have turned up out of that hip turn at full speed toward Dez Bryant who was in my opinion at a fast jog that he could have made up that gap? Again, I think we're on somewhat of the same page, DHall could have played it better for whatever the reason.

I wish DHall would have watched the NFL Turning Points episode of Dallas/Jets with Revis on Dez.. Revis had Bryant completely flustered and out of rythum. I wish DHall was move agressive.

Not really symantics, but basic technique. Once he turned his hips outside, he's beaten. Ball or man, doesn't matter but yea he could've handled this differently. If he's turned the correct way, he at the very least can try to make a play on the ball. Hell even if he just grabs Dez and pulls him down it's pass interference. They get a 1st down at the spot but we live to fight another down.

Revis' technique and strength is far superior to Hall's Revis understands leverage and his hands and feet work together as a unit much better than Halls.

[Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin]

Pretty sure they were instructed to watch for a screen as you can see both Kerrigan and Otogwe back off from rushing a bit. Kerrigan moreso as he COULD have had better/faster play recognition there.


That makes the playcall EVEN WORSE. That means that you're taking TWO guys out of coverage, leaving your corners alone and you're basically not even giving those two extra guys the full green light to generate rush. You're essentially picking the worst of all possible worlds, which confirms just how terrible of a call it was. You can blitz and not send everyone, what an idiotic move on 3rd and 21.

[ChampSkinsFanatic]

This isnt even worth arguing anymore. If you can defend this call in anyway such as giving the cowboys credit or blaming D. Hall something is seriously wrong with you. Stupid call threw the game away, plain and simple.

[Ynot]

Again so many are not correct. Why don't you replay that and watch the lack of effort by Kerrigan. Had he NOT TAKEN THE PLAY OFF!!! he would have been where Romo ended up throwing from. The fact is Kerrigan caused this blitz to fail. Simple and plain. Kerrigan didn't really rush the passer and seemed very tired on this play. Anyone that can't see it after watching the replay needs to learn football.................

If you heard the Kerrigan Interview he did not take the play off, The skins got burned on an earlier play by Choice he chipped the blitzer and then released. He was being block by a tightend and he had coverage responsibility it he just blew by him Romo could have dumped it off and there was no backup coverage! May have been a bigger play than to Bryant. That is why Romo dropped back right from the beginning with a slight rolled to that side. Hoping that Kerrigan or the safety would have just blown by their coverage. Both held their man in check from the dump off. They did their job. What we should have done was hold one safety in the middle of the field and that pass would have been intercepted.

[RichmondRedskin88]

Ya Hall should be blamed for a all out blitz failing and leaving him one on one with on of the NFL's best up and coming receivers. Ya that's all his fault. It was a stupid call. We should have had help on Dez so another receiver was forced to make a play. Ridic how some of you are willing to jump on Hall for him being outspoken. God forbid anyone saying there's anything wrong with something. I'm glad Hall spoke up. It means he freakin cares about the game and that he freakin cares that all he's hearing is he lost the game. The same people trashing him would be crying if he was gone and one of our corners got burned trying to replace him.

[scruffylookin]

Okay so now things are clear. Hall cannot be asked to cover a receiver one on one anywhere on the field. That's fine. Not everyone can doit. It confirms what most of us already knew, Hall is not a top shelf corner (though he's being paid like and talks like one). Looking for a younger and cheaper alternative in next year's draft should be high on the list of things to do.

Lesson learned. Next time Haslett has to back off and play it more conservative (can't wait to see the whining when that happens) because he's limited in the backfield.

[Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin]

Okay so now things are clear. Hall cannot be asked to cover a receiver one on one anywhere on the field. That's fine.

I would not want, on a 3rd and 21, to leave Darrell Green one-on-one against someone larger than he. It was a terrible playcall and not dissimilar from the one that blew the Texans game last year. Haslett refuses to learn. He also called basically the same play the play before.

The other problem is that in Cover 0, you're not giving yourself a chance to really make a play on the ball. You MIGHT get lucky or might breakup a pass but an INT is unlikely. But one of the points of rushing 8 is to cause a mistake. If the offense adjusts or a mobile QB buys himself enough time, he can get the ball downfield and the best you really can hope for is a pass breakup. To me, 3rd and 21 is where you want to try to rush (so blitz one, maybe even two) and then you hope for a safety like Landry being able to help over the top of Hall and pick the ball off if Romo even remotely overthrows it.

[BackToGlory]

If you heard the Kerrigan Interview he did not take the play off, The skins got burned on an earlier play by Choice he chipped the blitzer and then released. He was being block by a tightend and he had coverage responsibility it he just blew by him Romo could have dumped it off and there was no backup coverage! May have been a bigger play than to Bryant. That is why Romo dropped back right from the beginning with a slight rolled to that side. Hoping that Kerrigan or the safety would have just blown by their coverage. Both held their man in check from the dump off. They did their job. What we should have done was hold one safety in the middle of the field and that pass would have been intercepted.

Well everyone is blaming Hall, but who the F can cover a NFL wideout for 8 seconds? I don't care if Darrel Green in his prime, Deion Sanders in his prime, anyone doesn't matter no one will cover a wideout for 8 seconds. Sorry the Kerrigan excuse doesn't fly with me. Jones made a play earlier I get that but I would rather blitz correctly than have a rookie decide and cause this to happen I also saw the running back float protection leaving Fletcher the free man, Kerrigan is getting owned by a back in pass protection? Sorry that even gives me a worse taste in my mouth. I there are several ways to look at it, but to blame Hall only when the actual call and the judgement of Kerrigan to defend a screen is disheartening. Bad call, bad design, you don't leave anyone to cover Dez Bryant or anyone else for 8 seconds period................

[Saqs]

Okay so now things are clear. Hall cannot be asked to cover a receiver one on one anywhere on the field. That's fine. Not everyone can doit. It confirms what most of us already knew, Hall is not a top shelf corner (though he's being paid like and talks like one). Looking for a younger and cheaper alternative in next year's draft should be high on the list of things to do.

Terrible observation if your blaming DHall for this.

[The Sean and Laron show]

Any one else have flashbacks of Greg Blatche's blitzes that could be seen from a mile away? The NFL is all about DISGUISING blitzes, not lining up exactly where you're about to go.

Its baffling that after 5 poor snaps by the cowboys center, clearly showing that he was rattled, that Haslett didnt dial up more up the gut blitzes, or d-line stunts.

[stwasm]

Hall needs to shut his mouth and NOT give any motivation to another player!!!!!!! Our run game sucks right now thats why we lost!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know if Hightower is the answer, where is Torrain?

Talk to your offensive line about that one.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

In hindsight (I'm conceding this is HINDSIGHT), I guess the best way for Hall to have reacted would have been to stay off of Bryant in order to encourage a short completion and then just hope to slow him up until someone could come help him make the tackle.

[ChampSkinsFanatic]

Any one else have flashbacks of Greg Blatche's blitzes that could be seen from a mile away?

Thats exactly what I said, our blitzes are so obvious and then when they do come its as if they are trying to get blocked. Same way when Gregg Williams was here to. Gregg Williams never called prevent but I bet he wouldnt send the house on 3rd and 21.

[Park City Skins]

In hindsight (I'm conceding this is HINDSIGHT), I guess the best way for Hall to have reacted would have been to stay off of Bryant in order to encourage a short completion and then just hope to slow him up until someone could come help him make the tackle.

My feeling at the time,and it is now,is that DHall had good position. Had the outside protected and Dez in front of him. Before his latest statement,I felt like he did that DHall thing. Looked at Romo and for a split sec lost track of Bryant. When he took off,he just reacted and went downfield where he may have expected Dez to go. Just needed to keep an eye on him. Only thing Bryant didn't do on that pass play was call a fair catch,so I think DHall could have made a play on it had he stayed with him.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

My feeling at the time,and it is now,is that DHall had good position. Had the outside protected and Dez in front of him. Before his latest statement,I felt like he did that DHall thing. Looked at Romo and for a split sec lost track of Bryant. When he took off,he just reacted and went downfield where he may have expected Dez to go. Just needed to keep an eye on him. Only thing Bryant didn't do on that pass play was call a fair catch,so I think DHall could have made a play on it had he stayed with him.

Oh, I do too...I was just looking at this one step earlier.

Given the blitz we were executing...the closer to the line of scrimmage that Hall could have encouraged the completion be made, the better for us. So, again in hindsight, even if he drops 15 yards off of Bryant and then cautiously approaches him after the catch, it's preferable than running up to him and giving him a shot to make the catch at the sticks.

Now, Bryant might have run the sticks either way...but if you're the WR and QB there and you see a 10 or 12 yard cushion...you probably just complete the easy pass and live to fight on 4th and 10.

[Park City Skins]

Oh, I do too...I was just looking at this one step earlier.

Given the blitz we were executing...the closer to the line of scrimmage that Hall could have encouraged the completion be made, the better for us. So, again in hindsight, even if he drops 15 yards off of Bryant and then cautiously approaches him after the catch, it's preferable than running up to him and giving him a shot to make the catch at the sticks.

Now, Bryant might have run the sticks either way...but if you're the WR and QB there and you see a 10 or 12 yard cushion...you probably just complete the easy pass and live to fight on 4th and 10.

Agreed. Tell you what,(and I am using hindsight for sure here),that play just as easily could have been a tragic one for Dallas the way it went with the above conversation in mind.

[DCchillin89]

Okay so now things are clear. Hall cannot be asked to cover a receiver one on one anywhere on the field. That's fine. Not everyone can doit. It confirms what most of us already knew, Hall is not a top shelf corner (though he's being paid like and talks like one).



Buuuutttt he was probowl MVP and had 4 picks in a game last year!!

:jerk:

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Agreed. Tell you what,(and I am using hindsight for sure here),that play just as easily could have been a tragic one for Dallas the way it went with the above conversation in mind.

Yep!

[Hail_Skins]

What it boils down to, is if he hadn't run his mouth TWICE, it would have been just another miracle play by Romo. Due to his big mouth, it has turned into DHall vs. everyone else. Just plain stupid on his part.

[Califan007]

Anyone who thinks this article is blaming D Hall alone must have only read the article title.

Simply put, it claims that NOTHING about the play was executed correctly, not just that Hall didn't execute correctly. And even with the 5, 7 or 8 seconds Hall had to cover Bryant (take your pick on how long he actually had to lol), D Hall made plenty of mistakes that had more to do with that pass being completed for a 1st down than how much time Romo was given due to the complete lack of penetration by the defensive blitz.

If just one of the blitzers were able to effectively get past a blocker, the play most likely works.

If Hall doesn't bite quite so hard at driving towards the LOS and instead makes sure to keep Bryant in front of him, the play most likely works.

If Hall makes sure to get inside of Dez and keeps him between himself and the sideline, the play most likely works.

If Hall doesn't turn his hips in the wrong direction, the play most likely works.

NONE of that happened, though. All of it failed. And it didn't fail because it was the wrong call (which the article even says it was not the call to make in that situation). As Hall is saying now, no matter what the call is, if you can execute it sufficiently enough it WILL work.

The Redskins' defense--not just DeAngelo Hall--came nowhere near executing that call to any sufficient degree.

[paloosa]

So many people still blaming this guy or that guy for that play. Ok Hall took a chance on an INT and got caught but the blitz was picked up and if you look at where everyone was lined up you will see that McIntosh also took himself out of the play. He went inside and was blocked by the OT and bunched up with the two down lineman. The two guys in the backfield took the two outside guys Kerrigan and Atgowe to the rigth of Romo so he had a clear view and lane to pass the ball. So While Hall made a mistake in coverage, McIntosh also made a mistake in his angle to rush Romo. Also it looks like that the OT #66 (I believe it is Doug Free) has his hands outside of the shoulder pads and that is holding my friends. Just another example of how SI not looking too close at all the could of, would of, should of scenarios. They just make the case of how bad the officiating is. A missed holding penalty on #66 (Doug Free) and then the one that shows him rolling out clearly shows #61 grabbing and pulling on a Redskins defenders jersey. But I guess that is ok but they have to punish the Redskins for a 5 yard facemask and make it a 15 yarder.

[PeterMP]

Anyone who thinks this article is blaming D Hall alone must have only read the article title.

Simply put, it claims that NOTHING about the play was executed correctly, not just that Hall didn't execute correctly. And even with the 5, 7 or 8 seconds Hall had to cover Bryant (take your pick on how long he actually had to lol), D Hall made plenty of mistakes that had more to do with that pass being completed for a 1st down than how much time Romo was given due to the complete lack of penetration by the defensive blitz.
From snap to catch, it was actually only 5 seconds based on the game clock in the highlights.

---------- Post added September-28th-2011 at 01:49 PM ----------


So many people still blaming this guy or that guy for that play. Ok Hall took a chance on an INT and got caught but the blitz was picked up and if you look at where everyone was lined up you will see that McIntosh also took himself out of the play. He went inside and was blocked by the OT and bunched up with the two down lineman. The two guys in the backfield took the two outside guys Kerrigan and Atgowe to the rigth of Romo so he had a clear view and lane to pass the ball. So While Hall made a mistake in coverage, McIntosh also made a mistake in his angle to rush Romo. Also it looks like that the OT #66 (I believe it is Doug Free) has his hands outside of the shoulder pads and that is holding my friends. Just another example of how SI not looking too close at all the could of, would of, should of scenarios. They just make the case of how bad the officiating is. A missed holding penalty on #66 (Doug Free) and then the one that shows him rolling out clearly shows #61 grabbing and pulling on a Redskins defenders jersey. But I guess that is ok but they have to punish the Redskins for a 5 yard facemask and make it a 15 yarder.
1. You are seeing things if you think there was hold that is likely to be called on that play.

2. There is no 5 yard penatly any more.

[NoCalMike]

Re-watching the play it seems like Hall did have Dez locked down, it was when Romo got the extra time to scramble and he motioned Dez to take off, that is what made it impossible to cover.

When a WR breaks off a designed route, it makes it a lot harder for the CB to cover them 1 on 1......it is a lot harder to RE-act, than to act.

Hall was anticipating a dump off pass to Dez Bryant once Romo started to run backwards to avoid the sack. If your Blitz would have made it to Romo as quickly as intended, Romo either makes the dumpoff pass to Bryant or it results in an array incomplete pass, or even best case scenario Sack, and then 4th & 30ish.....

You can be mad at Hall all you want for some of his coverage during the rest of the game, but to me the blame on this play goes to 7 blitzing defenders being stuffed for the most part by a garbage Dallas O-line.....

If anything, the 'Skins should have faked the All-Out blitz, and sent more guys into coverage.

[THEREALTOR1]

In hindsight (I'm conceding this is HINDSIGHT), I guess the best way for Hall to have reacted would have been to stay off of Bryant in order to encourage a short completion and then just hope to slow him up until someone could come help him make the tackle.

I also was thinking about it this morning after I made my initial post, and in hindsight, romo probably wouldn't have made that completion if Doughty were in the same position that Hall was. Its not because 37 is so much greater of a football player than 23, but simply that they are two different "personality style" people. As mentioned earlier in this thread, Hall drove to the WR and took his eyes off of him to scope the QB, because thats how Hall plays, agressive, and constantly looking for an opportunity to break up a play (we've seen it go both good and bad many many times over). Doughty, however, IMO, would have probably been off of the WR when things began to unfold, either because he wouldn't have been able to close as fast as Hall, or simply because Doughty is much more disciplined in holding his position and letting a play unfold versus trying to jump the play and break it up (just as with Hall, we've seen this go both good and bad many many times over). Either way, he probably wouldn't have been in a position that would have allowed himself to get out of position (if that makes any sense), and hence he could have possibly been able to get inside of bryant after the ball had been thrown and potentially break up the pass. Or he might've missed the pass altogether and bryant could have simply run in for the TD, which fortunately would have given us more time on the clock for the final drive. See you just have to stay optimistic :)

[The Robert Griffin Experience]

DeAngelo Hall is the worst cornerback in the NFL and has been for the majority of his career. The playcall was "bad" only in the sense that DeAngelo Hall is far more likely than a competent NFL corner to get burned on such a play.

I would have cut him during the uncapped year; giving him that contract was ridiculous. Revis had 0 INTs last year because he covers people so well that nobody throws at him. Hall got 6 ints because EVERYONE tests him and occasionally him jumping routes like a retarded monkey gets him an INT.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

DeAngelo Hall is the worst cornerback in the NFL and has been for the majority of his career. The playcall was "bad" only in the sense that DeAngelo Hall is far more likely than a competent NFL corner to get burned on such a play.

Why even bother posting such a horrible block of text? I'm no DLo homer, but he is far from the worst CB in the league. He won us two games just last year alone.

[The Robert Griffin Experience]

If every QB could throw every pass to Deangelo Hall, they would look like Dan Marino.Don't be blinded by this "playmaker" bull****. He'll lose you as many games as he wins because he's a terrible cornerback.

[MLSKINS]

The play should have never been called. We didn't need to rush eight, five would have been fine. I know D.Hall is expected to make that play, but Bryant is bad match-up for him. Safety should have been up top on that play. Hindsight is great, but facts are facts and the fact is that we could have gotten some good pressure with five on 3rd and long, we have been doing it all year.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

If every QB could throw every pass to Deangelo Hall, they would look like Dan Marino.Don't be blinded by this "playmaker" bull****. He'll lose you as many games as he wins because he's a terrible cornerback.

How many games did he lose us last year? He won 2 by making plays (despite not being a playmaker in your mind). How many did he lose for us?

[The Robert Griffin Experience]

Hall loses us games by making it trivial for opposing quarterbacks to move the chains on us. Just because he has a few games with highlight reel INTs doesn't mean on average he's a major net negative. A large portion of opposing big passing plays are directed at him.

Statistically, every time Hall is targeted by the opposing QB he gives up a first down.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Statistically, every time Hall is targeted by the opposing QB he gives up a first down.

Wow, that's a good nugget there. I suppose interceptions and passes defensed don't count as targets? What about tackles short of the sticks?

[Hail_Skins]

Hall loses us games by making it trivial for opposing quarterbacks to move the chains on us. Just because he has a few games with highlight reel INTs doesn't mean on average he's a major net negative. A large portion of opposing big passing plays are directed at him.

Statistically, every time Hall is targeted by the opposing QB he gives up a first down.

Your not taking in to account all the times Hall has his man covered enough that there is no target. Which is more often than not.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Your not taking in to account all the times Hall has his man covered enough that there is no target. Which is more often than not.

Right...or the fact that ANY interception Hall has had in his career disproves his "stat" right off the bat. You can't ALWAYS give up a first down if you intercept or deflect even one pass.

[The Robert Griffin Experience]

Put this in perspective - if you complete 8 yards a pass as a QB, you're elite. Hall gives up 10 yards a pass. On average, Hall makes every QB look like Peyton Manning.

6 INTs is such a big number compared to giving up 40-50 first downs per season. Also FO actually accounts for this; they take into account passes that fail to get a certain amount of yardage depending on down and distance.

Again, you think a cornerback sucking at covering WRs (which is what a corner is supposed to do) is okay because he produces a few turnovers (and he produced most of those turnovers in one incredibly fluky game)

By this logic you think Hall > Revis because Revis had 0 TOs last year.

Or I guess everyone is so shellshocked by Rogers that people want someone, anyone who can make a routine INT (never mind that Rogers got torched a lot too)

[Hail_Skins]

I understand all the DHall hate this week, I do. He put an unecessary target on his own back. But let's face it, he is pretty damn good, and is a captain so he clearly has leadership qualities, (too soon?)

[TD_washingtonredskins]

I'm simply saying that I believe Hall does a good job of breaking on the ball and making plays. I also think he gives up plays, but you're 100% wrong to say:

"Statistically, every time Hall is targeted by the opposing QB he gives up a first down."

That's just wrong. Incorrect. False.

You could say that whenever a QB successfully completes a pass on Hall, on average it will net that QB a first down. But that's not even close to what you were attempting to state earlier in the thread. So, you were either lying or you're not able to communicate your point effectively.

[GoDeep81]

What it boils down to, is if he hadn't run his mouth TWICE, it would have been just another miracle play by Romo. Due to his big mouth, it has turned into DHall vs. everyone else. Just plain stupid on his part.

That's the long and short of it.. Hall runs his mouth, again, and now has the bright lights pointed directly on him..

[NLC1054]

The blitz had to get there. Doing that blitz twice, Romo and the o-line were ready for it. D-Hall did everything he was supposed to do. He gave Dez a cushion, in case he was going to run a go or seam or a deep route. When D-Hall realizes the ball is supposed to come out hot, he squeezes down on the coverage, not just to pick off and intercept the ball, but to also tackle Dez Bryant way before the first down. The rush doesn't get there, Romo points where he wants Dez to go, and D-Hall's pretty much screwed.

And whether the facemask was a bad call or not, it's safe to assume that, if D-Hall DIDN'T tackle Dez some kind of way, it would've been a touchdown.

That's pretty much how I see it, anyway.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

And whether the facemask was a bad call or not, it's safe to assume that, if D-Hall DIDN'T tackle Dez some kind of way, it would've been a touchdown.

I don't care about the facemask penalty. Once the Cowboys converted that first down, they were most likely going to get into FG range. If anything, the facemask penalty was a blessing in disguise as it expedited the FG attempt. I thought Dallas went very conservative there at the end and was surprised that they basically ran into the line of scrimmage 3 times and were content with a 41 or 42 yard FG. Had we gained 20 more yards on the ensuing drive and won the game with a FG, Garrett would be the one being second-guessed this week.

[Califan007]

D-Hall did everything he was supposed to do.

No, he did not. Hall himself is saying he didn't do everything he was supposed to do.

Hall should have kept Bryant between himself and the sideline. Hall should have kept more distance between himsef and Bryant even when going for the hot read. Hall should have kept his eyes on Bryant better. Hall shouldn't have gotten his hips turned around while trying to re-gather himself when Bryant started off downfield.

But all of those things would have been moot if the blitzers produced. And even THAT would have been moot if Haslett and Shanahan went for the safer play that would have almost guaranteed a 4th down.

[Enter Apotheosis]

That makes the playcall EVEN WORSE. That means that you're taking TWO guys out of coverage, leaving your corners alone and you're basically not even giving those two extra guys the full green light to generate rush. You're essentially picking the worst of all possible worlds, which confirms just how terrible of a call it was. You can blitz and not send everyone, what an idiotic move on 3rd and 21.

No it does not. If you don't account for the screen in that situation you are giving up an easy TD to the screen and you have to have someone accounting for the RB and TE in case they don't stay in to block. The role of Kerrigan and Atogwe on that play is far less to blame for things breaking down than the simple fact that Dallas' offensive line successfully held off five rushers for a full 6 or 7 seconds. An offensive line shouldn't be able to block four rushers for much more than 3 or 4 seconds under normal circumstances. Hall's critical mistake in coverage of playing inside technique with no help around him and no option to bump the receiver that far downfield only compounded the problem.

If you want to look at Haslett's decision to call the play, his mistake was in trusting his players too much and not considering the fact that the Dallas OL had more or less stoned our interior pass rush all game. A little more creativity in the blitz (e.g., stunting) could have made a world of difference there, too.

[ChampSkinsFanatic]

I need Sunday to hurry up and get here, let me be the first to guarantee that we are going to roll the Rams. Then all the foolishness about blaming Hall, Kerrigan, or any other player you try to pin that play on will stop. Haslesstt brains than everybody else should have never called that play.
If the players are in any way as pissed off as the fans with intelligence, we should destroy the rams.

[Win4us]

Does it seem to anyone else that we never have linemen stunts to try and confuse the opposing o-line? Always appears straight line rushes only.

[SirClintonPortis]

Dez Bryant might have even gotten a touchdown had Hall not facemasked him. If Dez Bryant were healthy, that would've been a ****ing touchdown.

Also, perfect pickup by the Pukes. It is SHAMEFUL that an all out blitz results in a small pocket for Romo and just enough time for him to deliver a strike.

[BleedBNG]

Hall Takes 'Full Responsibility' For 3rd-and-21:

http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Hall-Takes-Full-Responsibility-For-3rd-and-21/1f83e320-281f-4a18-bee3-d2d09d240374

[Ynot]

Well everyone is blaming Hall, but who the F can cover a NFL wideout for 8 seconds? I don't care if Darrel Green in his prime, Deion Sanders in his prime, anyone doesn't matter no one will cover a wideout for 8 seconds. Sorry the Kerrigan excuse doesn't fly with me. Jones made a play earlier I get that but I would rather blitz correctly than have a rookie decide and cause this to happen I also saw the running back float protection leaving Fletcher the free man, Kerrigan is getting owned by a back in pass protection? Sorry that even gives me a worse taste in my mouth. I there are several ways to look at it, but to blame Hall only when the actual call and the judgement of Kerrigan to defend a screen is disheartening. Bad call, bad design, you don't leave anyone to cover Dez Bryant or anyone else for 8 seconds period................

Well I guess you need to Fault Both Kerrigan and Landry for not running through their blocks of running backs and tight ends on that play. Imagine if they had let those guys go and Romo dumped it off adn the rest of the defense was in man to man not zone they would have been down filed before anymore could changed and got the first down. My response was to keep one safety at the first down area to react to balls just like that one thrown by Romo. If they had done that it would have been defended if not intercepted

[Hail_Skins]

The Turds made chicken soup out of chicken s***! It just seams that every other team manages to do this to us, and since the Moss bombs against Dallass, I cannot remember the last time we ate chicken soup.

[Califan007]

Dez Bryant might have even gotten a touchdown had Hall not facemasked him. If Dez Bryant were healthy, that would've been a ****ing touchdown.
When I used to play soccer, I once stopped a sure goal by the opposing team by hitting it with my hands out of bounds lol...didn't matter to me that I wasn't the goalie, I just wanted to make sure the ball didn't sail into the goal. My coach told me after the game not to worry about it, and said "When in doubt, knock it out" :ols:...



Also, perfect pickup by the Pukes. It is SHAMEFUL that an all out blitz results in a small pocket for Romo and just enough time for him to deliver a strike.

That was indeed pathetic :mad: :mad:

---------- Post added September-29th-2011 at 08:25 AM ----------


The Turds made chicken soup out of chicken s***! It just seams that every other team manages to do this to us, and since the Moss bombs against Dallass, I cannot remember the last time we ate chicken soup.

Kerrigan made some damn good chicken soup against the Giants :yes:...their right tackle blew his block and allowed Kerrigan to get his hands up for the deflection.

[TheGreek1973]

Like some others said, what ticked me off on this play was why Hall got turned around? Why defend the sideline play when you have no one in the middle covering you. A rookie can make this mistake but Hall knows better.

[Califan007]

Like some others said, what ticked me off on this play was why Hall got turned around? Why defend the sideline play when you have no one in the middle covering you. A rookie can make this mistake but Hall knows better.

Thank you :yes:...

[superozman]

I love how everyone is hating D-Hall for this. My goodness, people ***** just to *****. Hall covered Bryant on his route. Then after the original short route was run, and Romo kept running back (Because he knew 8 people were coming), Bryant turned, saw that he had inside position on Hall, and Romo made a throw where only Bryant could catch the ball.

Nothing was Hall's fault. People need to quit finding a goddamn scapegoat, and realize that if you score touchdowns when you get to the redzone or finish of drives, games don't come down to one play.

[Alvin_Walton40]

I love how everyone is hating D-Hall for this. My goodness, people ***** just to *****. Hall covered Bryant on his route. Then after the original short route was run, and Romo kept running back (Because he knew 8 people were coming), Bryant turned, saw that he had inside position on Hall, and Romo made a throw where only Bryant could catch the ball.

Nothing was Hall's fault. People need to quit finding a goddamn scapegoat, and realize that if you score touchdowns when you get to the redzone or finish of drives, games don't come down to one play.


The only one looking for a scapegoat was Hall.

[jinrey]

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219800 lmao check this out

[Alvin_Walton40]

The same play called three times in the row? I guess skins fans and Hase-lit (Steve Spurrier annunciation) thought the cowpokes would not adjust... they did and unlike Rexy, Romo can scramble away from pressure which he did.

How times in a row did Gibbs run 48 gut when it was working?

[Titaw]

Simply, it should not have come down to one play. In the first half we were in the Red Zone twice, once off a turnover recovered at the 10, and we came away with 3 points and a blocked/botched field goal. We had a drive that made it to the 25 and stalled as well and we had to settle for three. All in the first half. If we convert one of those drives into a TD or make the FG we don't lose that game and we aren't talking about the 3rd and 21 play, we're talking about going 4-0 into the bye.