[Note by Skin Patrol, 11/07/08 5:13 PM EST ]
Promoted from FanPosts. Redskins signed DeAngelo Hall via the Official Site. I was very schocked the Raiders let him go but couldn't believe we landed him (on the cheap). Please let him replace Antwaan Randle El on punt return. I think he's probably an overrated corner, but we're not bringing him in to replace Shawn Springs.

Hey everybody, I'm a die-hard Redskins and have been for as long as I can remember.  This year's Skins team feels different, more competitive, and more cohesive than most others in recent memory, and I am just as excited as anyone to see this team hit full stride and really show the NFL what our team can do.  

Now, with the signing of DeAngelo Hall I have heard Skins fans wondering why we would bring in someone who is a me first kind of player.  A player who has been a disruption at every stop during his NFL career.  And on top of those personal negatives, there are football reasons for not signing him- the Skins don't need another corner.

Well I disagree with those who feel that way, and I'm going to tell you why I like the Skins signing D. Hall.  First and foremost, it's a one year deal worth just under $500,000.  That's peanuts in terms of NFL salary, and he is a former first round pick with incredible talent.  If he can just focus and be a part of a competitive team rather than the man on a losing team I think it will help him mature and contribute.  Plus it gives us depth and options all around the defensive backfield.  If Shawn Springs isn't healthy and heeds to sit out a game, we can run out Carlos Rogers, Fred Smoot, and DeAngelo Hall as our nickel defense.  Hall is a 2 time pro-bowler and Rogers is showing us that he can cover the elite receivers in this league.  

Another added benefit of this signing is Hall's punt returning abilities.  He is an explosive player who has experience returning punts in college and in the NFL- and this contract with the Skins is an extended tryout for him, an opportunity to make an impact however he can, and since he won't be one of our top 2 corners he'll need to be a difference maker in other areas.  This also lets Santana rest and not take the added wear and tear of returning punts during the season.  

My final reason for liking this signing is because it can give us safety depth.  Right now if something happens to either Landry or Horton, the Skins backup safeties are Mike Green who just joined the team, or the rookie Kareem Moore.  That's not very comforting depth.  But with the addition of Hall to our CB's, Shawn Springs can be an option at backup safety because we aren't as desperate for his services as a CB where we have depth now.

GO SKINS!