"Hall knows he must press to impress"

[650raider]

this article is from sfgate.com....i couldnt post the link so i copy&pasted it......



"Raiders cornerback DeAngelo Hall isn't afraid to man up. It's just not as easy as he supposed.

Hall said it's been a struggle to learn the Raiders' way of playing defense, where the cornerbacks apply press coverage in man-on-man situations. If they're not in someone's eye black, they're not trying hard enough.

"I'm probably not playing the way I think I should be right now, but it's a little bit of a learning curve," said Hall, who was traded to Oakland from Atlanta in March. "I'm not doing the same things I'm used to doing."

It's taken a quarter of the season, but Hall thinks he's getting there. Everyone can decide for themselves Sunday, when the Raiders go to New Orleans to face the hottest quarterback in the NFL, Drew Brees.

Every Raiders opponent has thrown more to Hall than the other starting cornerback, whether it's been Nnamdi Asomugha or injury fill-in Chris Johnson.

Too many times, Hall gave up a completion because he was too far back in cushion coverage.

Hall pointed to training camp, when he either bruised, sprained or broke a bone in his right hand, depending on the medical opinion (he sought three). He also said this week his ankle bothered him, which wasn't previously revealed.

"I was a little banged up," Hall said. "I didn't feel comfortable up there pressing every single play. I couldn't really use my hands (or) I would have just been up there, getting in a track meet every play.

"They were able to dink and dunk it and hit some underneath on me so all you can do is come up and make the tackle."

Hall had more support staff in four seasons with Atlanta, which uses a cover 2 defense. He had 17 interceptions and two Pro Bowl invitations.

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said the Raiders "absolutely" believe in press coverage still, so Hall knows he's the one who must adjust. After all, that's why the Raiders are paying up to $70 million over seven years.

"You'll get the hang of it," said Hall, who has interceptions in consecutive games. "I'm just trying to learn exactly what this defense wants me to do."

[raiderroo]

Hopefully he can get it right starting tomorrow.

[BlackHeart]

Sounds more like excuses to me.

[raiderroo]

Originally Posted by BlackHeart

Sounds more like excuses to me.

Yeah kinda does. Still hopefully he can get it right.

[RussianMan]

come down guys its his first year in silver and black he will learn its not like every corner was pro here before they got here its even took namdi few years

[cad]

excuses to me as well, he said he likes aggressive man coverage, he was meant to be top 5 in the league at doing so, perhaps injuries made him play off, but still if he is feeling ok now his contract suggests the Saints should be contained, i knew he was overrated when the Raiders acquired him but still he has alot of potential, in my opinion he will be our guy and be a solid player for us, alot of his success also depends on Asomugha being here for the long haul imo

[Salamander Way]

He needs to stay out of the lime light and focus on his game imo.

[BK]

I don't take what he said as an excuse, I think he's simply being realistic! This is a totally new defensive system for him and he's never been asked to play so much man to man before in his career. He'll catch on when he does, we'll have the best CB tandem in the league!

[Assassin76]

I'll tell you what the defense wants from you D-HALL they want you to be able to cover rookie wr and veteren ones as well. They want you up in a WR face and make him earn that route and they want you to make plays all the things that come with being a corner remember that postion you have been playing all you're life?

[raiders7965]

him giving a 15 yard cushion when its 1st and goal at the 8 yard line is retarded however he wants to spin it.

[JRaider17]

We'll see tomorrow...

I mean when you give the receiver a 10 yard cushion, they are going to make plays on you.

[HBD]

Originally Posted by Assassin76

I'll tell you what the defense wants from you D-HALL they want you to be able to cover rookie wr and veteren ones as well. They want you up in a WR face and make him earn that route and they want you to make plays all the things that come with being a corner remember that postion you have been playing all you're life?

... AND cut down on the f'n cushion that you can park a bus in !

[Raiderjersey]

it amazes me that we pay a guy this kind of coin to not have experience playing the type of defense we play. we are paying him to LEARN. he better pan out or we wasted too much money again.

[Salamander Way]

Originally Posted by Raiderjersey

it amazes me that we pay a guy this kind of coin to not have experience playing the type of defense we play. we are paying him to LEARN. he better pan out or we wasted too much money again.

Him and Javon = until proven otherwise