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Welcome And Worry For the Redskins
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"Corners, we're going to watch other corners," Smoot said. "We're going to always look and see who's playing well. He's always been one of them corners he plays well. Very fast, very talkative, he fits in this group very well."
To make room for Hall on the 53-man roster, the Redskins released nickel cornerback Leigh Torrence, also a key contributor on special teams, who was popular with teammates because of his work ethic and selfless approach. Hall, a part-time punt returner for two seasons with the Falcons, might be required to play some special teams, Zorn said, but Antwaan Randle El remains the team's lead punt returner.
Hall has 20 interceptions in 65 career games, including three interceptions in eight games this season, and has returned two for touchdowns in his career. He takes risks in coverage, and according to STATS Inc., was susceptible to major breakdowns with the Raiders. Offenses have thrown at Hall 66 times this season, completing 40 passes for 552 yards.
"That's the only way you get to the Pro Bowl. You take calculated risks," secondary coach Jerry Gray said. "You don't take riverboat-gambling risks. You've got to have a guy that understands what risks he can take and what risks he can't take.
"I've never been around a great corner that didn't take risks. You can't play it safe all the time, but you can't throw all your money it at one time either."
Hall wants to fit in, he said often yesterday, and he has a clean slate with Washington, several Redskins team leaders said.
"You always give anybody the benefit of the doubt, when they come in, that they're a professional," said defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, one of the Redskins' six captains. "This is a professional sport, and you have to trust that guys are going to come in with the right attitude and do things the right way.
"But as far as what happened in the past and what people [in the media] say about him, I don't know if that's stuff true or not. But I do know that he's in our locker room right now, and you have to give him a chance to fit in. I think he will."
In the first team meeting after the bye, Zorn encouraged players to reach out to Hall and teach him how the close-knit squad functions. "He will," Zorn said, "have to earn his teammates' respect."
