A Refocused DeAngelo Hall Is Ready to Play With Something to Prove

Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, a two-time Pro Bowler, was signed by the Redskins eight games into the 2008 season after he was released by the Raiders. (Photos By John Mcdonnell -- The Washington Post)
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"Nothing like that had ever happened to me. Being released, people questioning my ability, my talent level, my focus," Hall said. "That makes you hungry. That makes you go back to the drawing board, refocus and start doing the things that got you there in the first place."

Splitting the year between two teams, Hall was still tied for sixth in the NFL with five interceptions, two of which came with the Redskins.

After playing the final six games in Washington, Hall re-signed with the Redskins in the offseason, a six-year deal worth up to $54 million, $22.5 million of which was guaranteed. Hall says he has matured in the year since he signed the mega-deal with Oakland, and entering 2009, he wanted to prove to skeptics that he's worth the money.

As the recent offseason came to a close and players began reporting to camp, Hall got in touch with Craig. When he was younger, the veteran boxing coach was a two-time Golden Gloves champ out of Columbus, Ohio. He briefly fought as a pro and served as a sparring partner for former heavyweight champion Chris Byrd. More recently, Craig has helped train Redskins players with boxing workouts.

He started a few years ago with Shawn Springs, the former Redskins cornerback who will suit up Friday night as a Patriot. In past seasons, Springs would undergo boxing training throughout the regular season.

As Craig's reputation grew, more players began seeking him out. Before Hall, he'd slipped gloves on Albert Haynesworth, Derrick Dockery, Reed Doughty, Mike Williams, Stephon Heyer, Rocky McIntosh and Jeremy Jarmon, among others. Offensive line coach Joe Bugel especially likes his players undergoing the training because of the toughness it instills.

But the others said goodbye to Craig when camp opened and two-a-days began, which is when Hall was ready to increase his workout load.

"Sometimes in this league, guys tend to fall back when they feel like they don't have anything to prove," said fellow cornerback Fred Smoot. "He's not acting like a guy who's been in the league for six years. He's hungry like a rookie still."

In addition to honing footwork, for cornerbacks and linemen, Craig says boxing helps players with their hands; that initial contact off the snap should have a lot more pop.

"When you shoot your hands, you want to get them in the right spot, put it right where it needs to go and with force," Hall said. "But really, I took this on for conditioning more than anything. I wanted to add another element to my game. I don't like to run on the treadmill, but I knew I needed to work on my conditioning. So this was an easier way to do that."

Motivation hasn't been a problem, and Craig says he doesn't have to bark in Hall's ear. Instead, it's Hall who's constantly talking about getting better, about the work he does while other defensive backs sleep.

"The main thing I noticed with DeAngelo is his competitiveness," Craig said. "If he's going to do something, he wants to be the best at it. I really think he could be a fighter, if he wanted. It'd take some more work, but you can see he has the tools and he has the work ethic."

Hall isn't shy about his athletic exploits -- from youth gymnastics to high school basketball -- but he laughs at the idea of being a pro fighter.

"Maybe if I cut 35 pounds," he says with a smile. "I can't go out there and fight like this."

Besides, his attention is directed solely on football right now -- and reminding fans, coaches and league observers why he was once considered among the top defensive backs in the game.

"I needed to retool and refocus," Hall said. "I feel good mentally and physically. Last year, I got a little lazy. But now I'm hungry again. I want to be the best. I just have to go out and prove it."