by David ElfinFiled under: Redskins, NFC East
Washington's DeAngelo Hall has been a top-10 draft choice. He has played in two Pro Bowls. He has more interceptions during his seven seasons than any cornerback besides Philadelphia's Asante Samuel.However, the 27-year-old Hall doesn't have a valuable piece of jewelery that Samuel earned with New England in 2003 and 2004: a Super Bowl ring. And that's what drives the Newport News, Va. native at this point of his career which hasn't included a playoff appearance since he was a brash rookie starter for the 2004 Atlanta Falcons, who reached the NFC Championship Game.
"Leading the league in interceptions would be nice, but it's not that important," said Hall, whose six interceptions are tied for second in the NFL behind Samuel's seven and are as many as a Redskin has recorded during the last 23 seasons.
He added, "I'm so over that stuff. Pro Bowls, they're cool, but they're not as exciting anymore. My rookie year that's all I wanted. Came out the next year and got it and the year after that. But I want to win **** games. As you get older, you understand that."
Hall is older and wiser after nearly seven full NFL seasons, but he hasn't changed the personality that has gotten him in the face of such opponents as Carolina receiver Steve Smith as well as Falcon coaches Bobby Petrino and Mike Smith.
"D-Hall's a feisty guy," said Carlos Rogers, Washington's other starting corner and Hall's best friend on the team. "He speaks his mind no matter what. It's his will to win, always wanting to be the best, always wanting to be that dominant corner."
His emotions are why Hall was so upset when Washington blew a 17-point lead with 16 minutes and lost at home to Houston in overtime in Week 2. The Texans' Andre Johnson made the pivotal touchdown catch over safety Reed Doughty with Hall nowhere in the picture. The next day, Hall demanded to shadow the top opposing receiver, an outburst that didn't upset his coaches.
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