The Raiders have agreed in principle to trade their 2008 second round and sixth round-draft picks to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for two-time Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
The deal is contingent on Hall agreeing to a new contract with the Raiders.
Hall was the eighth overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft. While attending last month’s NFL Scouting Combine, Hall told the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, “Somebody’s throwing something out there,” about a potential deal to the Raiders.
But know this is a fact: Hall was in Alameda yesterday for a physical.
Hall expressed a desire to be traded last month while at the Combine in Indianapolis.
ESPN reported Hall is seeking a contract similar to the one signed by Asante Samuel this month.
Samuel, a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback for New England, signed a six-year, $57 million contract with $20 million guaranteed with New England.
Should the Raiders acquire Hall, it would give them two of the NFL’s best cornerbacks along with Nnamdi Asomugha.
It’s also going to be one of the league’s most expensive tandems.
If Hall gets a deal to his liking, coupled with Asomugha already being the Raiders’ franchise player (about $10 million this season) that would be a lot of money in the secondary.
Not to mention the six-year, $39 million deal for safety Gibril Wilson with $16 million guaranteed.
Some are wondering how this helps the run defense.
Here’s how.
One of the big problems with the run defense (according to coaches on staff) was poor tackling by the secondary.
Hall is a good tackler and, along with Asomugha, would help shore up the edges for the Raiders. Wilson helps with that problem at safety.
The deal isn’t done, yet. But if completed, this would give the Raiders a new-millennium version of Mike Haynes and Lester Hayes – minus the Stickum.
-- Jason Jones
News, observations and reader questions about the Oakland Raiders
March 15, 2008
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