DeAngelo Hall started eyeing a trip to Hawaii near the middle of the season. One problem: he hadn’t had a huge game, one that would stick in the minds of Pro Bowl voters.
Along came a four-interception game vs. Chicago. Along came a trip to the Pro Bowl.
Hall earned the honor Tuesday, making him the only Redskin slated to play in the postseason all-star game, held Jan. 30 — a week before the Super Bowl — in Hawaii.
Linebacker Brian Orakpo and fullback Mike Sellers are first alternates, behind Atlanta’s Ovie Mughelli. If the Falcons make the Super Bowl, Sellers would take his place. Orakpo is behind Green Bay’s Clay Matthews, Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware and Chicago’s Lance Briggs. So if the Bears or Packers reach the Super Bowl, Orakpo would head to Hawaii.
Linebacker London Fletcher, tight end Chris Cooley and Lorenzo Alexander, for special teams, are second alternates.
Hall will be making his third trip, having done so twice while playing for Atlanta. He’s the first Redskins corner to make it since Champ Bailey in 2003 and it’s only the third time in the last 15 seasons that Washington has had just one representative.
He’s second in the NFL with six interceptions and has two fumble recoveries. He’s scored two touchdowns, which turned out to be the difference in wins over Dallas and Chicago. He’s also dropped several other passes; coaches have estimated he should have double-digit interception totals. But the key for them: he’s always in position to make plays.
“I’m not surprised,” Hall said. “I left a couple plays out there that I probably should have made, that would have made this an easier choice or easier decision for a lot of others. But I definitely think I played at a Pro Bowl level.”
Hall said the Redskins’ new scheme has worked to his advantage because they play more zone than in the past. Ironically, all but one of his picks vs. Chicago came in man coverage. Playing zone enables him to read quarterbacks longer and it cuts down a corner’s responsibilities, allowing them to play for certain routes – and getting a better jump on the ball.
He also said he’s excited to represent the Redskins, saying he’d think of playing for them when he made it for the Falcons and would see players such as Chris Samuels at the game.
It took a big game to propel him there.
“The picks weren’t coming and I wasn’t getting a lot of opportunities,” he said. “Then in the Chicago game it all came together.”
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