…Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth ($7,500) and safety LaRon Landry ($5,000) were fined by the NFL for their role in Sunday’s melee along the Atlanta sidelines. Landry’s role was a late hit on quarterback Matt Ryan out of bounds, that charged up the Falcons sideilne. Haynesworth ended the fracas by shoving a few Falcons.
However, corner DeAngelo Hall was not fined. He trailed Landry on the play and said he was shoved by a Falcons player on the sidelines. He could be seen jawing with a player after that and was quickly surrounded by a number of players as well as Falcons coach Mike Smith and director of athletic performance Jeff Fish. Both coaches at one point grabbed Hall and Smith was clearly yelling at him.
Smith was fined $15,000 while Fish received a $2,500 fine.
I was wrong in what I thought would happen to Hall. I anticipated at least a small fine considering he could have turned and retreated to the field, as Landry did. But there was no doubt the Falcons, and their coaches, made the situation much worse with their actions.
Hall, though, has had a rough week caused in part by his words. He did not help his cause by telling LaVar Arrington on 106.7 The Fan that he was disheartened more teammates did not come to his defense during the incident. He also ripped into Smith after the game and there were some references in the national media to a nickname that has trailed him since college — MeAngelo. But most in the local media seem to have taken his side in the whole issue, as far as what happened along the sidelines. The tape didn’t lie.
…By the way, yes, I have learned how to use hyperlink. Who knew it was so easy?
…The Redskins might be forced to start an offensive line of Levi Jones, Derrick Dockery, Casey Rabach, Chad Rinehart and D’Anthony Batiste. The only change could be at right tackle if Stephon Heyer can play, leaving Batiste sidelined. Regardless, it’s a tough lineup and they’ll be facing a solid pass rush.
Even if Jones is better than last year, you’re still talking about another guy Dockery has to get used to playing alongside. Chemistry is a major issue for a line and this group has none. It’s impossible to have it when you have barely played together. Heyer is playing on one leg and Batiste is not ready for a fulltime role if the former can’t start.
Rinehart said he’s worked on being less tentative when engaging defensive linemen, but that seems like something a player would have or not have. It bears watching.
…Ladell Betts did not practice Thursday, but coach Jim Zorn is optimistic that he’ll play Sunday. If not, then Rock Cartwright and Quinton Ganther will get the bulk of the work because Clinton Portis already is ruled out.
Cartwright fights as hard as anyone on the roster, but pass protection would become an issue. As if it wasn’t going to be one already. Behind this line, the Redskins need the backs to be outstanding in blitz pickups.
…Secondary coach Jerry Gray said, in hindsight, the coaches should have had the players tackle more during the bye week.
“We haven’t had one of those games where we made a lot of bad tackles or missed a lot,” Gray said. “That’s something we put in the back of our minds that we have to do a better job as caoches to say when you have an open week, come back and do a lot of tackling drills because one week does make a lot of difference.”
…Gray said he’s satisfied with the angles taken by Landry on run plays.
“I am,” Gray said. “The thing is the angles don’t show up until guys get in the open. Most running backs haven’t been in the open on us and this time Michael Turner and it showed up. It’s more contributed to being off a week and not practicing and not having had full contact. And then you go up against one of the better backs who has good balance. Most of those hits, most running backs would have been down. But you’re not gonna knock him off his feet.”
I disagree. Landry’s angles, a point of emphasis this summer according to safeties coach Steve Jackson, have been an issue. And his rolling tackle attempt on Turner would not have gotten any decent running back down. Landry has a ton of talent, but he still has a ways to go.
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