Hadley on Hall trade

[RamWraith]

Wednesday, April 25, 2007
THE RAMMIES CONTINUE TINKERING


Wait and see with Hall

DANTE HALL: The response to the Rams trading for Hall has derive instant and passionate response.

Over the last three seasons: Hall ranks 15th in kickoff return average and 26th in punt return average in the NFL. Over the last two seasons, Hall ranks 21st in kickoff return average and 29th in punt return average.

Over the last two seasons. he has the same number of KO return touchdowns as Chris Johnson. Last season Willie Ponder averaged 23.3 per KO return. Hall averaged 22.8.

Hall was last a dominant punt return specialist in the first half of the 2004 season.

In fact, from 2002 through mid-season of the 2004 season. Hall averaged 14.5 yards per punt return with four touchdowns. Since that point, Hall has averaged 7.2 yards per punt return with one touchdown.

As a receiver, Hall has proven merely a supplemental factor during his career. In his last 49 games, Hall has exactly three catches for 25 yards or more. He has rushed the ball for an average of 4.6 yards per carry without a touchdown and just one run of 20 or more yards in his career.

So. those writing asking why trade for a player seemingly heading south all the while passing on a younger prospect like Ted Ginn, Jr. have legitimate concerns.

On the flip side. there is no denying that Hall is the best combo return specialist to don the Rams uniform since Az Hakim, and the most explosive return specialist since Tony Horne.

While Hall might not be the electrifying force he was back in 2002-2003, he is still a player that demands respect from the opposition.

As a receiver, despite the Chiefs attempting to integrate Hall into the passing game he never truly evolved.

However one can certainly make the case that Hall is the equal to Shaun McDonald in the receiver rotation.

From the standpoint of compensation. those determining a fifth-round pick is meaningless are uniformed.

Considering the following: The Rams have dealt two fifth-round picks this season for Dante Hall and James Hall.

The Rams dealt the 148th pick and the 154th pick in the draft in return for the Hall's.

Here is a list of some the most noted players selected in the fifth round prior to the 155th pick this decade: Jacob Bell; Rocky Bernard; Erick Coleman; Trent Cole; Kenyon Coleman; Andra Davis; Scott Fujita; Clark Haggans; Kyle Johnson; Dawan Landry; Chad Lavalais; Shane Lechler; Robert Mathis; Ryan O'Callaghan; Jake Scott; Kyle Williams; Gibril Wilson; Brian Young.

Furthermore. here are a few names selected this decade between the 148th and 154th slots:

Ironically, Dante Hall himself was the 153rd selection in the 2000 draft.

Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila was selected with the 149th pick; Michael Turner, the focus of trade talks this offseason was the 154th pick in 2004. Jordan Black considered among the best young offensive tackles in the NFL was picked with the 153rd selection in 2003.

Obviously, there were notables selected in the fifth round recently after the 154th pick including Mark Anderson who became a force with the Chicago Bears last season.

Keep this in mind. nearly 40 percent of the players selected in the fifth round last year started at least one game in 2006.

Please re-read that sentence allowing it to sink into the cranium.

Furthermore. five of the eight teams that played in the conference semi-finals last season had fifth-round draft picks in 2006 that started during the season (Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, New England and Philadelphia).

Once again. 63 percent of the last eight teams standing last season had players selected in fifth round in 2006 register a start last season. Dawan Landry (14), Mark Anderson (1), Pat Watkins (9), Ryan O'Callaghan (6) and Omar Gaither (5) combined for 35 starts. Additionally, San Diego's fifth-round pick in '06, Tim Dobbins was a special teams demon that is projected as a possible starter in '07.

While this could prove yet another example of the Rams football operations staff adding a marquee name in an attempt to fill a hole instead of properly planning for a long-term solution (see Ted Ginn, Jr.). I'll wait and see what other moves are to be made this weekend.

I'll ride the fence analyzing this deal because throughout his career on the collegiate level and professional level. Linehan has converted diminutive receivers (many best known as returners) into productive receivers.

It would be ludicrous to dismiss Hall as a non-factor. However those banking on Hall being the ultimate special teams difference-maker might want to pump the breaks.

This is truly the most intriguing deal consummated by the Rams since bring Kyle Turley to town.

My gambling side has me rolling the dice with the Rams however the realist in me is removing a few chips from my wager.

This much is true. should Dante Hall actually don the Rams uniform, the first time that Carolina lines up to kickoff on September 9th. it will be the most anticipated kick return since New England booted the ball begin a contest back in February of 2002.

[RamsSB99]

Is it just me or does it seem that Hadley likes to try to Bash all the Rams moves now that Martz is gone and Hadley is no longer on their payroll. Let me say this I used to like Hadley prior to him being paid by the Rams. But then when he was on their payroll and reporting it seemed like he was reporting how great they were doing and now that he is not his reporting sounds to me like hes trying to point out how bad they are doing.

[general counsel]

I think its great that he lists 20 guys in the nfl who have made an impact as 5th round picks. Too bad he doesnt list the 300 guys in that same time period who did NOTHING as 5th round picks. Typical faulty reasoning. Hall will contribute at both spots, but i agree i am not expecting him to change our entire offensive field position all by himself. At the minimum, he probably wont run backwards as much as mcdonald. '

I would like to know how many times he has fumbled in the last three years.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[mikhal5569]

blah, blah, blah, furthermore. Blah, blah, blah.
I'm sorry but there is no way you can convince me that giving up a 5th round draft pick for Dante is bad or even a risky move. Hall will give us the best return game we had in years and actually be a passable back up at receiver. That's something you couldn't say about Ponder, that's for sure. Finally if I hear another comment about how we should have wasted our number one pick on Ginn i'm going to scream. With that being said, D. Hall welcome to the Rams.

[Rambos]

All we need Hall to do is return thats it. No need to try and make him into our 4th WR or slot guy. Just rest up and return the ball.

[keith m. klink]

with all the special team demon's we signed , and resigned players , hall will be given a new life , and i think he knows he will be appreciated for what the rams want from him , run to the goalline baby . and as for that blah blah blah hadley blah blah ( MIKHAL) that was friggin funny . hadley is a MO , with a bunch of HO's in front of it . he's a TED, a total MELVIN . just a a whiney MERV , he should go write for S.F.

Originally Posted by Rambos

All we need Hall to do is return thats it. No need to try and make him into our 4th WR or slot guy. Just rest up and return the ball.

Which begs the question, who then is the 4th WR and/or slot guy?

Bennett, Holt, and Bruce have all been banged up and/or missed time in the last 2 years.

Bennett is 29 and we know about Bruce and Holt. They will need a new 3rd WR sooner rather than later.

Besides, Linehan likes 3 WR sets, which then means---they need a 4th, cause otherwise they're one injury away from 2 WR sets with no legit back up. Other than Looker, who is not a "get open regardless who is defending you" kinda guy. He's a role player and special teamer.

This team actually needs a 4th WR.

[Bruce=GOAT]

GC, Hall has fumbled 8 times over the past 3 years with 4 of them lost. He had 2 last year, 5 in '05 and 1 the previous year.

[RealRam]

Originally Posted by Keith M. Klink

With all the special team demon's we signed and resigned players, Hall will be given a new life and I think he knows he will be appreciated for what the rams want from him. Run to the goal line baby...

Run Dante, runnnnn!!! :r


Can't wait to see little Dante acclimate himself in Training Camp and prepare as a RAM!

[tomahawk247]

barring a trade, 100% of our fifth round picks will contribute for the Rams this year. we have just effectively drafted a Pro Bowl kick returner and a starting defensive end.

and this Hadley guy is moaning? He managed to name about three or four players picked in the fifth round in the last decade who were any good. Thats not even one for every year of the drafts he is talking about.

[laram0]

After reading several different articles on the Dante Hall trade to our Rams. It seems to me that Hall needed a change of scenery. Hopefully my deduction is accurate and Dante is reborn.

:r

[HUbison]

Originally Posted by z.nrd

Which begs the question, who then is the 4th WR and/or slot guy?

Bennett, Holt, and Bruce have all been banged up and/or missed time in the last 2 years.

Bennett is 29 and we know about Bruce and Holt. They will need a new 3rd WR sooner rather than later.

Besides, Linehan likes 3 WR sets, which then means---they need a 4th, cause otherwise they're one injury away from 2 WR sets with no legit back up. Other than Looker, who is not a "get open regardless who is defending you" kinda guy. He's a role player and special teamer.

This team actually needs a 4th WR.

Yes, under the Martz system, we'd be in a world of hurt with our current receiver corp. However, Linehan's tendency to lean more on H-backs and 2nd TEs takes some of that emphasis off the need for 3rd and 4th receivers.

[rammiser]

I really don't understand Hadley. We got Dante Halla and James Hall both for 5thround picks. He just contridicted his own point by pointing out how few 5th rounders actually made an impact latley let alone started all 16 games. These two guys will contibute way more than any fifth round pick we've had lately. Also to just say Ted Ginn Jr. is going to be great is rediculous. I dont want Ginn and I also dont think he'll be that good. There are no guarantees in the draft just see Ryan Leaf to figure that one out. So now instead of picking Ginn with our 1st pick who would have just been our 4th wr and return man we can now pick what we really need and thats defense. Looker is fine as a 4th wr and so is Hall for that matter why do we need another wr now. To some injuries is a concern but we also have Mcmichael who will also line up in the slot or as our 4th wr once in a while. Let's be realistic here we just got a 28 yr old Hall for a 5th rounder and can address our defense with the first pick which is what the team needs to do. I'm sure if we didnt get Hall and drafted Ginn and he flopped Hadley would be saying why did we take a wr when the defense was so terrible.

[majorram]

Simple...........2... 5th round picks or the Two experienced Vets in the Halls that can help us straight away, hey I know who I would rather have!! I'm loving this.....from the FO

steve:l

[Rambos]

Which begs the question, who then is the 4th WR and/or slot guy?

Bennett is 29 and we know about Bruce and Holt. They will need a new 3rd WR sooner rather than later.

Bennett will be the slot guy at times for us, which is awesome. A 6’5 guy in the slot will be too great over the middle. AS far as depth I can see taking a WR in the draft later.

I love this kid.

David Ball 6' 1" 198 lbs.
Speed: 4.57
The comparisons to Jerry Rice are coming in left and right. They both played in Division 1AA; David Ball from New Hampshire and NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice from Mississippi Valley State. This past season (2006), Ball broke Rice’s collegiate touchdown record of 50 touchdowns, ball shattered that with 58 TDs in his career. Reportedly Ball’s lack of speed (his 40-yard time as a sophomore was 4.6 seconds, the same time Rice put up his senior year) and his lack of size (at 6’2”, 200 pounds, he’s the same height and weight as Rice) are all reason that people are calling Ball the next Jerry Rice. Heck, Ball even has the same agent; he hired Ralph Cindrich of Debartolo Sports and Entertainment in Pittsburgh, the same man who represented Jerry Rice.