ALAMEDA - DeAngelo Hall is settling in to what the Raiders want him to do.
Hall is figuring out how the Raiders play defense and how to fit in. In previous schemes, Hall said he had more freedom in what he did in coverage, but is adjusting to playing within in the confines of the Raiders scheme.
"With understanding of the defense comes, obviously, a sense of confidence, a sense of swagger, like I said in the past," Hall said today. "I'm starting to fully understand what they're asking me to do, and buying into it."
Hall made his living as a gambler at cornerback for four seasons in Atlanta. He played off more, tried to bait quarterbacks into bad decisions and made two Pro Bowls.
But he's found life as a man corner with the Raiders different.
"Every scheme I've been in has kind of allowed me to do what I like to do," Hall said. "But being here, I almost have to do what I'm told. And like I said, it can be little bit frustrating at times. Two-time Pro Bowler, you know, 20 picks in my career, it's kind of hard to be told what to do - especially when you're comfortable doing something else. But like I said, I'm buying into it, feel like it's working. Ain't got no complaints, as long as it's working."
Hall has to be more physical playing for the Raiders. At 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, that's not always easy with the Raiders requiring their corners to play up on receivers and be physical.
"It's easy for Nnam (Asomugha) to go up there and press," Hall said. "He's 6-2, long. I'm a little smaller than that. And it can wear and tear on you. But just gotta do what you're told."
--Jason Jones
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