J.Mike's Missives

No, that’s not a photo of Christopher Owens.

That’s a previous Falcons No. 21 that went to two Pro Bowls as a shutdown corner.

You probably don’t need a guess but, if you took one, here’s the answer: DeAngelo Hall.

Hall, now a member of the Washington Redskins returns to the Georgia Dome for the first time since being traded to Oakland prior to the 2008 NFL Draft. He was released by the Raiders before the end of that season and signed with the Redskins.

He currently has 33 tackles, five passes defensed and three interceptions on a 2-5 team.

“No matter what happens on the other side of the ball or special teams, we can’t control that… If we have 50 plays or 80 plays it doesn’t matter; we have to be out there giving it our all,” Hall said Wednesdaay in a conference call with Atlanta media.

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Hall, who was one of the more outspoken players in the Falcons locker room during the brief Bobby Petrino era (2007) said he has no regrets. While he said time in Atlanta under Head Coach Mike Smith would “probably have worked out,” he’s happy with how his career has settled and rebounded.

“Would I change anything? Probably not. It’s made me a better person, a better father, a better player. I would do everything exactly the same. Even the debacle in Oakland, I wouldn’t change that because it wouldn’t have humbled me the way I am now and got me back as hungry as I am.”

Hall has emerged as a leader on a Redskins defense that’s carrying more of its share.

Washington’s offense has struggled but the defense ranks fifth in the NFL allowing just 17.6 points per game. The group is No. 2 against the pass, allowing 164.9 yards through the air.

Hall said he can’t wait to line up against Roddy White and keep an eye on Matt Ryan, who he classifies as one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. Hall said he’s also sent text messages to his teammates on the defensive line prepping them for how tough Atlanta’s offensive front will play.

“We’ve got a great test this week,” he said. “We’ve got a test against an Atlanta football field we feel is one of the top teams in their division.”

One thing Hall hasn’t considered is the reaction from the crowd that supported him in a Falcons uniform for the first four years of his career.

“I haven’t even thought about it,” he said. “They’re not introducing us in that stadium so it’s not like I’m going to get booed or applauded on the intro. It’s a football game that’s going to be played on Sunday, not me versus them. It’s going to be the Washington Redskins versus the Atlanta Falcons.”

J. Michael Moore News Bobby Petrino, conference call, DeAngelo Hall, Matt Ryan, Oakland Raiders, Roddy White, Washington Redskins