Tag: DeAngelo Hall

How Julie Donaldson became Commanders senior VP of media and content

Part one of our conversation with Commanders senior VP of media and content.

In July 2020, Julie Donaldson was at the gym working out, having to wear a mask because of the COVID restrictions.

She noticed her phone ringing and then ringing again, and it was her general manager at NBC Sports Washington. He explained the Washington Redskins had contacted him because Julie was still under contract. The football organization wanted to hire Julie and make her the first female regular on-air voice of the NFL Washington’s team radio broadcast.

Knowing what she had experienced and learned regarding the reputation of the organization her initial reaction was to not want to take the job. However, her general manager explained that this was quite a unique opportunity for Donaldson. These chances don’t come around frequently, as there are only so many teams. Donaldson conveyed to Commanders Wire he told her, “I think you should be open to it.”

Terry Bateman was the one officially reaching out, offering Julie the job. Following several conversations with those in and out of the organization, including both Dan and Tanya Snyder, Julie Donaldson accepted the challenge, becoming Washington’s new senior vice president of media and content.

The timing was crazy for Donaldson. The franchise was announcing the discarding of the team name “Redskins” since 1933 when the Boston Braves became the Boston Redskins. Training camp was beginning soon and the preseason was in just a few weeks.

Donaldson talked of how it was like she was thrown into the deep end right away, experiencing a baptism by fire. It was quite the rush getting things revamped as the Washington Football Team and in time for the regular season to begin.

She recalled how they suddenly needed new graphics, look, feel, “we definitely hustled to get things up in time for the season. Even more, “right away I had to get a team together and figure out whom I wanted with me.”

Chris Cooley had already previously shared with Julie that he would not be returning to the broadcast booth for the 2020 season, that decision having been made months earlier.

She quickly received hundreds of messages of congratulations and notes from many throwing their hat in the ring for the game-day broadcast analyst and play-by-play announcer positions.

One early contact was DeAngelo Hall. Julie had worked with Hall in previous years doing both pregame and postgame shows. Hall’s first TV shows had earlier actually been with Julie and seeing she already had a working relationship with Hall, and with Santana Moss as well, she felt these two former Washington players were good choices for her.

To be continued: Selecting a play-by-play announcer, other key members of her department, and growing in her role.

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Washington names 10 players to franchise’s ’90 greatest’ list

Ryan Kerrigan, Trent Williams, Chris Cooley and Santana Moss were among Washington’s additions to the “90 greatest” list.

To commemorate 90 years as an NFL franchise, the Washington Commanders named 10 former greats to their “90 greatest” list on Thursday.

Washington announced nine former players and one former coach to the list at the team’s annual Welcome Home Luncheon at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill.

The list was trimmed to 10 after the organization began a fan vote in July. Here is the complete list:

  • DE Ryan Kerrigan (2011-2020)
  • LT Trent Williams (2010-2019)
  • WR Santana Moss (2005-2014)
  • TE Chris Cooley (2004-2012)
  • DT Darryl Grant (1981-1990)
  • LB London Fletcher (2007-2013)
  • CB DeAngelo Hall (2008-2017)
  • CB Champ Bailey (1999-2003)
  • DC Larry Peccatiello (1981-1993)
  • RB Stephen Davis (1996-2002)

Interestingly enough, all but Grant and Peccatiello were with Washington after owner Daniel Snyder bought the team in 1999. However, it’s difficult to dispute any of the players on the list.

Bailey is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while Williams is still active with the San Francisco 49ers — and one of the NFL’s best offensive tackles.

Former quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Robert Griffin III were among those on the ballot that didn’t make the final 10.

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DeAngelo Hall stepping away from Commanders radio broadcast team

DeAngelo Hall will step away from Washington’s radio team. Former Washington linebacker London Fletcher will replace him.

DeAngelo Hall enjoyed a 14-year NFL career, and 9 1/2 of those seasons came with the Washington Redskins — now Commanders. Shortly after Hall’s terrific playing career ended, he entertained going into coaching but found multiple media opportunities.

Hall worked with NBC Sports Washington, offering analysis on his former team and Fox Sports 1. Hall would join the NFL Network in 2019 as a regular on both “NFL Total Access” and “Good Morning Football.”

In 2020, Hall proved you could come home again, joining Washington’s brand new radio broadcast of play-by-play announcer Bram Weinstein and analyst Julie Donaldson — the Commanders’ senior vice president of media and content.

Now, after two seasons on Washington’s radio team, Hall is stepping aside, according to 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C. Another former Washington star, linebacker London Fletcher, will replace Hall.

Hall, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, played college football at Virginia Tech before being drafted No. 8 overall in 2004 by the Atlanta Falcons.

Fletcher, like Hall, had a decorated career in Washington. The 16-year NFL veteran spent the final seven seasons of his career with the Commanders. Fletcher was inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Fame in 2019.

Fletcher played in 256 consecutive games, starting 215 straight games — an NFL record for a linebacker.

DeAngelo Hall says signing with Washington over New England destroyed potential legacy

One of the more revered players to wear the Burgundy & Gold this decade, Hall admits he regrets signing with Washington over Patriots.

One of the most revered players in Washington football over the past decade is DeAngelo Hall, a cornerback who played for 10 years with the team where he racked up 23 interceptions, 8 forced fumbles, and three touchdowns. To this day, he is regarded as one of the better players to wear the Burgundy & Gold this century, and he will be remembered fondly in D.C.

Until maybe you hear that he regrets ever signing with Washington back in 2009, and wishes instead that he took less money to go to the New England Patriots when he had the chance.

In an interview with NFL.com, Hall detailed that it was the money that Washington offered that lured him back after playing a half-season there in 2008. However, if he had looked at it from a football standpoint, he would have much rather gone with the Pats, hopping on at the early stages of the New England dynasty.

“Over a few million, I could’ve changed my legacy by being part of that dynasty,” Hall said. “That was on the table for me, and I wish I would’ve made the decision to take less money and play for Belichick.”

In the end, Hall ended up signing a six-year deal worth $54 million in Washington, where he would play for the final years of his career, appearing in only two playoff games in that time. He may be loved in D.C., but it’s hard to blame him for wishing he’d taken the more fruitful path.

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DeAngelo Hall’s biggest NFL regret was turning down offer to join the Patriots

“Being a young and greedy knucklehead, I chose to stay in Washington on a long-term deal.”

The New England Patriots have been a conflicting organization to join for a multitude of reasons over the past two decades.

Many players want to be a part of something special and reap the benefits of consistently winning and building their legacies. Some players join the team after a lackluster season and look to turn their career around — hoping for a large contract in the near future. Other players won’t accept the team-friendly contracts and the strict guidelines the team has to live up to.

Former star cornerback DeAngelo Hall went where the money was and that led him to finish out his career with the Washington Redskins. Hall signed a six-year, $54 million deal that sounded extremely appealing at the time. He came out last year and said Bill Belichick and the Patriots offered him a three-year, $27 million deal in 2008.

Hall, now an NFL.com analyst, said his biggest regret in the league was turning that deal  down.

When I signed to play half the season with Washington in 2008, there was a line in my contract that said the team could not franchise tag me that next season. I remember negotiations for a new deal with Washington weren’t going well, and there were other teams in the picture, including New England. At that time, players didn’t take short-term deals, but Randy Moss had just signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Patriots. I couldn’t believe it.

In my own contract discussions with the Pats, I recall Bill Belichick telling me they couldn’t give me the contract Moss signed. Being a young and greedy knucklehead, I chose to stay in Washington on a long-term deal (six years, $54 million), which ultimately had me making the same per-year salary as Moss. Over a few million, I could’ve changed my legacy by being part of that dynasty. That was on the table for me, and I wish I would’ve made the decision to take less money and play for Belichick.

The Patriots ended up with Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs as their starting cornerbacks that season. New England had a dire need for Hall and he would’ve changed the the secondary that season.

Hall isn’t the first and won’t be the last player to pass up on the Patriots for a larger contract.

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DeAngelo Hall says Randy Moss was toughest cover during his career

Hall, who made three Pro Bowls in his career, said Moss was the toughest player he had to cover during his time in the league.

We know Randy Moss is one of the best receivers in NFL history. Talent-wise, you might not find anyone better. He was an absolute nightmare for opposing cornerbacks to cover.

DeAngelo Hall, who made three Pro Bowls during his succesful career, said Moss was the toughest player he had to cover during his time in the league from 2004-2017.

“I came out of college running a 4.2,” Hall said on ‘Good Morning Football’. “And this dude right here ran right past me. . . Coach told me, when Randy put his hand up, the ball is coming. And I told coach I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t expecting him to be that fast.”

Watching Moss throw his hand up during his early days in purple, as a fan, that was the greatest thing to see. You already knew it was over.

I would imagine Hall isn’t alone in placing Moss first on this list.

DeAngelo Hall doesn’t think Dwayne Haskins will beat out Kyle Allen for QB1 spot

Hall thinks that Dwayne Haskins has a lot to prove this summer, but he’s not confident the second-year player can win the starting job.

The Washington Redskins made a seemingly low-risk, high-reward move earlier this offseason by trading for backup quarterback Kyle Allen, who the coaching staff has a lot of familiarity with after spending some time with him in Carolina.

It is believed that Allen will come to Washington in order to provide a little bit of competition for second-year QB Dwayne Haskins, but many believe that he will slot in as the QB2 and be ready when called upon. However, one former Redskin thinks that Allen might turn into the guy going forward, as Haskins continues to struggle to find his footing after a frustrating rookie season.

DeAngelo Hall, a player who played in Washington from 2008-17, is still waiting to see something from Haskins that convinces him he can be the franchise QB going forward.

“I don’t think Dwayne Haskins is going to respond,” Hall said, via NBC Sports Washington. “Ron Rivera is an old school mentality type of coach. He wants competition. These young guys they want things given to them.”

Haskins’ drive and mental fortitude was brought into question a lot during his rookie season, especially after he missed the final kneel-down in his first career victory because he was on the sideline taking a selfie with fans. There have also been questions about his work ethic, though all reports from this offseason show that he has been virtually living in the gym, working to get better. A rough start to his rookie season was made a bit better by the end, and his final two games were highly-encouraging, as he threw for four touchdowns and 0 interceptions in that time.

But now, with Allen in the QB room right next to him, Haskins will undoubtedly feel the heat on his neck as the pressure to perform builds larger. The manner in which he reacts to that is going to say a lot about him as a player.

“With Kyle Allen breathing down your throat you are not going to be able to make many mistakes. I love the kid but I don’t know how [Haskins] wins the starting job. I really don’t, with Ron Rivera knowing Kyle Allen. They traded a fifth-round pick for him.”

When taking over the head job, Rivera promised that we would get a highly-competitive quarterback competition. It looks like he’s a man of his word.

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DeAngelo Hall: Texans’ Bradley Roby is No. 2 on best free agent cornerbacks list

NFL Network analyst DeAngelo Hall says that Houston Texans CB Bradley Roby will be the second-best corner on the open market in free agency.

Love him or hate him, but former three-time Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall knows the position he played in the NFL for three teams over his 14 seasons.

Hall, who is now an analyst for NFL Network, released his 10 best free agent cornerbacks, and a Houston Texans corner set to hit free agency is second-best on his list.

Roby impressed Hall so much he almost landed the top spot over the Denver Broncos’ Chris Harris.

I was this close to putting Roby at No. 1, but he isn’t as consistent as his former Broncos teammate. Roby bet on himself last season by signing a one-year contract with the Houston Texans, and it paid off for both parties. The 27-year-old cornerback, who I expect will get a long-term deal this offseason, is an asset on the perimeter or in the slot. He’s a versatile corner who can make an immediate impact for the team that signs him.

Roby produced 38 tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, eight pass breakups, and a forced fumble. The problem was Roby, who had missed just one game since the Denver Broncos drafted him in the first round in 2014, missed six with the Texans due to a hamstring injury. This injury, along with a slew of others, led the Texans to trade for former Oakland Raiders 2017 first-round pick Gareon Conley and claim ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-rounder Vernon Hargreaves off waivers.

Houston will have to make big decisions at cornerback in the offseason. Roby was a starter alongside two-time Pro Bowler Johnathan Joseph, who will also hit free agency on March 18. If the Texans let Joseph and Roby go, they will lose their starters from Week 1.

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DeAngelo Hall doesn’t think Redskins should bring back Josh Norman

DeAngelo Hall had some noteworthy comments about the Redskins and a key player.

DeAngelo Hall is one of the many voices suggesting the Washington Redskins probably shouldn’t bring back corner Josh Norman at his current price tag.

Said price tag is north of $15 million in 2020 on the final year, so the commentary is certainly understandable.

Hall sat down with  Craig Hoffman on 106.7 The Fan and touched on this (h/t NBC Sports’ Eric Myers):

“I, as a fan, would love to have Josh back on this team, in this defense that I feel will be similar to Carolina,” Hall said. “But to me, it doesn’t make sense to bring Josh back for $15 million. It’s just a big pill to swallow when you can do a lot with that money on a team that needs a lot of help.”

Make no mistake — Hall also noted he wished the Redskins would’ve put Norman in a better position to make plays just like coaches in Carolina did a few years ago.

Funnily enough, Ron Rivera now leads the Redskins and maybe there is a reality where what Hall speaks of can still happen. But there’s the all-important financial hurdle to clear, which would take some work from both parties.

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DeAngelo Hall doesn’t think Bruce Allen is in jeopardy of losing his job

After a private meeting with Bruce Allen, Hall didn’t get the sense that the GM was about to be shown the exit in Washington.

If you were to ask fans of the Washington Redskins, many would likely tell you that the first step in steering the ship in the right direction would be to fire team president and general manager, Bruce Allen.

On the same note, many people connected to the organization might also tell you that they think Allen is likely on his way out, based on some developing trends, as well as a familiar string of events that took place a decade ago. However, former Redskin DeAngelo Hall doesn’t seem to agree. He told The Athletic‘s Erin Hawksworth on Friday that it wouldn’t surprise him to see Allen stick around after having a private meeting with the GM.

“I left that meeting not feeling like Bruce was in jeopardy to lose his job,” Hall said.

He stopped short of delving into details, but something was said in that meeting that made Hall think that Allen would make it at least another year with the Redskins. Hall, who played for 10 seasons with Washington, was actually linked loosely to the job earlier this month after he came out and said that he desired a front-office job with the Redskins.

“Do I think this team needs to do a lot of things to right the ship? Absolutely,” said Hall. “Has Bruce done the best job? Maybe not. But I have all the confidence in the world that the people in that building can get it fixed.”

If Hall is, in fact, looking for a job with the team, he surely wouldn’t be helping his stock by bad-mouthing the man in charge, so this quote needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Still, through all of the conflicting reports that have sprung from the Washington circles over the past month, there is now one more that goes into the Pro-Allen column. It may not end up meaning much, but it’s at least an opinion to take note of.

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