Giants seek trade for DeAngelo Hall

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Giants seek trade for DeAngelo Hall

Posted by mgarafol
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February 22, 2008 00:18AM
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INDIANAPOLIS -- With their top two free-agent targets wearing pricey franchise tags, the Giants are trying another route toward getting a top cornerback: A trade with the Falcons for two-time Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

According to two people with knowledge of discussions between the teams, the Giants are willing to give Atlanta their first-round pick (31st overall) in April's draft in exchange for Hall. The people requested anonymity because of the private nature of the trade talks.

Giants general manager Jerry Reese declined to comment yesterday morning when asked whether the Giants have inquired about Hall, the eighth overall pick in the 2004 draft.

The Giants had hoped to make a run at the Seahawks' Marcus Trufant and the Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha, according to one of the people familiar with the team's off-season plans, but each was made the franchise players by their respective teams. The Giants would owe two first-round picks if they signed either player. Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel, who will become a free agent next Friday, is viewed by the Giants more as a player whose success is the product of New England's defensive system than his own ability.

Hall, 24, is a fast, tough and talented player who had 17 interceptions in his four NFL seasons. However, he had a tumultuous 2007 season with the Falcons. In a loss to the Panthers in September, he drew three penalties on Carolina's game-tying drive and then got into a shouting match with coach Bobby Petrino on the sideline. Hall was fined $100,000 and benched for the first quarter of the next week's game for the incident.

Hall further criticized Petrino when the first-year coach resigned in mid-December -- with three games left in the season.

"If I saw him in the street, I wouldn't have anything to say to him," Hall said at the time. "I don't have any respect for him. He turned his back on the organization."

Even though Petrino is now at the University of Arkansas, Hall's relationship with the Falcons is still unsettled. Newly hired general manager Thomas Dimitroff told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week he would listen to trade offers for Hall, though new coach Mike Smith and the rest of his staff would like to keep the four-year veteran. Dimitroff is believed to be shopping for a better deal at the Combine, which began yesterday and runs through Tuesday.

The Falcons already have dumped several veterans, including four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler, and seem to be interested in shedding other salaries.

Since he was hired 13 months ago, Reese has made two trades -- for placekicker Lawrence Tynes and running back Reuben Droughns. Tynes recently agreed to a five-year, $7 million deal to remain with the Giants, but Droughns, who was overtaken on the depth chart by Derrick Ward and then Ahmad Bradshaw, likely will be released soon. Reese nearly pulled off a third trade last spring, but that fell through when former Broncos linebacker Al Wilson failed a physical.

Reese's successes as GM have mostly come via the draft. All eight of his picks from a year ago became contributors for the Super Bowl XLII champions, including Bradshaw and first-rounder Aaron Ross.

The Giants are confident they have a long-term starting cornerback in Ross, who had three interceptions and six more passes defensed in his rookie season. Ross also had 1½ sacks and many quarterback pressures while blitzing from his spot as the nickel cornerback on passing downs.

The Giants also like what they've seen recently from Corey Webster -- the three-year veteran and former second-round pick who looked to be a bust during his first two seasons with the Giants. Webster quickly turned things around with an interception returned for a touchdown against the Bills in December, an interception against the Buccaneers in the first round of the playoffs and another interception to set up the game-winning field goal against the Packers in the NFC Championship game.

But cornerback is one area where Reese likes to have as much depth as possible. (Defensive end is clearly another.) By adding Hall, the Giants would increase depth and give themselves one of the league's best corners. They might also be able to shed the $1.47 million in salary 11-year veteran Sam Madison is owed this upcoming season by cutting him. Backup corner R.W. McQuarters, who is scheduled to earn $2.525 million in salary, is expected to be released -- perhaps as soon as this week.

Hall's 2008 salary is $4.22 million. The following season he's owed $957,500, though that year is voidable. Chances are the Giants will want to work out a new long-term deal if they complete the trade with Atlanta.

Hall's agent, Joel Segal, did not return an e-mail seeking comment.
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