Adam Schefter
Hall chose Redskins over Steelers, Patriots

Posted: Adam Schefter | Adam Schefter | Tags: DeAngelo Hall, Washington Redskins

Whats just as notable as the team cornerback DeAngelo Hall chose are the ones he didnt.

Hall heard from Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, each of whom tried to persuade the former Raiders cornerback to sign with his respective team.

(Random question: If Hall was such a bad influence, why did two of the most respected defensive-minded head coaches in the game pursue him the way they did?)

Ultimately, the Redskins offered something no other team could: the chance to play in his backyard.

Hall is from Virginia and played college football at Virginia Tech. The Redskins asked Hall, Whyd you pick Virginia Tech when you could have gone to any school in the country?

And Hall told them because he wanted to be close to home. Now, after agreeing to a one-year, pro-rated $1 million deal with the Redskins that will pay him $492,000 for finishing the season in Washington, Hall will be close to home.

He is scheduled to arrive in Washington on Friday night, undergo a physical then and sign his contract.

The Redskins also promised Hall they would not slap their franchise tag on him after this season but, with their tight salary-cap situation in 2009, they could not afford to do that anyway. Still, the two sides already have discussed the possibility of signing a long-term agreement and if the engagement works out, the marriage always could be consummated.

But for now, the Redskins are happy to have Hall to help them make their playoff push.