In return to Atlanta, DeAngelo Hall continues to stir things up following sideline fight

Atlanta HC Mike Smith during a sideline skirmish, (AP Photo/John Amis)

DeAngelo Hall's four-year career ended unceremoniously and with dishonesty, according to the cornerback. 

Earlier this week Hall was cited as saying Atlanta's General Manager Thomas Dimitroff was not truthful in his dealings with the two-time Pro Bowler. 

“I didn’t trust Dimitroff at all,” Hall said, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He lied to me several times. He promised me he was going to get something done [on a contract] and he’s behind my back trying to shop me at the draft."  

Hall apparently carried his dislike of the franchise into Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Falcons, specifically Atlanta's sideline when he was involved in an ugly post-play scuffle.

Following a late hit by safety LaRon Laundry on Atlanta's quarterback Matt Ryan, Hall exchanged words with Falcons players and coaches. The exchange escalated into a pushing and shoving match between Hall and the Atlanta sideline.

Atlanta's Head Coach Mike Smith got involved, coming face-to-face with the former Falcon, before being separated by players and officials. Smith said following the game he didn't know who was involved; he was simply trying to restore order to a chaotic scene on his sideline.

“Those sidelines are very, very hectic during a game," said Smith. "Our quarterback was hit late and there was a skirmish over there. All I was trying to do was restore order to the sideline and did not want to get into a situation where any of our guys were injured. That was my view of it. Again, it happened so very, very quickly.”

Hall saw things otherwise and called out Smith for actions the cornerback believed were inappropriate.

“I ran over there to help my guy, and next thing I know, one of their strength and conditioning coaches started grabbing at me, putting his hands on me," said Hall. "Then other guys put their hands on me. The whole time I’m trying to get them off me. After that, Coach (Mike) Smith came over to me, talking (expletive) to me, saying they were going to kick my (expletive).  I stay in Atlanta during the offseason, so if Mike Smith wants to see me, he can definitely find me. That’s some (expletive) right there. But he can save that for another day.”

When pressed for a further comment regarding the incident, Smith maintained that order and safety were his primary concerns.

"I can’t tell you who was on that sideline," Atlanta's head coach said. "All I know is I was trying to get order restored over there before halftime.”

Landry was penalized for unnecessary roughness. Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who joined the fray late, pushing an Atlanta player, was also cited for unnecessary roughness, though that penalty was declined.

Falcons receiver Roddy White, who spent three seasons as Hall's teammate, said his interactions with the cornerback were limited during the game, but he suspected the former Virginia Tech star may have been involved in the scene.

"We really didn’t say too much to one another," said White. "We just went out there and played. I was on the other side of the field, so, I saw the commotion, and I had a feeling that he (Hall) might have had something to do with it."

Hall was not welcomed by the home Georgia Dome crowd. He was loudly booed during player introductions and when his name was announced during punt returns for Washington. The relationship between the flamboyant cornerback and Atlanta fans began to sour in 2007 for outbursts such as the game-costing penalties he received in a Carolina Panthers victory over the Falcons.

The corner earned three penalties for 67 yards during a game-tying drive by the Carolina Panthers. Hall's unsportsmanlike penalties directed at Carolina's star receiver Steve Smith gave the Panthers first downs and allowed them to continue their drive. Smith characterized the incident as becoming of the type of player Hall is.

"He took a cheap shot at me," Smith said following the win. "That's the kind of player he is."

Dimitroff traded Hall to the Oakland Raiders for a second-round pick in 2008. After eight games, he was released by the Raiders and joined Washington and signed a six-year $55 million contract following the season.

Ryan, the victim of the late hit, said it's all part of football and didn't realize what was happening, but appreciated that his coach stood up for him.

"I was running back to the huddle so I didn't see anything," the quarterback said. "But it's always good when your coach has your back."

Center Todd McClure echoed Ryan's comments, saying that's a reason, he believes, the Falcons players love playing for their head coach.

"He’s always like that," McClure said following the game. "I love playing for him. I think everybody in this locker room does. He’s always got your back. He is always looking out for his guys. Like this week in practice, we were banged up a little bit, we took the pads off and he took care of us. I think guys responded, came out here and played a good game. It wasn’t always pretty but we got the job done." 

In Ledbetter's report for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hall was quoted as saying he intended to contact NFL Commission Roger Goodell personally to share his frustration about the way the incident was handled.

"I can't wait for guys to sit back and watch the replay," Hall said. "I can't wait to watch the replay. I'm going to be giving Commissioner Goodell a call myself because something needs to be done about that."

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