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Post by okayplayer on Apr 25, 2007 14:19:37 GMT -5
www.stlouisrams.com/article/61115/ST. LOUIS, MO.--The St. Louis Rams announced today they have traded for kick returner Dante Hall, one of the most explosive players in NFL history, with 11 career kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns. The Rams sent the Kansas City Chiefs a fifth-round selection in the 2007 NFL draft, which takes place this weekend. “We have filled a need with one of the top players in football at his specialty, returning punts and kicks,” said Rams head coach Scott Linehan. “Dante will fit in nicely on our special teams and can be utilized as a receiver in certain situations.” With one more kick return for a touchdown, the 28-year old Hall will tie Eric Metcalf for second all-time in the NFL. Brian Mitchell holds the NFL record with 13 kick-return touchdowns. Mitchell played 14 seasons and Metcalf 13 seasons. The 2007 season will be Hall’s eighth. Hall returned 53 kickoffs for a 22.8-yard average and 27 punts for an 8.9-yard average and one touchdown in 2006. He also caught 26 passes for two touchdowns. Hall is one of the most prolific returners in NFL history, with a career, 24.0-yard average for 360 kickoffs and a 10.0-yard average for 188 punt returns in seven seasons with the Chiefs. Hall has two punt return touchdowns in excess of 90 yards in his career and three kickoff returns of more than 97 yards. He has a single-game high of 296 yards in combined yardage. Ok I know I'm not supposed to copy stories verbatum, but this one was really short.
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Post by okayplayer on Apr 25, 2007 14:21:54 GMT -5
I think this is great news. Although we don't have anyone really to block for him, the human joystick can definately improve our special teams that has been lacking since the departure of Az Hakim
Other people I've talked to said he's overrated. I say thats crap, what about you??
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Post by timbo on Apr 25, 2007 15:37:35 GMT -5
He is an average wide receiver but we have been thinning out at that position for a couple of years. His real strength comes from his ability to break away when everybody is running toward him. He has great vision for the play in front of him and gets to improvise like a madman. (That's frowned on as a receiver. They run set routes.)
Yeah, the fact that he will have the Rams special teams blocking for him is a drawback. But, you can be pretty sure with him out there, there will be the potential for a big play on every kick or punt we receive.
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Post by okayplayer on Apr 25, 2007 18:08:41 GMT -5
2 more returns and he is tied for 2nd all time
We're a better team than what we were before he signed
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Post by renoman on Apr 25, 2007 18:10:24 GMT -5
I wonder if Vermeil will cry when he gets three more returns!
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Post by okayplayer on Apr 26, 2007 9:38:26 GMT -5
Vermeil crys when the light turns red, of course he will.
Although, Kevin Slaten said something I thought was hillarious, the biggest upset in the NFL was when Dick Vermeil didn't cry at his last retirement announcement, so maybe he won't.
He did say Hall was better than Tony Horn
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Post by jdabler on Apr 26, 2007 10:04:49 GMT -5
this may have already been mentioned (I haven't taken the time to read all the posts) but no matter how electric Dante Hall can be on kick returns, he still has the Rams Special Team blocking for him. Unless the Rams get stronger on those positions, it doesn't matter who is returning kicks. He's still only going to get 5-10 yards at best.
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Post by okayplayer on Apr 26, 2007 13:29:00 GMT -5
He can make those fast breaks and if he returns even one it'll be worth it.
He doesn't have too much blocking and the self lives for that position is about up for him, but I think he'll get more than 5-10 yards per touch
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Post by timbo on Apr 26, 2007 21:32:22 GMT -5
Considering how the Rams draft and that they only gave up a 5th round pick this weekend and moved back two spots in the third round, I think he is a steal.
He won't single-handedly turn the Rams into contenders but he can add some excitement and he does solidify a position that has been weak for years.
He will probably only be the #4 or #5 receiver on the team but sometimes we use those guys, too.
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Post by okayplayer on Apr 27, 2007 9:45:36 GMT -5
We got him for nothing!!
I think we'll be pleasantly surprised with this move
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Post by jdabler on Apr 27, 2007 11:18:34 GMT -5
Oh, I'm not saying the Rams should not have gone after him. for a 5th round pick??? If I were Dante Hall, I think I would feel a little bit insulted to be sold that cheaply...
I think he can only improve the Rams offensively and on special teams. I don't know if he will take Holt's or Ike's place as #1 or #2 but I think he might make a decent #3 or #4 receiver. (if I gave a sh!t about football)
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Post by stevenfury on May 3, 2007 17:41:23 GMT -5
Hello All
I'm from KC and a Chiefs fan so I offer a little perspective from someone that saw every one of his games. Dante had a couple years where he was very good returning kicks. The last 2 weren't all that good.
For some reason he seems to have lost his touch but that could be lack of blocking on Kick returns and or he has been used in passing downs more often which tires him.. I don't know but he was traded because of his performance in my opinion. In Two games last year he fumbled balls inside our 30 that led to touchdowns or field goals.. Both were losses if I remember correctly.. Some attribute that to Vermiel not being here and Dante was clearly not happy with his role.
Anyway.. Dante is a guy whom you will like from what I've seen as he can change the game at a moments notice.. I wish him luck and your Rams luck until they play the Chiefs then were mortal enemies..
Later all.. Have a good one..
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Post by timbo on May 3, 2007 19:02:27 GMT -5
Dante claimed he didn't like the role he had the last two years. He said he was used as a receiver too often, he had to practice receiving routes too much during the week, and he felt like he wasn't able to get loose for returns because he was tired. He didn't like the system since Vermeil left and it was too darn cold for him during many games. Now, he's indoors on artificial turf. The Rams are supposedly using him as a #4 or #5 receiver so he won't see a lot of reps during practices. And he is happy to be away from the current KC management.
Hopefully he will return to his old form and have a great year. Or, we got screwed and we find out he is a whiner, he has lost a step, and is too small to help the team in other ways. I guess we have to wait a few months to see.
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Post by stevenfury on May 4, 2007 3:09:07 GMT -5
Vermeils only been gone 1 year and Vermeil used him more than Edwards but maybe now he will be able to concentrate mostly on returns and help the Rams.. The artificial turf ought to help him out aswell so we shall see.. I dont' think he lost a step or anything I think basically the Chiefs Blocking for returns sucked the last couple of years..
Both teams will be happy with this one because he needed a change of scenery and I hope he does well..
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Post by okayplayer on May 4, 2007 9:26:04 GMT -5
He's better than any of the the returners we've had since Az Hakim.
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