Washington Redskins Need to Show DeAngelo Hall the Money

Acquired midseason, DeAngelo Hall proved to be a great addition to the Washington Redskins' secondary.

Hall added something that neither Shawn Springs, Carlos Rogers, or Fred Smoot could bring. He covered well, stayed healthy, and caught the football when it came his way. Hall caught an interception during his first game, something that Carlos Rogers has failed to do at all during his stint with the Redskins.

Toward the end of the season, Hall replaced Rogers in the starting lineup. Rogers was having a good season until the end, when he began giving up big plays.

According to sources, Rogers said, "I'm not a backup to nobody. I'm a starter in this league. Everybody knows that. There's a lot of teams that would give their right arm to have me on their team."

"In Cincinnati, I played [just] nine plays," he added. "I'm used to playing 60 to 70 plays. All of a sudden, you're a backup, you're a nickel, you're a third corner. That don't sit well with me. I still haven't had answers to the questions I want to know."

Hall and veteran Shawn Springs started the last three games at corner, leaving fans to wonder if that also will be the plan for the 2009 season. There is no question that the two played well. However, there is the question of whether the organization will have enough money to pay both of these guys.

Here lies the problem.

According to sources, DeAngelo Hall will be offered a contract worth $48 million over six years from the Redskins, with $12 million guaranteed. However, if Hall and his agent decide he is worth more than that to the team, they may demand more money.

Springs has a contract worth $30 million and has not stayed healthy the last couple of years. His age and his failure to take a pay cut also are factors. Hall, on the other hand, is a free agent and a young guy; the Redskins would surely love to retain him.

If both of these guys are back next season, that either puts Carlos Rogers or Fred Smoot on the trading block. Rogers is a young guy and can play, but if he doesn't learn how to catch the ball, quarterbacks are going to blow up his side of the field. Smoot is a funny guy and the players love him, but he was picked on by quarterbacks late in the season.

The Redskins have a lot to do this offseason. Vinny Cerrato will certainly have his hands full. Whatever they decide, keeping Hall is certainly a necessary first step.