'It Wasn't About the Money' for Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall

Despite being the Redskins' top cornerback last season, DeAngelo Hall was cut before free agency due to a massively inflated $8 million owed to him for the 2013 season.

With an $18 million cap penalty, the Redskins didn’t have a whole lot to work with during the offseason.

Last month, the Redskins re-signed Hall to a much more acceptable—and logical—$2 million deal. In return, they receive a starting-caliber cornerback who played his best ball of the season down the stretch last year, and a guy that seemingly wants to be part of something great in Washington.

Hall sat down Tuesday with NFL Total Access.

"

“For me, this time around, it wasn’t about the money. We started something here in Washington with coach (Mike) Shanahan and that was the biggest thing I wanted to stress. I felt like my contract along with (Albert) Haynesworth were the reasons we were in the situation we were in. So for me, it wasn’t about the money.

“I wanted to come back here. I wanted to finish something I started. I grew up in Virginia Beach area. I’m a local l kid, went to Virginia Tech. I want to be a part of this football team. I’ve been a part of it when we weren’t so good. So to finally be on the cusp of being great, I want to be a part of that. I was willing to take a pay cut and get back on this football team to help us win.”

"

Hall received tons of criticism last season, especially during the Redskins’ ugly 3-6 start. But it wouldn’t take long for fans to realize that Hall was the team’s best at the position. And with better safety help, he’d be even more effective.

There’s no telling what’s in store for Hall and the Redskins following his one-year deal, but the team did address the safety position during the draft, snagging playmaking types like Bacarri Rambo to help threaten in the deep half.

If the 29-year-old Hall performs well in 2013, he’d stand on good ground to receive another decent payday from his hometown club.

Perhaps for the first time in his career, Hall is netting some positive attention for his respectable attitude and team-first approach.

This article also appears on BetBigDC.com.