WR/KR Danta Hall On The Move?

[Cisco Kid]

POSTED 7:45 p.m. EDT, April 11, 2007
HUMAN JOYSTICK ON THE BLOCK
A league source tells us that the Chiefs are shopping veteran receiver/return specialist Dante Hall.
Hall, 28, was the pre-eminent kick and punt returner earlier this decade. In 2003, Hall had 25.9 average yards per kick return and 16.3 average yards per punt return, both career highs. He also scored four total return touchdowns.
Since then, however, his performance as a returner has declined. Still, he possesses a skill that is of high value in the NFL, and with Pacman Jones out for the entire season, we think that one of the first teams who should give the Chiefs a call is the Tennessee Titans.
Hall is signed through 2008, at salaries of $1.5 million this year and $1.9 million next year. [PFT]

Bingo! As the saying goes, "Timing is everything." And once again, King Carl has displayed his knack for timing. With Pac Man Jones' league suspension for the 2007 NFL season, not only will the Titans be focused on locating his replacement in the secondary but also as a return specialist. Jones provided the Titans with a solid return game both as a kickoff specialist and a punt returner, so targeting Danta Hall as his replacement would seem to be a no-brainer. To complicate the situation for the Titans is the fact that Jones' backup, WR/KR Bobby Wade, departed via free agency to Minnesota. Clearly the Titans have a need and are equipped to do business with the Chiefs. The Titans have multiple draft picks in rounds 4 [#115 and #128] and also in the 6th round with picks #188, 404 and 206.

Sounds like a down right done deal...or is it? Come on, do you really think King Carl would make life that easy for anyone? No way! This is Peterson's time of year and you can bet your bottom buck he'll continue to climb up on that soap box every chance he can get.

Being careful not to hurt ourselves, let's dive alittle deeper into the knowledge surrounding the situation...knowing full well we had better do it ourselves, because waiting on Adam Teiceher or some other "in the know" reporter will only put us behind the eight ball.

Aside from the Titans, what other teams are in need of help at the KR/PR/WR positions? Here are the top candidates:

#1 Tennesse Titans
#2 San Francisco 49ers
#3 Miami Dolphins
#4 Tampa Bay Bucs
#5 Philadelphia Eagles
#6 Houston Texans

Without bomb-barding you with player stats and all, the above listed teams either ranked in the lower segment of the 2006 NFL ranking in either one or both return departments. In some cases, these teams also have lost a punt or kickoff specialist through free agency. Each of these teams could stand an improvement in terms of overall talent and depth at the WR spot as well.

But the key when it comes to King Carl and his timing, is whether or not these teams have draft picks to play with. As mentioned before, the Titans do have the necessary picks as does San Fran [4th round #104, 110 and 124] and to a lesser degree the Miami Dolphins [6th round #181 and 199]. So the picks are there. But the key to the final outcome could be in team upside, meaning a team likely to make a strong push at the playoffs...enter the Eagles and Bucs.

As you can now see, Danta Hall could very easily produce in a trade for the Chiefs a 4th round pick or even several second day draft picks. As for me, my money is on the 49ers and pick #4/110.

[Chiefster]

Who do we use, to return kicks, then?

It matters little to me as long as they know how to run North and South instead of East and West.

[kenny1937]

Hey, can I apply for the job, I watched Dante on the big screen, and I know how to do it, you catch the ball, run nine or ten yards backwards and get tackled, I will do that for a third of his salary. (grin)

:character0092: :hilljack:

[Chiefster]

Hey, can I apply for the job, I watched Dante on the big screen, and I know how to do it, you catch the ball, run nine or ten yards backwards and get tackled, I will do that for a third of his salary. (grin)

:character0092: :hilljack:

I don't think they allow portable oxygen tanks on the field.

[Coach]

Go after Ted Ginn Jr in the draft?!?

Exactly what I was thinking.

Jeff Webb will be the man. I have a strong suspiscion. There was an article on the KCStar web site where Herm says the 2 young guns earned the right to play, so no WR in the draft. I recall some STL Chief fan saying it not so long ago....

I like the idea of letting the 'young guns' compete for the starting WR job. I just hope they are competing with someone from this draft for the job. If either of the two guys Hermie was talking about were very good, they would have already seen the field.

Hey, can I apply for the job, I watched Dante on the big screen, and I know how to do it, you catch the ball, run nine or ten yards backwards and get tackled, I will do that for a third of his salary. (grin)

:character0092: :hilljack:

I would last about one play. Getting hit full steam by some guy that weighs 250 lbs and runs the 40yd in under 5 seconds would probably end my career. But for that kind of money I'd be willing to find out.
:sign0156:

[timbok]

come on chiefs..trade hall to the jets..

[chief31]

There you go....We'll trade Hall for a sixth round pick, and draft Ginn Jr. with a first round pick. Hoo-ray!!! We will have a kick returner, at the cost of five rounds. Seems a little bit silly to me. But, the Jets would do well, to make that kind of deal, as would any other team.

Hall finished 12th, amongst players with, at least, 10 punt returns, in PRA. And 20th in KRA amongst players who appeared in at least 10 games. Is that really horrible? From a guy who is capable of breaking one, anytime? I just think some have been too harsh, in criticizing Dante.

[Canada]

I agree...remember that Dante does not get the return opportunities that most other returners get. No one will kick to him anymore.

[jgunn1966]

Go point you two, also you must block people for him to get gaps to break in the open. We all can question some of his lack on calling for a fair catch,because he trying to make the big play.

[stlchief]

I like the idea of letting the 'young guns' compete for the starting WR job. I just hope they are competing with someone from this draft for the job. If either of the two guys Hermie was talking about were very good, they would have already seen the field.

They say one of them is the fastest guy on the team and Herm said last year he was frustrated that the offense was so complicated they couldn't get in -- they are still learning it. Huard ran a subset of what Green had at his disposal last year. It will get even simpler. I really believe we will see Kennison / Webb / Hannon as the 1-2-3 and Parker struggling to make the cut (if Hall goes, Parker is #4 receiver, if Hall stays, I think Sammie is gone).

Herm and Green have both said our secondary cannot cover these 2 young guys @ practice. And they have said how much they have learned going against some of the best (albeit aged) cover guys (Knight / Law / the young ones / etc.).

I think we have our receiving corps. No way a first day goes to a WR. Herm has said several times how it's a gamble to draft a receiver early --> and we all know he is not a gambler...

[Canada]

I will take a guy who tries to make something happen every kick over a guy that runs straight forward into the first guy in front of him anyday. He is still a fun guy to watch. As a WR...thats maybe a little different story.