BengalszoneBilly Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 This just in from the AP wire...Rams acquire returner Dante Hall from Chiefs AP - Apr 25, 1:40 pm EDT ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Rams' long search for a return man ended Wednesday when the team acquired Dante Hall from Kansas City in exchange for a fifth-round pick in this weekend's draft. "We have filled a need with one of the top players in football at his specialty, returning punts and kicks," Rams coach Scott Linehan said. "Dante will fit nicely on our special teams and can be utilized as a receiver in certain situations." The trade could have draft-day implications. The Rams had expressed strong interest in Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr., as much for his return ability as for his resume as a receiver. St. Louis also has several needs on defense. As part of the trade, the teams swapped positions in the third round -- the Chiefs moving up to 82nd overall, the Rams down to 84th. "We have to get younger, and the only way you can do that is through the draft," Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. "You're going to have to give up something to get something." The trade also gives Kansas City seven draft choices. "We feel that it's always important to have at least seven draft picks," Chiefs president Carl Peterson said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to acquire another one or two in the days to come." The Rams have struggled for years on kick returns. Last season, St. Louis averaged 7.8 yards per punt return. Only five teams were worse. The Rams were 26th in kickoff returns, averaging 21.3 yards. The 28-year-old Hall has returned 11 kickoffs and punts for touchdowns in his seven-year career, including four (two kickoffs, two punts) in 2003. Brian Mitchell holds the record with 14 kick-return touchdowns, followed by Eric Metcalf with 12. Hall also needs one more kickoff return for a touchdown to break the record of six he shares with Ollie Matson, Gale Sayers, Travis Williams and Mel Gray. Hall was the NFL's top returner from 2002-2004. His production declined the last two season, though he had one punt return for a touchdown last season, on Oct. 1 against San Francisco. In 2003, he averaged 25.9 yards per kickoff return and 16.3 yards per punt return. Last season, Hall averaged 22.8 yards on 53 kickoff returns and 8.9 yards on 27 punt returns. He also caught 26 passes, two for touchdowns. For his career, all of it with Kansas City, Hall averaged 24 yards per kickoff return and 10 yards per punt return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Look for them to go after Ted Ginn. Maybe we can coax them into a draft day trade so they can leap frog the Titans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duus Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Question ... would you have been willing to trade a 5th rounder from the Bengals this year for Hall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whur CHad At? Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 hell no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted April 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Question ... would you have been willing to trade a 5th rounder from the Bengals this year for Hall?No way, Jose'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Question ... would you have been willing to trade a 5th rounder from the Bengals this year for Hall?Maybe. He's younger than Chad or TJ and beyond Chatman we've got little vet experience at wideout. Probably would have preferred to wait until Sunday to see how the chips were falling, tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShulaSteakhouse Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 yeah God forbid the Bengals' give up the practice squad spot they get in the 5th round this year for a bonified kick returner.Wouldn't want to lose that - oh no. This would actually mean the Bengals' are serious about winning now. Then all the homers would lose their beloved "building for the future" excuse they've been using the last 16 years!And hell, we've got 2-yard Ratliff and Chatman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 If supporting the Bengals for employing a long-term plan focused on long-term success makes me a homer, then you can call me a homer all day long. I'd rather be a homer than a cry-baby whom takes pot shots at people with differing views (i.e. realistic expectations and demands) in every thread he can.If the Bengals lose in the divisional playoffs this year after attaining a first round bye, I'll look for you to bitch about it for five months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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