Hall just honest about targeting injured players

Published: September 22nd, 2011 | Tags: London Fletcher, DeAngelo Hall, Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL Total Access, Tony Romo

Whether it’s a popular sentiment in Dallas or not, DeAngelo Hall’s shot-calling on Cowboys QB Tony Romo represents a truth of what happens between the lines in the NFL.

Teams and players look for any and every possible advantage on the field. That especially includes going after players with known injuries or reserves who have entered the game cold off the bench. It has, and always will be, part of the game.

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“It’s no different than when you have a guy who might have an injury coming into the game, or during the game. A cornerback who is hurt, obviously the offense is going to come at him,” Hall’s teammate, London Fletcher, told “NFL Total Access” Thursday. “If you have a sub coming into a game in a critical situation, you’re going to go after that guy. … Do you want to intentionally hurt somebody? No. But do we want to get a bunch of hats on him? Absolutely.”

It’s not just a defensive strategy, either. Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew said he “agrees totally” and admitted it’s was part of the reason he didn’t reveal his knee injury down the stretch last season.

“Any time you’re hurt, you have to understand they’re going to try to take you out of the game if they think that it’s going to help them win the game,” Jones-Drew said. “As bad as it sounds, that’s what this game is about, getting a ‘W’ at the end of the day.”

Hall doesn’t  shy away from sharing his opinions, and while his rant was maybe ill-timed and more honest than we’re used to, it’s nothing that should surprise anyone.

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