DeAngelo Hall excited about facing former team

Flowery Branch — Former Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall was his jubilant self when discussing the matchup with the Falcons on Sunday on a teleconference call with the Atlanta Journal Constitution on Wednesday.

Of course, the former cornerback can’t wait for Sunday’s game.

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Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

Even though DeAngelo Hall plays for the Raiders he says the Falcons are his ‘family.’

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Hall was selected by the Falcons with the eighth pick in the 2004 draft and played four seasons with the team before wearing out his welcome and being traded to the Raiders this offseason.

There were some high moments: the two Pro Bowl seasons.

There were some low ones, too: his meltdown against Carolina’s Steve Smith last season.

But in a Q and A with Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter, Hall talked about getting his swagger back, how he developed Roddy White, his recent conversation with Michael Vick and how he hopes the Raiders win 48-42 on Sunday:

Q: How’s the transition been for you?

A: It’s been pretty good. Obviously, there was a little bit of a learning curve. The defense is different. They have a different philosophy. Different techniques. But I’m starting to adjust to it. I’ve been coming into my own over the last couple of weeks. Also I’m getting healthy and I’m feeling good.

Q: Coach [Tom] Cable said he told you to just relax and do your thing. How relaxing has that been for you?

A: He was with me in Atlanta. He knows the kind of way I tick. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been trying to fit in instead of being myself. That’s kind of taking away from who I am on the field. To hear him say that to me definitely gives me the confidence to go out there and be myself. Have fun. Talk [stuff]. Get a penalty or two. Get embraced and loved on the sidelines. I feel good. I starting to get my swagger back. At first I didn’t even know if I wanted to play football any more. But I feel good now.

Q: What happen in the season opener against Denver, when you were playing off the ball and Eddie Royal had the big game?

A: I was a little banged up. I tore some ligaments in my hand. I really couldn’t get up on the line and jam like I wanted to. I had sprained my toe. I really didn’t feel comfortable. I was slipping a whole lot. We had the baseball field down. I had a whole lot of excuses I could have used. At the end of the day, I just didn’t play to my ability.

Q: Excited about facing your old teammates?

A: Oh yeah, I can’t wait. I cannot wait. I felt like I taught Roddy [White] a thing or two. As well as the rest of those guys. I can’t want to get out there and match up with them on game day and see if I taught him good enough. He’s obviously having a hell of a year. I text him almost every game just to tell him to keep it up, stay motivated and stay in it. I want to see him cross that water. [Make the Pro Bowl and go to Hawaii]. I think that’s the next step for him. I want to see him get paid obviously. That’s also a step that’s coming in the future.

I feel like they are my family. I’d been around them for so long. I’ve watched them mature as players and people. My kids know them. I have a lot of feelings tied up in this game.

I can’t wait.

Q: Hearing from Roddy about how things are going in Atlanta under the new regime?

A: He just said they are back to having fun again. I knew that would be the case. [Coach Mike Smith] is a helluva coach. I knew that before he even got in Atlanta. I don’t have any hard feelings though. I love everybody down there. I hope I didn’t leave it too jacked up. But they are doing good. I’m happy for them.

Q: What’s is like having Nnamdi Asomugha at the other cornerback spot?

A: It’s hard work. I get more balls over here than I’ve got in my whole career. That’s definitely a little bit different. But you’ve got to want that. I have three interceptions right now. I probably dropped three last week. I’m getting a chance to make plays. I’m getting a chance to get the ball in my hands.

Q: Have you put last year in your rearview mirror yet?

A: I have. The whole [Bobby] Petrino thing … happened. He’s gone. I think everyone in the organization was disappointed in him as a person. Especially me and Arthur Blank. It happened. He’s gone. I’m over that. I wear new colors now. I can never forget Atlanta. I have a lot of friends there. I still live there. Will always live there.

Q: Have you talked to Michael Vick?

A: I have about three weeks ago. He’s doing good. Sounded good. He’s waiting for the next step. I don’t know if that’s going to be work release. I don’t know if he’s going to get out of these state charges. It’s really complicated. But he sounded good. He was in high spirits.

Q: Is he really playing football for the prison team?

A: No. He’s not playing any football out there.

Q: Have you talked to Jimmy Williams at all?

A: I have not. I have not been able to get him on the phone every since I found out about his suspension. After he got released, I guess everything just kind of snow-balled from there. I haven’t been able to reach out to him and talk to him since that time.

Q: What would be the ideal game for you on Sunday?

A: Just a win. Stats don’t really matter. They could take me to the house for five touchdowns as long as we win. 48-42, I’m good. We need a win as a team bad. That’s probably the first and foremost thing that’s going through my mind.