Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009

Hall fits into the Spagnuolo scheme with his versatility

Can play defensive end and tackle

ST. LOUIS -- Versatility is the trait that St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo covets in his defensive linemen, and it's also veteran James Hall's greatest attribute.

The 6-foot-2, 281-pound Hall is capable of playing either defensive end or defensive tackle.

"He's very versatile,'' Spagnuolo said. "I think James Hall is a good football player. He's done it before, he's played some tackle and some end, so he'll continue to do that.''

Hall played defensive end and defensive tackle last season for the Rams. He had 60 tackles, 14 quarterback pressures and a team-leading 6.5 sacks.

"Doing it last year in games, I have a better comfort level with it,'' Hall said. "Fortunately for me, it plays into his scheme and what he is looking for.''

Hall, 32, seems like a perfect fit for Spagnuolo's defensive system.

Spagnuolo could be looking for Hall to fill the Jason Tuck role in his defense.

Tuck might line up in any of the spots along the defensive line for the New York Giants the last two years. Anywhere Spagnuolo, the Giants' defensive coordinator, could create a mismatch.

That unpredictability led to Tuck registering 22 sacks in two seasons under Spagnuolo.

"It's a very aggressive scheme,'' Hall said of Spagnuolo's defense. "Rushing the passer is very important to it as well as the coverage aspect of it. The expectations are going to be high for Coach Spagnuolo.''

Spagnuolo has been known to line up four defensive ends across the defensive line in passing situations.

"We have a lot of packages, very aggressive,'' Hall said. "Defensive linemen like aggressive packages.''

Hall said he'd played sparingly at defensive tackle prior to last season.

"I've done it before, but that's probably the most I've done it on a consistent basis,'' Hall said.

Hall said it's not easy moving from defensive end to defensive tackle.

"It's totally different technique, totally different mindset,'' Hall said. " It's something that doesn't come easy. It's something you have to get a feel for, develop. For a defensive end, if you can't rush outside, you definitely can't go rush inside. I credit a lot of it to just being an experienced player, playing in the league for nine years.''

Hall said he didn't need to gain any extra weight to get ready for playing defensive tackle this season.

"I pretty much weigh the same as I did last year because I (played inside) last year,'' Hall said.

Hall said Spagnuolo's attacking defense benefits young plays as well as veterans.

"It kind of helps young players,'' Hall said. "You don't have to think as much. It gives him an opportunity to make plays and build his confidence.''

Hall has shown that he can be productive pass rusher. He had 11.5 sacks with the Detroit Lions in 2004.

The Rams acquired Hall from the Detroit Lions in March, 2007, with the hope that he could provide some relief from double teams for defensive end Leonard Little.

However, shoulder and ankle injuries limited Hall's effectiveness. He finished with only 2.5 sacks in 15 games at right defensive end in 2007.

Hall rebounded last season, and he has been almost unblockable in one-on-one pass rushing drills during training camp.

"Yes, he's done some good things,'' Spagnuolo noted.