Bob's your Information Minister
04-10-2005, 04:18 PM
http://www.tennessean.com/sports/ti...ent_ID=68027878
Hall: Young linemen must improve quickly
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
Former Titans defensive end Carlos Hall knows all about having to step up.
As a rookie in 2002, he was thrown into the fire when Jevon Kearse went down with an injury in the opener and responded with an eight-sack season.
After the Titans traded Hall to the Chiefs this week, additional pressure immediately shifted to young defensive ends Travis LaBoy, Antwan Odom and Bo Schobel. They're not rookies anymore, and they can't afford to play like it.
"'Tennessee, they may regret they let me go because I plan on having a big season,'' Hall said. ''But at the same time they have Bo and Travis and Antwan, and between those guys I think they'll be OK. They'll have to grow real fast, but I had to grow real fast because of Jevon and they already have a year under their belts. But they have a great leader in Coach Wash (Jim Washburn).''
Hall was expected to start for the Titans in his fourth season. In his first three seasons he started 31 games and recorded 13.5 sacks.
Last season, LaBoy (3.5), Odom (2.0) and Schobel (0) combined for 5.5 sacks, though Schobel only played in five games because of an injury. Two of them likely will start at defensive end this fall.
''Bo didn't get a lot of playing experience but he has a tough attitude and mentality,'' Hall said. ''Travis is going to be all right, he has great speed. And Antwan Odom is a lot like myself.''
Hall said the key to the line will be defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Hall said he talked to Haynesworth on Thursday night and liked what he heard.
''He sounds like he is ready to step into the leadership role,'' Hall said. ''Now that Kevin Carter is gone, he is the man in that d-line room. I think he has grown a whole lot just this offseason. I think he has changed his attitude.''
Hall said he wishes he could have stayed with the Titans but didn't think they were committed to him long-term. He was scheduled to make $656,000 on a one-year deal in Tennessee. He's expected to get a multiyear deal from Kansas City.
''It wasn't nothing but great times there in Nashville,'' Hall said. ''I enjoyed the coaches, I enjoyed the team, I enjoyed the atmosphere.
''Now I want to help Kansas City. They need speed at defensive end. I am hoping I can do the same thing Jevon did. He went to Philadelphia and things worked out for him.''
Hall: Young linemen must improve quickly
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
Former Titans defensive end Carlos Hall knows all about having to step up.
As a rookie in 2002, he was thrown into the fire when Jevon Kearse went down with an injury in the opener and responded with an eight-sack season.
After the Titans traded Hall to the Chiefs this week, additional pressure immediately shifted to young defensive ends Travis LaBoy, Antwan Odom and Bo Schobel. They're not rookies anymore, and they can't afford to play like it.
"'Tennessee, they may regret they let me go because I plan on having a big season,'' Hall said. ''But at the same time they have Bo and Travis and Antwan, and between those guys I think they'll be OK. They'll have to grow real fast, but I had to grow real fast because of Jevon and they already have a year under their belts. But they have a great leader in Coach Wash (Jim Washburn).''
Hall was expected to start for the Titans in his fourth season. In his first three seasons he started 31 games and recorded 13.5 sacks.
Last season, LaBoy (3.5), Odom (2.0) and Schobel (0) combined for 5.5 sacks, though Schobel only played in five games because of an injury. Two of them likely will start at defensive end this fall.
''Bo didn't get a lot of playing experience but he has a tough attitude and mentality,'' Hall said. ''Travis is going to be all right, he has great speed. And Antwan Odom is a lot like myself.''
Hall said the key to the line will be defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Hall said he talked to Haynesworth on Thursday night and liked what he heard.
''He sounds like he is ready to step into the leadership role,'' Hall said. ''Now that Kevin Carter is gone, he is the man in that d-line room. I think he has grown a whole lot just this offseason. I think he has changed his attitude.''
Hall said he wishes he could have stayed with the Titans but didn't think they were committed to him long-term. He was scheduled to make $656,000 on a one-year deal in Tennessee. He's expected to get a multiyear deal from Kansas City.
''It wasn't nothing but great times there in Nashville,'' Hall said. ''I enjoyed the coaches, I enjoyed the team, I enjoyed the atmosphere.
''Now I want to help Kansas City. They need speed at defensive end. I am hoping I can do the same thing Jevon did. He went to Philadelphia and things worked out for him.''