ASHBURN - Here are some notes from Wednesday's practice out at Redskins Park:
Hall is doing just fine
DeAngelo Hall wants everyone to know he's doing well after his self-critical post-game rant after Sunday's loss to the Cowboys. Hall was beaten in pass coverage multiple times by Cowboys standout receiver Dez Bryant, including on a critical 3rd-and-15 in overtime that led to the game-winning field goal. The corner then said that if he were the front office, he'd be released from the team.
On Wednesday, he urged everyone that he has rebounded emotionally from Sunday, and that his confidence is still sky-high.
"People think I'm on suicide watch," Hall said. "I'm perfectly fine. Still swagged out, still feel like I'm one of the best in the game."
What Hall didn't back off of, however, is the fact that he still doesn't think he's having his best season.
"I probably haven't been as productive as I would have liked to," he explained. "If you go back and watch the games and watch the film, the coaches tell me and other coaches in the league tell me I'm playing great football. Those [critical] plays you gotta finish. You gotta finish games and you gotta make every play. I'm frustrated at myself. I still feel like I'm a hell of a corner, but at the same time I gotta make those plays."
He isn't the only one who believes he's still one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL, apparently. Over the past 48 hours Hall said that he's been reached by a number of veterans around the league who offered words of encouragement.
"I think everybody's heard it. I had so many calls from other guys in the league telling me how great I was as a corner and I was like ‘Dude, I'm not on suicide watch", said a grinning Hall. "I had guys like [Larry] Fitzgerald, [Ben] Rothlisberger, Chad [Ochocinco], all these guys calling me to try to encourage me. "
And with that, Hall will get his chance to rebound against the Seahawks receiving corps Sunday.
Royster finally gets his chance
The Redskins backfield has been a revolving door, one that has featured the likes of Tim Hightower, Roy Helu, Ryan Torain and Tashard Choice. But with Choice being released by the team Tuesday, it was finally time for rookie sixth round pick Evan Royster, as the Penn State product was elevated from practice squad Tuesday evening.
"I was excited," Royster said of his long-awaited promotion. "I was giddy all day. I was excited, telling everybody I know, my family and stuff. It's a great experience, a great opportunity for me."
With Royster now added to the 53-man roster, he is the tenth member of the 2011 draft class to make the squad. It would seem the coaching staff was unsatisfied with Choice's efforts Sunday against Dallas, so much so that it was enough to give Royster a chance. Either way, the rookie will take it.
"I had no clue [this would happen]," he said. "I did not expect it. When I was leaving here after I lifted [Tuesday] and they pulled me aside and told me. I was in complete shock."
"The whole year has been an emotional rollercoaster for me. It's just good that the opportunity is here and I get to try and prove myself."
Landry, Moss likely to give it a go Sunday
Safety Laron Landry, who missed last week due to a sore achilles, says he expects to play in Sunday's game. Landry felt he could have played against the Cowboys Sunday, but the coaching staff thought it prudent to keep him out for one week so he can keep playing the rest of the way.
"[It's] something that I knew was going to nag me going through each week [during the season]," Landry said of the achilles. "It caught up to me [last week] and it got a little sore [and] a little aggravated more than usual, and I wait for it to [go] back down to being manageable."
It's clear Landry's injury will still linger during the last six weeks of the season, but the soon-to-be free agent certainly feels like he can play at a high level despite it.
"At this point, the latter part of the season, I think week in and week out it's going to be a little achy, it just depends on how achy. It feels good this week, looking forward to play this Sunday. I can't wait."'
As for another injured starter, wideout Santana Moss tested his injured hand in practice for the first time in over a month.
"It felt pretty good," said Moss. "I've been catching since I got the pins out. I'm big on not trying to get everybody too crazy and get any hopes too high, I just wanted to go out there and take it day after day and see where I'm at."
Moss fractured his hand against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7 and has been inactive the last four games.
Mike Shanahan said after practice he believes both Landry and Moss could play Sunday should neither of them suffer any setbacks during the week.