Fracas may lead Redskins’ Hall to file complaint

NOTEBOOK: Former Falcon says Atlanta coaches looked to ‘get some licks in’ after late hit on sideline

McClatchy wire services | • Published November 09, 2009

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Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall says Atlanta coach Mike Smith cursed at him and a Falcons assistant tried to “get some licks in” during a sideline shoving match Sunday in Atlanta.

Hall said he plans to file a complaint with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that Smith “cussed me out” and Falcons director of athletic performance Jeff Fish and others “put their hands on me.”

Hall said he was trying to pull teammate LaRon Landry away from the Atlanta sideline after Landry was called for a late hit on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Hall and Landry immediately were surrounded by Falcons players and staff members.

Other Washington players joined in, but much of the attention was on Hall, a former Falcons player who had talked all week of being bitter at the way he was treated when traded after the 2007 season. He played in Atlanta for four years and made the Pro Bowl twice.

Hall said he was trying to get away from Fish and others.

“After that, Coach Smith came over to me, talking (expletive) to me, saying they were going to kick my (butt),” Hall said. “I stay in Atlanta during the offseason, so if Mike Smith wants to see me, he can definitely find me.”

When asked about Hall’s role in the pushing and shoving, Smith said, “There were a bunch of guys on that sideline. Some of them were wearing black helmets and some of them were wearing maroon helmets. I can’t tell you anything more about it.”

Hall said he plans to take his complaints to the league.

“I’m going to get on the horn with commissioner Goodell and we’re going to figure out a way how to nip this in the bud,” Hall said. “It’s different with me coming in trying to break stuff up and as a strength coach, if you’re coming at me and you’re trying to get licks, that ain’t how you do things.

“They need to have some repercussions and something needs to happen to them, too.”

Ryan had just stepped out of bounds when Landry delivered a blow to the quarterback’s back late in the second quarter of the Falcons’ 31-17 win. As penalty flags flew, Hall jumped into the middle of things.

Henry breaks arm, future uncertain

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry wasn’t sure whether he’d play again this season after he broke his arm during a 17-7 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Henry broke his left forearm just above the wrist when he was tackled by cornerback Fabian Washington after a 20-yard reception. Henry’s back hit the ground and Washington landed on top of him. A replay showed the forearm bowing slightly.

The medical staff put an inflatable cast on the arm and called for a cart to take him for an exam. Henry said he won’t know his status for the rest of the season until he sees a specialist today.

Extra points

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook was inactive for Sunday’s game against Dallas Cowboys, the second straight game he missed because of a concussion. Westbrook experienced symptoms of a mild headache Friday, and the Eagles held him out as a precaution. … Carolina starting linebacker Thomas Davis was helped off the field in the fourth quarter of the Panthers’ 30-20 loss at New Orleans, apparently injuring his right knee.