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View Full Version : Stint in Marines part of odd path to key role in NFL for Angleton's Hall



thedrifter
12-08-06, 06:46 AM
Dec. 8, 2006, 1:41AM
ON PRO FOOTBALL
There's more than one Titan coming home Sunday
Stint in Marines part of odd path to key role in NFL for Angleton's Hall

By JOHN MCCLAIN
Houston Chronicle

Vince Young has a Major for an agent and a sergeant for a bodyguard.

Major Adams negotiated Young's first contract with the Titans that guaranteed him $26.7 million and another $4.3 million if he played 35 percent of the snaps and led them to five victories, one more than last season. Young already has reached both incentives.

Rookie fullback Ahmard Hall, who rose to sergeant during a four-year stint in the Marines, followed Young from the University of Texas to Tennessee.

It's not a coincidence that once Hall was given more playing time, the Titans' running game improved dramatically, and Young's development accelerated to a point where Tennessee is 5-2 in his last seven starts.

"Ahmard's an animal," Young said during a break in preparations for his homecoming game Sunday at Reliant Stadium. "He's already one of the best blocking fullbacks in the NFL.

"He's running, blocking and catching. Everybody looks for someone like that, and I'm just honored to play with him."

Young and Hall have a lot in common, but they took different paths to the NFL.

Hall, who grew up in Angeleton, didn't have good enough grades to fulfill his dream of playing football at a major college program, so he followed his brother-in-law into the Marines.

Tough tours of duty

In 1999, Hall served in Kosovo. In 2002, he served in Afghanistan. When he reached the rank of sergeant, he had 75 Marines under him. When his tour ended, his superiors tried to talk him into re-upping because he had been an exemplary leader and soldier, but Hall wanted to scratch that football itch.

He walked on at Texas. In three seasons, he played in 24 games, earning a reputation as a hard worker, fierce blocker and team leader everyone admired.

Coach Mack Brown put him on a full scholarship last season, and Hall was a member of the national championship team.

The Longhorns thought Hall would have one more year of eligibility, and they petitioned the NCAA but were turned down.

He wasn't available for the April draft but became eligible for the supplemental draft.

Though he weighed almost 240 and ran a 4.58 40-yard dash for the scouts, no team selected him in the supplemental draft. The Titans and Packers wanted to sign him as a free agent. Hall wanted to be reunited with Young and another Longhorn-turned-Titan, tight end Bo Scaife, so he headed to Nashville and signed in July.

Hall, who turned 27 last month, plays 25 to 30 snaps a game, depending on how much the Titans have the ball and what formation they use. He helps protect Young, and he clears holes for running back Travis Henry, who has 849 yards rushing.

In their first four games, the Titans averaged 70.3 yards rushing, ranking 30th in the league. Over their last eight games, the Titans are 5-3, and they've averaged 165.5 yards rushing, ranking second. Hall has been a big part of their success on the ground.

"We've been impressed with Ahmard since the day he got here," coach Jeff Fisher said. "Keep in mind that he missed all the offseason program and minicamps and basically just showed up at training camp without any understanding of what we're doing."

Hall applied the work ethic he perfected in the Marines and made a quick impression on his coaches and teammates.

"He applied himself and learned," Fisher said. "He's very, very serious about his job. Not only is he a real physical player, but he's emotional and inspirational, and the guys love him. When he's on the field, he's been very productive."

Hall is a ferocious lead blocker for Henry. He loves to get physical with pass rushers who are zeroing in on Young. He's also the kind of hellbent-for-leather special teams player coaches dream about acquiring.

Not about the numbers

Hall's contributions to the Titans' success in their last seven games, including a three-game winning streak, can't be calculated with statistics. His teammates, especially Young, know how valuable he is to them.

Perhaps when Young starts collecting on that additional bonus in February, he can show Hall some love for helping protect him.

"I'm sure we're going to get Ahmard under a long-term contract after the things he's done this year," Fisher said.

When the Titans come out of the visitors' tunnel at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, the eyes of Texas will be on Young, but the eyes of Angleton will be on Hall.

john.mcclain@chron.com

Ellie