Redskins' Hall provides scouting report on 49ers

Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall, an eight-year NFL veteran, provided an informative scouting report on the 49ers offense in a conference call Wednesday morning.Quarterback Alex Smith is showing he can win football games with a "controlled passing game" and the 49ers offer the unique challenge of putting tight ends on the field who are faster than their wide receivers, Hall said.The 49ers (6-1) own the 23rd-ranked offense in the NFL, but the Redskins (3-4) know they'll have a huge challenge against an offense that features a diverse run game and an efficient passing attack."Alex Smith is not losing the game," Hall said. "He's shown that he can win football games. And I think everybody knew he had it in him. He just had to be coached the right way, and I think coach (Jim) Harbaugh is doing a great job of coaching him the right way.
"Being an ex-player and ex-quarterback, he knows what it takes to go out there and lead teams to victory. He definitely has Alex Smith focused and knowing his job and knowing his assignment."RELATED: Where's the trash-talk from DeAngelo Hall?
Smith as the second-most stingy quarterback in the NFL with an interception percentage of 1.1. That means he averages just 1.1 interceptions for every 100 passes attempted. (The Rams' Sam Bradford leads with an interception percentage is 1.0.)"He doesn't give you great opportunities," Hall said of Smith. "It's a very controlled passing game. He's going take a couple of shots downfield when opportunities present themselves, but for the most part it's a controlled passing game. It's a passing game that works off timing, works off his reads. If he doesn't see it, he pulls it down and tries to extend the play. He's done a great job of doing that."The 49ers are unique because of the speed they can put on field. Hall said he was blown away Wednesday morning when he received the scouting report on the 49ers' pass targets and noticed the tight ends were faster than the wideouts."Any time you can keep your tight ends on the field and be able to throw the ball and run the ball, it's special," Hall said. "It's special when you have tight ends who run like receivers. We looked at 40 times today. Man, looking at personnel and the tight ends are faster than the starting receivers. That's rare to find. Those guys are gifted athletes and when they get the ball in their hands, they're special."Vernon Davis was listed on the report as running the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds. Delanie Walker was listed at 4.5. Wide receiver Michael Crabtree was listed at 4.52, Hall said.
When asked if Crabtree is a deep threat that the Redskins have to worry about, Hall answered, "I don't know if he's a deep threat you have to worry about, but he's definitely a guy who can catch the ball and get down the field. I don't think anybody in this league playing receiver can't play, can't run."The 49ers' passing attack ranks 31st in the league in yards per game. But the team's main offensive threat comes on the ground. The 49ers' run game ranks sixth in the NFL, as Frank Gore has gained 125 yards or more rushing in each of the past four games."Man, they're just mashing guys," Hall said. "They're running the ball great with Frank Gore. They're bringing in a change-of-pace back (Kendall Hunter) and their offensive line is a monster. They're bringing in Isaac Sopoaga, extra tackles. They're just running it down people's throats."That's something we're definitely going to have to do, stop the run. They've done a great job over the last couple of weeks, and we know that that's something they're going to try to do."