The third-year cornerback, who went to the Pro Bowl last year and won the NFL's Fastest Man competition in Hawaii this past February, has had his share of run-ins with players this season, including several Saturday night.
Aside from his game-long trash-talking battle with Owens, Hall had several questionable hits that flirted near the late-hit variety. Cowboys tackle Marc Colombo and Falcons defensive end Paul Carrington were both flagged for off-setting personal foul penalties on an extra point following a Cowboys touchdown in the third quarter. But it was Hall who actually started the skirmish, diving into Colombo's legs during the attempt and setting off the Cowboys' starting right tackle. And it was Hall who had to be restrained on the sidelines and had lengthy discussion with Falcons head coach Jim Mora Jr.
Earlier this season, Hall was called out by Lions center Dominic Raiola, who apparently had seen enough after Hall went after Lions quarterback John Kitna, who was already engaged in a fight with another player during a Nov. 5 game in Detroit.
"I wish I had been closer to the play, because I would have loved to take DeAngelo Hall's head off," Raiola said. "I promise that if I see him on the field again, I'll try to take his head off. I don't care if it is 10 or 15 years from now, and we're playing for different teams -- I'll try to get him. He's a cheap-shot artist -- he tried to hurt (Bengals RB) Rudi Johnson last week -- and that was a cheap shot. You don't go after a guy's head."
Three weeks later, Hall was flagged for a personal foul after giving up a 76-yard touchdown pass to New Orleans wide receiver Devery Henderson on the third play from scrimmage. After getting burned on the play, Hall dragged Henderson down eight yards into the end zone from behind in the "horse collar" technique.
While Saturday's incident certainly is the biggest involving Owens and Hall, it's not exactly the first. The two have traded a few words through the media, especially after last year's season opener when Owens played for the Eagles.
"Last year he said he shut me down, and yet I had (112) yards," said Owens, who caught seven passes during the Eagles' loss to the Falcons. "So he's going to say whatever he wants to say. I just wanted to come out there (Saturday night) and show him what I'm made out of."
