DIDN'T KNOW DOC WAS ALSO A MECHANIC
The Eagles signed wide receiver Chad Hall to a three-year contract, a former Air Force Academy star and currently a second lieutenant in the Air Force, the team announced.
The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Hall worked out at the NovaCare Complex today and was signed soon thereafter. Hall hasn't played organized football in two years, but he's a speedy, versatile-type receiver/returner. Think Danny Amendola.
"I think my versatility is one of my strengths because I can a couple of different positions," Hall said during a conference call. "It's whatever they need. I'll do whatever they ask of me."
In college, he was mostly a scat back.
Hall did say that the Eagles primarily brought him in to be looked at as a returner. The team started last season with a number of options in the kick return department. But after Ellis Hobbs was lost for the season, three guys -- Quintin Demps, Jeremy Maclin and Macho Harris -- had trouble filling the role.
Hall is a maintenance officer in the Air Force. He still has to fulfill his obligation to the Air Force, but he said he should be back in Philadelphia by Monday.
Two years ago, Hall was in the Atlanta Falcon's minicamp. He also tried out with the Bills. He said his military obligations were not exactly defined then, but he eventually enrolled in the Air Force. He admitted after the two-year layoff that he's out of shape -- he said his current weight fluctuates between 185-194 pounds -- but he expects to be ready by minicamp.
Here's some more on Hall from a team press release:
A three-year letterman at the Air Force Academy, Hall (5-8, 180) was a triple threat in his college career at running back, receiver and returner. He was named the Mountain West Conference offensive player of the year as a senior in 2007 after becoming the only player in the nation to lead his team in rushing yards (1,478), receiving yards (524 on 50 catches) and all-purpose yards (2,683), while adding 16 total touchdowns (15 rushing, one receiving). A first-team all-conference selection that season, Hall led the conference and ranked third nationally with 208.7 all-purpose yards per game. In addition, he broke school records for most rushing yards (275) and all-purpose yards (333) in a game, both done vs. Army on November 3. Hall finished his career as the school’s all-time leader with 4,098 all-purpose yards (2,606 rushing, 780 receiving, 712 return). He also posted 77 career receptions and 24 total touchdowns (21 rushing, three receiving).
The 23-year-old Hall has spent the past two years serving as a second lieutenant at Hill Air Force Base in Salt Lake City, UT. The Atlanta, GA, native attended Wesleyan High School (Norcross, GA), where he earned all-state honors as a quarterback and defensive back. The two-sport star also earned all-county accolades as a point guard in basketball.
