Falcons coach Bobby Petrino: DeAngelo Hall faces 'significant discipline' following meltdown
Monday, September 24, 2007
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said Monday there will be "significant discipline" for cornerback DeAngelo Hall, whose meltdown played a crucial role in the loss to Carolina.
Despite shutting down receiver Steve Smith through most of the Panthers' 27-20 win Sunday, Hall lost his cool and drew three penalties for 67 yards on Carolina's game-tying drive in the third quarter.
Hall, enraged by the penalties, then engaged Petrino and assistant coach Joe Whitt Jr. in heated sideline tirades.
At one point, Hall had to be restrained by three players.
Hall earned his second straight Pro Bowl berth last season, but his status for next week's game against Houston is uncertain.
"We certainly don't like the actions that took place on the field and do not like the actions that happened on the sideline and that's something that we'll deal with," Petrino said. "There will be substantial discipline. It will be handled in-house."
When asked if Hall faces a possible suspension, Petrino said "We haven't come to any conclusions yet. We're keeping all our options open, but we certainly will do something."
Hall complained after the game that each of the three penalties were called by the same referee. He said he and Smith were "jawing back and forth" but only he was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
"The calls could have easily went the other way," Hall said. "They went against us. We didn't catch a break the whole day. It was just typical of the season right now. We're just not catching breaks."
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Falcons coach Bobby Petrino: DeAngelo Hall faces 'significant discipline' following meltdown