"I'm where I wanted to be from the jump," said the Chesapeake, Va., native and former Virginia Tech star. Hall was traded from Atlanta to Oakland in March but became a Redskin on Saturday, three days after he was cut by the Raiders. "I felt like this team was close to a championship. I felt like I did fit in, whether it was right away or in the future."

As for the past, Hall does have some regrets. The eighth selection in the 2004 draft, Hall went to the Pro Bowl under coach Jim Mora, Jr. the next two seasons, but he clashed last year with new coach Bobby Petrino, drawing a $100,000 fine for a sideline confrontation during a loss to Carolina. Hall, who was benched for the next game, said he got his money back on appeal but didn't lose his distaste for the Falcons.

"I was so eager to get out of Atlanta, I really didn't take my time," Hall said. "If I did, I would've probably been here from the jump. I was so eager to get out that I ended up going to a situation that probably wasn't the best for me."

No kidding. According to STATS LLC, Hall allowed a league-most 552 yards on 40 catches against him (tied for third) in his eight ugly games with the Raiders.

"That situation in Oakland kind of left a bitter taste in my mouth," Hall said. "A lot of people in the media were speculating that I was running all over the place, doing whatever I wanted to do. That wasn't the case at all. I'm 24 years old. I have had a lot of success in this league, but I'm still young. I still have a lot to learn. I still have a lot of maturing to do. That all comes with time."

The Redskins treated that half a season as if it didn't happen.

"It's like Christmas had come early," cornerbacks coach Jerry Gray said. "I know what he did in Atlanta. The thing we've got to do is figure out what he can do for us now and how fast we can get him up to speed. He can get out on the corner. He can play inside. He can match up on the best receiver and make game-changing plays."

Indeed, in just 4 1/2 seasons, Hall has 20 interceptions for 469 yards and three touchdowns. During that same span, Washington's holdover veteran corners Shawn Springs, Fred Smoot and Carlos Rogers have combined for 19 interceptions for 265 yards and two touchdowns.

Rogers (heel) and Smoot (groin) have been a little gimpy of late, and Springs missed the past four games with a calf injury that sidelined him again during Monday's practice.

"(Hall's) one of the best in the league and a great addition to what we already have," Rogers said. "It won't break up the chemistry. Four potential starters ... cocky guys, but we're going to make it work."

The Redskins cut Leigh Torrence to make room for Hall. Torrence, tied for fourth on the team in special teams tackles, had helped save the Sept. 21 victory over NFC West leader Arizona by tipping a Kurt Warner bomb to Rogers for a late interception. But Torrence was the goat of the stunning Oct. 12 loss to lowly St. Louis when he was burned by rookie Donnie Avery for the 43-yard catch that set up the late game-winning field goal.