Washington Redskins' Biggers shifts over to safety

ASHBURN - The job description for an NFL player involves keeping secrets, and E.J. Biggers proved more than capable last week.

The Washington Redskins' cornerback was approached by coaches and asked to move to safety, given the uncertainty surrounding starter Brandon Meriweather.

Biggers made the move, something fans, reporters, and even his friends didn't learn until Monday night.

"That's just something you know as an NFL player," Biggers said. "There's nothing you should be telling in the NFL. Everything's gonna come out on game day."

Washington has backup safeties, including veteran Reed Doughty, but defensive coordinator Jim Haslett wanted Biggers in the spot for a very specific reason.

"He runs a 4.31," Haslett said, referencing Biggers' time in the 40-yard dash. "We wanted to get some more speed on the field."

With Meriweather sidelined by a groin injury, Biggers got the nod for the Redskins. Before last week, he hadn't played safety since high school.

He debuted to mostly positive reviews, though the defense as a whole struggled to contain Philadelphia in the first half.

"He's a super smart guy," Meriweather said of Biggers. "He's probably one of our smartest (defensive backs). You really don't have to tell him much; you just tell him to go out there and be a football player, and he went out and did it."

Whether Biggers is needed this week remains to be seen. Meriweather practiced with the team again on Thursday, and feels he's turning the corner.

He said he tries not to get too excited, though, in case there's another letdown around the corner.

After signing a free-agent deal with Washington, Meriweather was dominant in the first half of the first game of the 2012 season. He hasn't played since.

Teammates are eager for his return, even if it's almost impossible for him to live up to the hype.

"That game he played, it was like he found the star in Mario Brothers," defensive end Barry Cofield said. "He just ran through everything on the field. He was in turbo speed, and we were all regular people.

"If he can give us just half that, he'll be great."

Depending on whether Meriweather gets clearance, Biggers might get his second start at safety since high school.

He said he's leaning on the veterans to teach him what he needs to know.

"Playing the nickel position makes it a lot easier," he said, referring to his cornerback position. "I know where the safety is going to line up and where the safety's job is."

That knowledge remained a secret until Monday, when he expanded his repertoire in surprising fashion.

Report: Hall fined for hit versus Eagles

Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall was fined by the NFL for his late hit on Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson.

Comcast SportsNet reported the amount of the fine at $20,000, and said Hall will appeal the decision. Jackson also was fined for retaliating after the hit.

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