Moore eager to join Falcons’ secondary

Flowery Branch — After the Falcons chose safety William Moore from Missouri with their second-round pick, it was harder to tell who was more excited — the Falcons or Moore.

“Man, excited is not the word,” Moore said shortly after being taken No. 55 overall. “It’s a blessing. When the whole process was going on, everybody asked me where I’ve love to go. I said Atlanta. It’s like when I went to Missouri, I had the feeling, the players, the direction they’re headed. I know I can go in and make an instant impact.”

Last year’s third-round pick Chevis Jackson became the nickel back as a rookie. Look for bigger things from Moore, who should be given every chance to win the strong-safety spot vacated by Lawyer Milloy.

The Falcons love that Moore weighs 221 pounds and can run a 4.45 40. Coach Mike Smith likes Moore’s football acumen and the fact that he played three positions for Missouri — strong safety, free safety and nickel back.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff is quick to point out how impressive Moore’s statistics were over the course of his college career.

“Any time you can get a safety at that size, at that speed, who has also produced 11 career interceptions and 22 [pass breakups],” Dimitroff said. “Those are nearing the numbers of some of the corners that are coming out in this year’s draft.”

Moore was projected to go in the top 10 of last year’s draft and decided to return to Missouri for his senior season. After an injury-plagued senior season, he dropped to the second round in a draft richer in safeties.

He hurt his foot in the first game of the season and never got healthy.

“It was very tough,” Moore said. “I know what type of player I am, and I know what all I’ve put in thus far. When I slipped, I just went by what my mom says and that’s everything happens for a reason. And this had to be the reason. I’m going down to Atlanta, and I’m ready to roll. It makes me more hungry.”

After making a school-record eight interceptions as a junior, which tied for the NCAA lead, Moore had only one interception as a senior. That didn’t bother the Falcons, who looked at the bigger picture and saw real value.

“We spent a lot of time with him on the field and through interviews,” Dimitroff said. “William is the type of guy we want to be one of the mainstays on our defense.”

Moore was a captain at Missouri and led the efforts to honor teammate Aaron O’Neal, who died during summer workouts in 2005.

Moore asked Missouri coach Gary Pinkel if a senior could wear No. 25 each game. Moore wore No. 25 on senior night in a blowout over Kansas State. He’s hoping to wear it as a Falcon, though cornerback Von Hutchins wears it now.

“I’m really trying to get it, and if not I’ll get it some time,” Moore said. “What I’m trying to do now is play for him.”