Falcons safety William Moore has some lofty goals for 2015.
“My personal goal is to be the best safety in the NFL,” Moore said on Thursday. “Not one of the best, but be the best.”
Moore sent to the Pro Bowl as an alternate after the 2012 season.
“I got it in my mind,” Moore said. “I have the confidence that I can go do it. It’s going to take some dedication from the classroom to out here on the field.”
Moore, who only played seven games last season, had offseason surgery on his right shoulder. He was cleared for the start of training camp and is rounding back into form.
“William Moore has been off to a terrific start,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.
It was a tough offseason for Moore, who was placed on short-term injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury against the Vikings on Sept. 28. He returned to play against the Cardinals on Nov. 30 after missing seven games, but then re-injured the shoulder against New Orleans on Dec. 21.
He put on some pounds and spent the offseason losing 15 to 20 pounds to get down to 217. He hopes to play between 215 and 220 this season. He was listed at 221 last season, but while nursing the shoulder added some weight.
“I stayed here the entire offseason, just working on my core and my body,” Moore said. “Doing things (that would help) to keep me healthy all season. I realize how I play.”
He believes playing at a lower weight will help.
“It isn’t going to change anything that I do,” Moore said. “It will just speed me up and that’s what we want to do in this defense.”
Moore is one of the team’s more physical players, but he figures that he needs to pick his battles better.
“I took into consideration that I like to run in there and be physical,” Moore said. “But at the same time I’m going to have to take care of my body throughout the season. I’m going to have to pick … know when to be smart. Not go in there doing dumb stuff, hitting on offensive linemen. That’s my goal.”
With Moore out of the lineup, the defense descended to the bottom of the league in overall defense. A healthy, smarter and better tackling Moore could help the defensive rebound.
“I know that I’ve been impressed with William and his size,” defensive coordinator Richard Smith said. “His tough demeanor. He’s in a linebacker’s body, but he’s moving well. I like his veteran-like attitude and his toughness.”
Moore, when he’s not in the box helping against the run, will be back in the middle of the field for the Falcons. He’s talked with Quinn about improving his tackling by not over-reacting.
“By being settled, that’s one thing that’s in my game that I really didn’t know,” Moore said. “I used to like to run and hit. Now, I have to ease myself down and figure out the proper tackle. The proper angle is No. 1.”
Moore said it hasn’t been a matter of getting too hyped.
“When you see that it’s a run,” Moore said. “As a middle field safety you want to protect the middle of the field. That’s what coach Quinn wants to preach about, protecting your spot and then play run. As a middle field safety you’re not going to make a tackle for a loss. Just be patient.”
Moore wants to speed up his mind to diagnose plays and slow down his feet. He wants to get the formation and the play down. “Then when you see it, just react,” Moore said.
Moore is hoping that he and the defense can achieve their goals.
“I know for sure that we are going to be better than we were, all because of the mindset that coach is preaching into our minds,” Moore said. “Run and be physical. Be ourselves. If you’re a ball hawk, then go get the ball.
“I feel awesome. Knock on wood, I’ve never felt this great.”
