FLOWERY BRANCH -- Falcons strong safety William Moore finds it ironic that he's getting playing time now because of an injury.
A second-round draft pick in 2009, Moore battled injuries and played in only two games last season.
With Erik Coleman rehabbing from a medial collateral ligament strain, Moore finally is on the field. In two starts, he has 15 tackles, one interception and one pass defensed.
Moore spoke to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about dealing with his injuries and expectations and how elated he is to finally be on the field.
Q: What has it been like to contribute as a starter in the past two games?
A: It's huge to get out there and find a comfort level. I'm getting trust from my guys on defense. As a young player, we've got a lot of young players out there, so it's been huge to get out there and start, just play and have fun. I'm enjoying every minute of it.
Q: How difficult was it battling through the injuries to get to this opportunity?
A: I used them as motivation. Hopefully I can use that one day as a story to some other kid. I've touched the bottom since I've been here as far as not even getting a snap on defense last year.
Q: How did you approach things once you got healthy?
A: I've been hungry all offseason. I've been busting my tail. That's definitely a part of showing that hard work pays off. I got an opportunity to start early here in the season, due to the circumstances with Erik, and you don't want that to happen to anybody, but I feel that I've stepped in there and have been holding it down.
Q: What's the one thing that you have to work on to get better?
A: Relaxing. I think that will take care of everything. Because I know my assignment and I know what I'm supposed to do. It's just the fact that I'm going out there and you get to thinking that ‘I don't want to mess up. I don't want this to happen.' You just need to go out there and play football. It's the same football game that you've been playing for years. I'm finding a comfort level where I can fly around and gain the coaches' trust. I just have to show them I know what I'm doing so I can move around more.
Q: Who on the team has helped you through the tough times?
A: Coach Alvin Reynolds. He's a great Christian guy. On and off the field he does a lot. He's like a father to me. Our relationship has been solid from Day One, even going back to the [NFL scouting] combine. He's been doing a lot to make sure that I get extra stuff done. When I call him and say, ‘coach I'm not sure about this.' We go in there and it's done. Curtis Lofton, it's odd because he's a linebacker, but he's been doing a great job with the off-the-field stuff. Making sure that I keep grinding and that I keep my head up.
Q: Was it comforting to see the Falcons draft your old college teammate Sean Weatherspoon?
A: Yeah, he's like a brother to me. I felt like with me being the older guy that I have to be a great leader to him. He's been doing an excellent job since he's been here.
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