Kareem Moore comfortable with his ‘skins

Former Nicholls safety Kareem Moore experienced his share of bumps and bruises in his first NFL season after he was drafted in the sixth round (180th overall) by the Washington Redskins in last year’s draft.

The 25-year-old missed much of training camp with an injury and was stuck with the lingering injury into the season.

However, he didn’t let that hinder him. He still finished his rookie campaign with 17 tackles (11 solo) in 14 games last season.

The Tupelo, Miss., native impressed his coaches so much that he earned the starting spot for one game last season.

Now in his second year in the league, the 2006 Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year is looking to step up his game and make even more of an impact on the Redskins.

SportsNet caught up with Moore to talk about life in the NFL and what he expects for his upcoming season.

SportsNet: So Kareem, now that you are in the second year in the league, how do you feel things are going for you right now?

Kareem Moore: I think they are going good. I’ve learned the playbook and I am a little more comfortable with it. Everything should flow for me better now. I’m just ready to go out and try to make some plays and just gain the confidence of my teammates and coaches.

SN: Coming from a small school like Nicholls, do you feel like you had a bigger transition into the league?

KM: I guess I did. I think the injury set me back more than that did. I didn’t get a chance to get into any rhythm before training camp. I just used the offseason to try to get better physically and mentally.

SN: What was it like stepping out on the field for the first time last year whenever the Redskins signed you?

KM: It was like a dream come true because growing up you wanted to play in the NFL, you know. I just wanted to get out there and show everybody I was able and I got that shot. That’s all I needed, I just wanted to prove what I could do.

SN: What was it like earning your first start last season?

KM: I really didn’t even know I was starting until coach came and told me. It was a good accomplishment. More than likely I just want to get out there and make plays. I’m in dime packages, I just want to go out there and make plays.

SN: Now that you are in your second year do you raise the bar a little bit higher for yourself?

KM: You always want to get better; you never want to get worse. If you stay the same that means you got worse. I just want to go out there and compete.

SN: What was it like playing against (former Nicholls teammate) Lardarius Webb in your first preseason game?

KM: It’s kind of funny, I wanted to get out there and tackle him but I was off the field when he was doing punt returns. We were talking about it before the game. We just went out there and had fun.

SN: What’s it like seeing some of your former Nicholls teammates in the NFL with you?

KM: It’s fun seeing guys you played with and who played against you. You get to ask them how the families are doing and things like that. It’s a good feeling to go out there and try to get some bragging rights on them.

SN: What’s it like being in the same secondary as LaRon Landry?

KM: I learned a lot of things from him because he is amazing with some of the things he does. I’m trying to do some of those things in my game. I try to take things from him and it makes me a better player. He’s been very helpful.

SN: Has there been someone who has been your role model through the whole process?

KM: All the defensive backs have helped me out. Fred Smoot, Carlos Rogers, all those guys just give us certain things we can do when we are out there with them. All of them helped me out a lot; they are veterans and they know what they are talking about.

SN: What’s it like being with a team as historic as the Redskins?

KM: It’s crazy. They have die-hard fans here; we go out they’re like “Hey Kareem, we going to win this year, huh.” Me and (safety) Chris Horton always go bowling and fans always recognize us. It’s a good thing, man, Redskin nation.”

SN: How big is that rivalry with the Cowboys?

KM: It’s huge and it’s weird because growing up, the Cowboys were my team. All of my family are Cowboys fans so that’s extra motivation for me to go at it hard.

SN: What was it like playing and beating the Saints last year?

KM: It was good seeing some of the teams I used to see when I was in school.

SN: What goals have you set for yourself this season?

KM: My goals are just to make plays. Get interceptions; make the big hit, anything I can do to help the team win. I just want to go out there and make plays

SN: Do you still keep in contact with your Nicholls coaches?

KM: I talk to them every other week. They ask me certain things. I still talk to coach (Jay) Thomas and coach (Jeremy) Atwell and Coach (Steve) Ellis still contacts me. I try to stay in touch.

Former Nicholls Colonel and current Washington Redskin safety Kareem Moore is entering his second season in the NFL. The 2008 sixth round pick is expected to be a key contributor to Coach Jim Zorn’s defense this season. * Photo courtesy of WASHINGTON REDSKINS