We caught up with the cocky cornerback after training camp to have him do what he does best - talk about himself - in an in-depth interview that focused on everything from the art of trash talking to what went wrong during his time in Minnesota and everything in between.

You're originally from Jackson, Mississippi. What's it like there and what was your childhood like?
It's good. I'm not going to say it's a small, country town because it's the capital of Mississippi, but I was raised in the inner city in a single-parent family. Everything wasn't always easy, that's why I had to dig in, take school seriously and understand that I had a gift that could help us get out.

How early did you start playing football and how many other positions did you play when you were younger?
The funny part about it was that my mom found out she was pregnant playing pick-up football games with my uncle and them in the yard, so I guess I've been playing ever since then. She found out she was pregnant when my uncle tackled her.

In high school I was cornerback, wide receiver, and quarterback - you know, anywhere they could get the ball in my hands.

Are you naturally athletic, or did you have to work harder to get to the highest level of competition? What other sports, if any, are you good at?
I'm a natural athlete, but I'm also a worker. You put two and two together and you got a great athlete. Actually a lot of people thought I was going to play basketball. I was real good at basketball. I got a lot of game - I can take it to the rack, I can shoot the jumper and I play a lot of good defense, evidently. I'm one of those guys, I'm versatile like that. Just put me somewhere. I probably could play soccer if I ever wanted to play it, but I never tried. Could be a shortstop; I don't know, never tried.

As we all know, you went to Mississippi State. What was your overall college experience like and what did you get out of your time there?
I loved it, man. After coming to the league, it's nothing like being the man on campus. When you're the man on campus you get everything because you're the king. It was a great time for me playing SEC ball, and it was one of the best times for Mississippi State record-wise.

You were drafted in the second round, 45th overall, by the Washington Redskins. Talk to us about what it felt like to finally get drafted to play in the NFL. Were you happy to be drafted or were you disappointed you weren't a first-round pick?
I was mad because I was supposed to be a high first-round pick, but I got in trouble. You know, you live and you learn. I got in trouble the week before the draft and it caused me to drop over 30 picks. I was just happy someone took a chance on me and believed in me.

Where should you have been drafted?
Very, very high. If you recall I was ranked the second highest defensive player on the board, so just go by that and tell me where I was supposed to be picked.

Photo by Brian Murphy

How much of a transition is it to go from the college game to the pros? And what does it take to be a top-tier cornerback in the NFL?
It's a big jump. I'm sorry, but for a corner - especially when you're the number one corner in the nation - you're not used to getting beat. You probably ain't got beat your entire career, except maybe when you were younger. But you come into the league, it's unavoidable. Point blank.

Like the man told me "you're going to get beat, so what you do next is the problem." What makes a corner in the NFL good is that I just don't get beat as much as you do. Just realize that and keep that mentality. It can make or break some corners.

You joined the Washington Redskins in 2001 and immediately made an impact - leading the team in interceptions for three consecutive seasons. A wise man once said, "Two-thirds of the world is covered by water. The other third is covered by Fred Smoot." How historically accurate is that statement?
That is an accurate statement. I made that statement during my junior year in college. I really felt like the world was covered with Fred Smoot. You could find me everywhere - if it wasn't water, it was me. I still feel that way now; I'm back to that same guy.

You're such a talented trash talker that they had to create a whole new category for you, called "Smoot Smack." Is anything off limits on gameday when you're on the field and trying to get in someone's head?
There's nothing off limits. Ain't nothing off limits when they're talking to me, so there's nothing off limits. Now, I'm not going to the grandmamas, none of all that, but anything else is open field. You know, I'm going to talk about whatever I can. If I can use it against you and get your mind on me instead of what you supposed to be doing, I'll try it.

You wouldn't do grandma jokes?
I don't really do grandmama jokes.

What about moms?
I'll go to mama, but I'm not gonna do grandmama. I got a little respect. (Laughs).

Excluding yourself, who in your humble opinion are the best trash talkers in the NFL?
I think my class had a lot of trash talkers. Look at Chad Johnson of 2001. You got Steve Smith of 2001. You got Joey Porter, who I think came out two years before me, but Joey's gonna talk it and Joey's gonna walk it. Rodney Harrison's always been one of those guys who is gonna mouth off. There's a lot of guys out there that's gonna give it to you.

We've got to ask, who is "Silky Johnson" and what the heck is the Fred "Silky Johnson" Smoot Award?
Silky Johnson was my alter ego when I was here the first time. He's a smooth type playa' that don't even play football. He's just a regular guy; my regular Washingtonian guy. It's something me and Shawn Springs used to play with.

Photo by Brian Murphy

You ended up signing a six-year, $34 million contract with the Vikings in 2005. While you were clearly a fan favorite during your first four years in Washington D.C., things didn't work out the same way in Minnesota. What went wrong during your two years there?
Different people. Different people, different situation. I didn't like it from the go. It wasn't my type of people. It wasn't my type of flavor. It sure wasn't my type of defensive scheme. It just didn't work. I think, if you look at trades and the free agent market, less than probably 30 percent of those free agents actually fit in and come represent.

Look at Randy Moss. You're not going to tell me that Randy can go from being one of the most dominating receivers in the NFL, and then goes to Oakland and becomes a non-factor. Your surroundings have a lot to do with how you play and you being happy. Anybody can play better when they're happy. When you've got a lot of stuff on your mind it can kill your performance, no doubt.