The New York Giants need Damontre Moore to be a fast learner.
Regardless who the Giants draft in May of 2014, second year defensive end Damontre Moore is going to be leaned on heavily and for more than just consistent play. While the Giants and their top brass will never publicly admit that sacks will be scarce this season, it’s very easy to see Jerry Reese is rolling the dice with Moore.
The 6’5 250 pound defensive end was drafted by the Giants in the 3rd round out of Texas A&M. The star player had been slotted to be selected in the 1st round but his poor combine stats resulted in his huge slide down the board.
In 2013 as a rookie, Moore was a pleasant surprise on special teams blocking three punts; however, as a defensive end Moore saw only small spurts of playing time. No. 98 can rush the passer standing up or from a three-point stance but had problems getting off blocks.
The knock on Moore after the combine was his lack of strength endurance and it showed on Sunday when he did see the field. It is very clear the talent is there as Moore has a great motor and instinct for the ball. His biggest challenge in 2014 is to get stronger and “use his hands” more frequently.
In his first NFL season Moore had not developed a quick stab or punch that could be followed by a swim move and with his lack of strength endurance to bang with these players he constantly let tight ends and tackles into his body, rendering him ineffective.
Now with Justin Tuck fleeing for the West Coast after a snub by Jerry Reese, Damontre Moore is going to be needed more than ever. The second year pro will be relied upon to develop must faster than his predecessors.
There is a long line of great Pro Bowl defensive ends that were afforded the time to develop over a few years: Strahan, Umenyiora, Kiwanuka and Tuck needed a few season to mature, only Jason Pierre Paul took the world by storm in his second season.
Now only time will tell if JPP is healthy and back to form, which brings us back to the original discussion. The New York Giants need Damontre Moore to be a quick learner. The defensive will be relying heavily on his athletic ability and his off-season conditioning to deliver pressure from the edge and great run stuffing support.
Purely because of the situation Moore is being thrust into, it could be a break out season for the player. The free agent signing of Robert Ayers is not the answer, for his 12 sacks in four years is not scaring anybody, especially the NFC East.
Craig J. Santucci | Managing Editor
@CraigSantucci