New York Giants to use Damontre Moore as hybrid pass rusher

New York Giants rookie pass rusher Damontre Moore had an extremely successful college career with the Texas A&M Aggies as the famed “joker” linebacker in the Aggies defense. Moore was a consensus All-American last season with 57 solo tackles, an incredible 21 tackles for loss, and he was also third in the SEC with 12 sacks. Although he was able to excel in college football’s toughest conference, Damontre Moore came into the draft with huge concerns over him racking up easy sacks, not having enough speed, and having poor physical tools.

May 10, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive end Damontre Moore (79) during the rookie minicamp at the Giants Timex Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

As a result, the Giants were able to pluck Moore in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and he was an absolute steal for the Giants there. The Giants now have plans to use Moore in a hybrid role similar to the one he was utilized in at Texas A&M, per Dave Hutchinson of NJ.com.

Using a hybrid defensive end and outside linebacker as a key pass rusher in the New York Giants defense is nothing new, because Mathias Kiwanuka has had 30 sacks in the past seven seasons, including eight in his fantastic 2008 campaign. Hutchinson writes that “it  seems” like the Giants have similar plans for Moore going forward, and executive Marc Ross hinted at this as well.

Moore himself stated that he was used standing up at the beginning of his college career but was used with his “hand down” most often last season. He told NJ.com, “Overall, I did more rushing standing up than with my hand on the ground throughout my college career. But I think with me having done both it gives me a good, diverse background to make that transition (to the NFL).”

The versatility that Moore brings to the table for the Giants is certainly a big plus for this team, but it will be telling how he shoves off those speed and strength concerns that popped up during the pre-draft process after an awful Combine showing. Moore had the college production, though, and it will be interesting to see how the Giants can get the most out of this guy. How does he fit in as a hybrid in this league? I think the Giants are doing things correctly right now, and I do want to see Moore used as a hybrid player since he put up some good numbers standing up or with his hand down at Texas A&M.

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