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New York Giants: Impact of Damontre Moore’s release

By Ryan Disdier

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According to numerous outlets, including ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the New York Giants cut third-year defensive end Damontre Moore.

Damontre Moore has been released by the New York Giants after a season filled with bone-headed mistakes and costly penalties.

Graziano also noted the reason for Moore‘s release is because of a yet-to-be disclosed violation of team rules.

Moore’s three sacks were one shy of being tied for the team high. Moore, whose stock dropped prior to the 2013 NFL Draft, failed to mature during his time with the Giants, and that’s why it’s not entirely too shocking to see him go. Cutting Moore isn’t talented-related, it’s discipline-related, as Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News tweeted.

Moore’s name was being tossed around as the trade deadline approached, though no trade was made. Moore’s biggest play of the season came against Philadelphia, when a moronic roughing-the-passer penalty helped keep a Philly drive alive. Although it’s obviously only one play, the penalty caused a fat shift in momentum, and effectively prevented the Giants from coming back.

The move makes sense, as Tom Coughlin, who could very well be playing for his job, is signifying he has no time for players who aren’t focused. Moore has been a complete liability at times this year, and he’s already garnered himself a reputation as a dirty player, which helps draw “reputation” flags. In 2015, Moore accumulated five penalties, three of which were roughing-the-passer.

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It wasn’t just the penalties this year, either. If you recall, last year against Tennessee, a Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie pick-six got negated thanks to Moore unnecessarily laying out Zach Mettenberger. Moore’s low football IQ has hindered the team on more than one occasion. He just lacks maturity, and that could be seen when he would dance after he made a stop, regardless of the situation.

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So how much impact will Moore’s absence have on the Giants? Well, the obvious caveat from cutting Moore is the Giants are now down a pass rusher. And on a defense that has struggled to consistently get after the quarterback, one has to wonder whether the move will hurt the team down the road.

Moore is not a player who can command two linemen on a consistent basis. He’s a strict edge-rushing end with speed and a good motor. He was the team’s third-best pass rusher, and he was usually on the field during obvious passing downs. Moore was a great athlete, but he couldn’t figure out the mental aspect of the professional game.

I suppose I’m playing devil’s advocate here, but if you’re a team that struggles to pressure the quarterback, isn’t cutting a relatively good, situational pass rusher detrimental? It’s a bit perplexing, as the Giants are still in a position to win the division and make the playoffs. So getting rid of a pass-rushing asset is a somewhat-questionable move.

However, it’s entirely possible the team simply feels it can win without Moore, and it can live without his senseless penalties.

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Jason Pierre-Paul has turned it on as of late, and I’m sure that helped the Giants in deciding what to do with Moore. Rookie Owamagbe Odighizuwa, who is on short-term IR, is also set to return for week 17, so that may have contributed to the decision to cut Moore, too.

Moore’s career with the Giants is an unfortunate one, as the team had high hopes. However, cutting Moore further highlights how bad Jerry Reese’s drafts have been. According to Pro Football Reference.com, from Moore’s 2013 class, only Justin Pugh, Johnathan Hankins, Ryan Nassib and Cooper Taylor remain on the Giants.

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