Last week, Damontre Moore went to the movies with Michael Strahan for a private screening of “Ouija,’’ which had not yet been released.
“Once again when you’re Mr. New York you can do those type of things.’’ Moore told The Post on Thursday. “I got the invite and I was privileged to go.’’
Now Moore wants to return the favor. The second-year defensive end has developed a friendship with Strahan and wants to return the favor to the Giants’ icon. At halftime of Monday night’s game against the Colts at MetLife Stadium, Strahan will receive his Hall of Fame ring. Prior to kickoff, fans will get to wave special Strahan-themed towels. Now Moore is looking to show he can get to Andrew Luck the way Strahan took down so many quarterbacks during his 15-year career.
After going without a sack as a rookie, Moore notched his first this summer in the preseason opener, which also happened to be the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, the day after Strahan was inducted.
“It was an honor getting my first sack, even though it didn’t count, when he was going into the Hall of Fame,’’ Moore said, “so what better way to make a signature statement and go out there and make a statement the day he gets his ring? It would be an honor and a privilege.”
It looks as if Moore will get the chance, as his playing time is about to increase.
Last week, defensive line coach Robert Nunn offered his explanation — which certainly sounded plausible — why Moore was not getting on the field very often.
Moore, a 2013 third-round draft pick, works hard, Nunn said, and he has obvious physical ability — especially as a pass-rusher — but the coaching staff was not sold on Moore’s ability to hold up against the run.
“With Damontre, I just want to hit the fast-forward button a little bit,’’ Nunn said.
Consider the button pushed. Wait no more for Moore.
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If the Colts are paying attention, they will not be surprised to see the tall, lanky Moore, wearing No. 98, on the field. Nunn last week said, “I’m going to get him more at-bats from this point on.’’ General manager Jerry Reese during his bye-week press gathering made his feelings about Moore abundantly clear, saying, “I think he needs to play a few more snaps. It seems like when he gets in the game, he makes something happen.’’
And, to tie this all up with a neat bow, coach Tom Coughlin on Thursday said, “He’s a guy that we’ve got to get, particularly at this time of year, to do some more rotation of that front to try to keep the guys as fresh as they can, particularly when you’re playing against Andrew Luck.’’
Get the feeling Moore is in for the busiest game of his career? He said he didn’t pay much attention to all the talk about him but admitted, “I can’t lie, though, when I get a few phone calls or text messages, people saying ‘Your GM said this,’ it gets me a little excited,’’ Moore said. “I got all the right people saying it so it’s only a matter of time. Every time they tell me they’re going to do something or something will happen, it’s happened.’’
Patience hasn’t come easily to Moore but he does realize he must pay his dues. After all, he’s only 22 years old. Remarkably, he’s younger than every rookie on the team other than Odell Beckham Jr.
“I got to just build up their trust,’’ said Moore, who has two sacks. “Rome wasn’t built in a day. Trust don’t come overnight.’’