Jerry Reese: Damontre Moore 'a kid with a lot to learn'

Damontre Moore said it was a "breathtaking moment" when he received word Friday night that the New York Giants had selected him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, making him the 81st overall player chosen.

Moore, a defensive end from Texas A&M, understands the Giants' history at the position he plays.

"I’m looking forward to just coming in and learning from the best in the game," Moore said. "There are so many talented people there. I just want to come in closed-mouth and open-minded and let everything soak in because they have such a successful history and so many talented people there."

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Moore was at one time looked at as a potential top 10 first-round pick, but his stock dropped throughout the process as he did not test well at the scouting combine and questions were raised about his work habits.

"A very, very good effort player on Saturday," is how Giants coach Tom Coughlin described Moore. "He has some issues, I think, during the week, which we will have to address in terms of preparation and practice mentality, that type of thing. But he is young, just 20 years old."

Moore said "there could be many a reason" why he fell into Round 3, but that "it doesn’t really make a difference because at the end of the day, I still get to play the game I love."

Moore's youth "makes him a kid that has a lot to learn," said general manager Jerry Reese.

"He's got a tremendous upside. He plays three years, he's a junior, so he can come in here with (defensive line coach) Robert Nunn, who does a tremendous job with our defensive line. He'll learn a lot right way," Reese said. "He's one of those kids that can play on your special teams. He's got a pretty unique skill set.

"The thing I like, he plays hard. Guys that play hard, you can coach them to do the rest because this guy plays hard. He plays with a nasty streak and we think he's got a tremendous upside."