NFL

Michael Strahan finding time to mold Damontre Moore in his image

Some look at Michael Strahan and say, “No way.’’

Damontre Moore looks at Strahan and says, “Why not?’’

Moore will travel with the Giants this weekend to Canton, Ohio, where the entire organization will bask in the glow of Strahan’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In many ways, Strahan is the pinnacle of what can be achieved, a player with immense credentials whose last game was a Super Bowl victory, after which he rushed into TV stardom that quickly morphed from sports to entertainment to global fame.

“I’m excited for him, but it also gives me a lot of hope. It lets you know there’s a little more incentive at the end of the rope that it’s actually doable and that goal is achievable,’’ Moore told The Post.

Why not strive for it all?

Moore, like Strahan, is a pass-rushing defensive end, and Moore, like Strahan, envisions himself as an engaging personality off the field who would love to mimic Strahan’s multimedia success. Unlike Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, players mentored by Strahan as teammates, Moore arrived just last year, but that doesn’t mean Strahan’s reach hasn’t extended to him.

Strahan’s TV empire consists of “Fox NFL Sunday,” “Live! with Kelly and Michael” and regular appearances on “Good Morning America.” He does not have time for everyone, but he’s forged a relationship with Moore, and the Giants couldn’t be happier.

“He sets a great example, let’s face it,’’ Tom Coughlin said.

Perhaps Strahan — who played his college ball at Texas Southern — sees some of himself in Moore, who had 26¹/₂ sacks at Texas A&M. Strahan was a second-round pick; Moore was taken in the third round. Strahan had one sack for the Giants as a rookie in 1993; 20 years later, Moore had none as a rookie. Strahan reached out to Moore in the offseason and the two “hung out a lot,’’ says Moore with no small amount of pride.

“I would try to see him at least once a week, I would text him, whenever his schedule wasn’t busy I would go to his show or we’ll meet up or have dinner or he’d have a movie screening and invite me,’’ Moore said.

This is heady stuff for Moore, who made an impact on special teams in his first season but couldn’t find his way onto the field on defense and looked and acted very much like the 20-year old kid he was. The Giants are intrigued by his potential, but Moore’s professionalism needed a kick-start, something Strahan was happy to provide.

Moore gets a line on receiver Jerrel Jernigan during a practice session late last season.Anthony J. Causi/NY Post

“Talking to him, just trying to pick his brain, trying to make myself better, he helped me make myself better as a football player and as a man, showing me stuff he learned from his mistakes,’’ Moore said.

The best advice he received, Moore said, was Strahan’s revelation that his career really took off when he started serious film study of his opponent to determine areas to exploit.

Moore figured in year No. 1 he’d break into the lineup at some point and have some fun on defense. “I did,’’ he admitted, “but I was in for a rude awakening.’’

Looking back, he sees the reasons for his failure to make an impact as a combination of self and situation.

“Maturity,’’ Moore said, “and learning behind some of the greatest. I mean playing behind [Jason Pierre-Paul], Kiwi [Mathias Kiwanuka], Tuck, all those guys played under somebody, Tuck played under Strahan and Osi. One of the things you got to bide your time and if tradition keeps going like it usually goes with the Giants, you sit out your first year or don’t play as much and then you learn behind somebody great and then eventually you get to move up in the rankings.’’

Moore blocks a punt by Steelers punter Drew Butler in August.AP

Indeed, Umenyiora managed to get only one sack as a rookie in 2003 — the same for Tuck as a rookie in 2005. Pierre-Paul had 4¹/₂ sacks in his 2010 rookie year. Moore is in good company as far as a young defensive end needing a season to find his NFL footing. With Tuck now with the Raiders, Moore — nearly 260 pounds after arriving as a skinny 245-pound rookie — is no longer a luxury, as there’s a role awaiting him behind starters Kiwanuka and Pierre-Paul.

“I feel like I can give a lot, a youthful guy, an explosive pass rusher and I think I’ll surprise people how well I can hold up against the run,’’ Moore said. “Honestly you’re going to get the best Damontre Moore.’’

With some help from his new buddy, Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.

“Having that edge of talking to him and picking his brain,’’ Moore said, “it puts me more closer to that goal than somebody else who doesn’t know him at all. I can get all that experience and knowledge from him knowing at one point in time he was in my same shoes.’’