www.nydaliynews.com – For a guy still facing statutory rape charges, football great Lawrence Taylor sure seemed in a good mood Thursday.

The 51-year-old hall-of-famer, smartly dressed in black pants and a polo shirt, was laughing as he entered Rockland County Court, and bear-hugged his buddy Dino Kyriacou.

L.T. was reportedly hanging out with Kyriacou the May night that the ex-linebacker is alleged to have bedded a 16-year-old runaway.

“My client asked me to profusely apologize to the court for not having a jacket and tie,” his lawyer Arthur Aidala told the judge at the start of the brief procedural hearing.

“He’s suitably attired,” Justice William Kelly replied. “Apology unnecessary.”

Taylor said nothing, waving at one point to the courtroom artist. His next court date is Dec. 7.

Aidala said outside the courthouse that while a plea deal remains a possibility, he would reject copping to the top charge of third-degree rape partly because it means a mandatory 10-year probation, a condition he called “ridiculous” in this case.

“Mr. Taylor is indicating quite strongly that he’s seriously considering his right for trial,” Aidala said.