Jerry Reese and the Giants are in the zone.
New York added its third free agent in as many days since the start of the 2009 free agency sweeps, this one being former Dallas DE Chris Canty, a New York native.
"I'm excited about getting the opportunity to come here and be a part of this team and this organization," he said in a statement released by the team. "I'm so happy. The Giants have a great winning tradition, and I am excited to come here and have a chance to win a championship."
Canty was drafted in the fourth round of the 2005 draft was a projected first rounder whose stock likely fell due to concerns about his knee. However, in his rookie season, he led all Dallas defensive linemen with 43 tackles.
"Chris is an athletic, big man who can play anywhere in our front," said Reese in a statement released by the team. "He gives us a lot of flexibility in that respect. Our defensive line did a very good job last year, but without Osi (Umenyiora) and (Michael Strahan), we seemed to get worn down late in the season, and we weren't able to generate the kind of pass rush that we’re accustomed to. Hopefully with the addition of Rocky and Chris, and with Osi coming back, that won't happen again."
Added Head Coach Tom Coughlin, "This is an outstanding 'get' for the New York Giants. Chris is a very highly touted player. He is an outstanding football player. I always like the idea of getting a player who has competed within the division."
Although it’s not official yet, my guess is Canty will get 99 with the Giants. That number was previously worn by DE Reynaldo Wynn, who obviously is not coming back.
If you’d like to learn more about the Giants’ newest member, you can pop on over to his official web site, (which I am sure will undergo a renovation now that he no longer will wear that blue star on his helmet.
THE CANTY SIGNING: WHAT IT COULD MEAN
Ok, it’s time to don my detective hat here and try to piece together the clues surrounding what the Giants master plan is.
First you have the obvious: the pass rush, which last year fell by the wayside when injuries took their toll on the defensive line. Recall that through the first eight games, the Giants defense racked up 30 sacks; however when the injuries started depleting their depth, they finished the final eight games of the season with just 13 sacks. Certainly the addition of Canty, who has ten career sacks, and Bernard, who has 29 career stats, will help the Giants in that regard.
Canty, by the way, is probably going to be one of those “swing” guys who will play inside and at end, depending on the situation.
Next I want to address a question I’ve been asked by numerous readers (and which I’m sure I’ll get in Letters to the Editor). Do I think that the addition of Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty mean that a trade is in the works involving a Giants defensive lineman and perhaps a draft pick for a wide out (possibly Braylon Edwards of Cleveland)?
While I won’t dismiss the idea as preposterous – I have heard whispers that the Giants might seek to make a trade for a wide receiver IF Plaxico Burress’ scheduled March 31 court date doesn't yield desirable results, I think it’s premature to say that the addition of the two defensive linemen mean a trade is in the works.
Why? Again, the injury factor. Remember, both starting DTs Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield are coming off of recent off-season knee surgeries, with Cofield’s rumored to have been a little more complex. While the Giants are optimistic that both will be okay, the fact of the matter is that going into free agency, the Giants were VERY thin at this position and they needed to boost the depth.
As we wrote in our free agency preview issue, we were of the opinion that the Giants might look sooner than later to find a replacement for the soon to be 32-year old Robbins, who is in the last year of his contract. Robbins, remember, can play end in a pinch, so I can’t help but wonder if Canty, who will be 27 in November, is that replacement.
Another factor to consider is DE Osi Umenyiora, who is also coming off a serious knee injury. While Umenyiora is expected to be ready for the season, in an interview appearing on the Giants official website on February 24, Umenyiora was quoted as saying, “They (the team’s medical staff) are saying it is at about 80 percent. It is kind of hard to get that extra 20. I have been 80 percent for the last two – three months now.”
So my answer to whether the Giants might package up a defensive lineman and an extra draft pick in exchange for a receiver, is that while I wouldn’t rule it out, it depends on 1) how well Robbins, Cofield and Umenyiora continue to progress over the next few weeks and 2) what happens with Burress.
Another question I’ve received is if I think the Giants will release Robbins. Right now I would say no. People seem to forget that prior to suffering all of his injuries, Robbins was playing at the top of his game. I don’t think the Giants are hurting for salary cap space (I’ll be re-calculating that figure by the way once I get the breakdown on the Bernard and Canty contracts), and I have a feeling they’re going to address their other needs (i.e., safety) via the draft. So it’s not like they would need the $425K cap savings they’d get if they terminated Robbins’ contract ($2M base less the $1.575M remaining prorated singing bonus).
The only way I see Robbins not being a part of the team in 2009 is if he ends up on PUP like David Tyree did last year. Again I really doubt that will be the case.
ROUNDING OUT THE REST OF THE NEWS
RB Derrick Ward continues to search for his big pay day. If his reported recent proposal to the Giants, which, for those who missed it, was said to be $3M per season, is any indication of what he’s looking for, he might be looking a little while longer.
Ward has drawn interested from Denver, whose deal with RB J.J. Arrington hit a snag. Ward is looking to be a starter for a NFL team and is said to be in search of a deal similar to what Atlanta gave to Michael Turner last year (six years, $34.5M). If Ward doesn’t reach an agreement with Denver, his next reported stop is Tampa.
According to a report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the agent for safety James Butler denied a report claiming the unrestricted free agent was planning to visit Cleveland. Butler apparently has returned home to Atlanta after failing to reach an agreement with the Rams, where he’d be reunited with his former defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo. The smart money says that if the Giants don’t step up to the plate with a competitive offer – and it doesn’t look as though they will – Butler will ultimately land with St. Louis.
Be sure to check in with me tomorrow as I am preparing a special analysis on how the Giants roster is shaping up you might find interesting.
