Calvin Watkins: Energized Canty generating a buzz
SAN ANTONIO – It started the other day when defensive end Chris Canty tackled running back Julius Jones and the two started jawing at each other. There was another day when Canty knocked a running back down and raised his arms to pump up the crowd at training camp.
On Monday, Canty charged in to get a sack on quarterback Brad Johnson. Canty pumped his arm and did a high-flying back bump with DeMarcus Ware.
"Canty is just made for TV right now," linebacker Bradie James said. "He's doing well, but he's doing what he's always done."
Not really.
Canty enters his third NFL season with much to prove.
His stock dropped when he came out of Virginia because of concerns of an injury to his right eye suffered when someone threw a bottle at him in a nightclub.
But the Cowboys took a chance and drafted him in the fourth round because he performed in a 3-4 scheme in college.
In his first pro season, Canty started only two games. But last year he started 16 games, though at times he didn't perform to former coach Bill Parcells' standards.
Parcells threatened to bench Canty but didn't.
Canty finished with one sack and no tackles for loss. He did tie for the team lead in quarterback pressures with seven.
The Cowboys' defensive scheme called for the 6-7, 299-pounder to knock back opposing tackles and battle tight ends and running backs.
He didn't do much of it, primarily because of weight. He was too heavy in his chest and arms, and he couldn't get enough push on opposing tackles and tight ends to get to the quarterback.
Now, the new scheme calls for Canty to take on opponents one-on-one, and so far he's doing that well in training camp, according to coach Wade Phillips.
It's a scheme many Cowboys players are excited about.
"It puts pressure on them where they have to put up or shut up," defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers said. "Before, the players could say it was the system. Now we have the system, so what's the excuse now. That's one of the things Wade says: 'Ain't no time for excuses; it's time to play.' "
Canty wants to be faster, and though he's still 299, he's redistributed the weight so he can get a better burst.
He feels a sense of urgency. He sees where there is pressure on Marcus Spears, the other defensive end who was a first-round pick in 2005, to produce. Spears finished with one sack and had three quarterback pressures in 2006.
Jay Ratliff and Jason Hatcher are improving players who receive playing time in the nickel defense and could move into the first team at end.
Maybe that's why Canty is flying around knocking people down and yelling.
"He should be," Rodgers said. "He needs to play with a chip on his shoulder."
Canty said he's not. But it's hard not to believe him.
"I challenge myself out here in practice," he said. "And I challenge my teammates when we compete against each other that will make us a better team. You know, I'm guilty like everybody else is. Sometimes it's hard to push yourself, but when you feel good you can go hard."
On Monday, Canty charged in to get a sack on quarterback Brad Johnson. Canty pumped his arm and did a high-flying back bump with DeMarcus Ware.
"Canty is just made for TV right now," linebacker Bradie James said. "He's doing well, but he's doing what he's always done."
Not really.
Canty enters his third NFL season with much to prove.
His stock dropped when he came out of Virginia because of concerns of an injury to his right eye suffered when someone threw a bottle at him in a nightclub.
But the Cowboys took a chance and drafted him in the fourth round because he performed in a 3-4 scheme in college.
In his first pro season, Canty started only two games. But last year he started 16 games, though at times he didn't perform to former coach Bill Parcells' standards.
Parcells threatened to bench Canty but didn't.
Canty finished with one sack and no tackles for loss. He did tie for the team lead in quarterback pressures with seven.
The Cowboys' defensive scheme called for the 6-7, 299-pounder to knock back opposing tackles and battle tight ends and running backs.
He didn't do much of it, primarily because of weight. He was too heavy in his chest and arms, and he couldn't get enough push on opposing tackles and tight ends to get to the quarterback.
Now, the new scheme calls for Canty to take on opponents one-on-one, and so far he's doing that well in training camp, according to coach Wade Phillips.
It's a scheme many Cowboys players are excited about.
"It puts pressure on them where they have to put up or shut up," defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers said. "Before, the players could say it was the system. Now we have the system, so what's the excuse now. That's one of the things Wade says: 'Ain't no time for excuses; it's time to play.' "
Canty wants to be faster, and though he's still 299, he's redistributed the weight so he can get a better burst.
He feels a sense of urgency. He sees where there is pressure on Marcus Spears, the other defensive end who was a first-round pick in 2005, to produce. Spears finished with one sack and had three quarterback pressures in 2006.
Jay Ratliff and Jason Hatcher are improving players who receive playing time in the nickel defense and could move into the first team at end.
Maybe that's why Canty is flying around knocking people down and yelling.
"He should be," Rodgers said. "He needs to play with a chip on his shoulder."
Canty said he's not. But it's hard not to believe him.
"I challenge myself out here in practice," he said. "And I challenge my teammates when we compete against each other that will make us a better team. You know, I'm guilty like everybody else is. Sometimes it's hard to push yourself, but when you feel good you can go hard."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:21 PM
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