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By Nolan Nawrocki
Sept. 23, 2006
First in a series
DRE Chris Canty
Dallas Cowboys
Height: 6-7; Weight: 300; Speed: 4.9 (est.)
Notes: Did not begin playing football until junior year in high school. Entered Virginia program at 215 pounds and gained 75 pounds in five years. Led all Atlantic Coast Conference defensive linemen in tackles as a sophomore and junior before senior season was cut short after he blew out his left knee, tearing three ligaments. Slid to the fourth round in the 2005 NFL draft in part because of character questions compounded with injury concerns after suffering a detached retina in his left eye in January ’05 when he was hit in the face by a beer bottle in a nightclub in Phoenix one night while preparing for the draft. Replaced Greg Ellis at DRE spot in the starting lineup late in the year as a rookie and finished leading all Dallas defensive linemen with 43 tackles. Also had five tackles for loss and 2 1/2 sacks.
Positives: Has a strong, thick frame with long arms and giant wingspan to play off blocks. Generally plays with nice leverage and pad level to anchor vs. the run. Strong at the point of attack and will dig a hole in the ground and hold the double-team. Has excellent height to see plays unfolding and is fairly instinctive reacting to what he sees. Shows nice lateral quickness to work down the line and beat reach blocks. Solid tackler who will snap through his hips and strike ballcarriers. Has the flexibility to move inside in passing situations.
Negatives: Does not have great edge speed. Relies too much on his bull-rush move and does not show many counter moves to come free. Still relatively raw in football years and is learning how to use his hands to beat blockers. Needs to continue improving his upper-body strength to become a dominant player. Motor will run cold at times and pad level will rise when he tires, allowing blockers to get underneath him.
Summary: A mammoth five-technique who moves inside in nickel situations and can play anywhere on the line. Ideally suited for 3-4 front, Canty helped allow the Cowboys to make the transition a year ago and exceeded expectations. Has Pro Bowl potential if he can stay healthy and improve his upper-body strength.
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Sept. 23, 2006
First in a series
Chris Canty
DRE Chris Canty
Dallas Cowboys
Height: 6-7; Weight: 300; Speed: 4.9 (est.)
Notes: Did not begin playing football until junior year in high school. Entered Virginia program at 215 pounds and gained 75 pounds in five years. Led all Atlantic Coast Conference defensive linemen in tackles as a sophomore and junior before senior season was cut short after he blew out his left knee, tearing three ligaments. Slid to the fourth round in the 2005 NFL draft in part because of character questions compounded with injury concerns after suffering a detached retina in his left eye in January ’05 when he was hit in the face by a beer bottle in a nightclub in Phoenix one night while preparing for the draft. Replaced Greg Ellis at DRE spot in the starting lineup late in the year as a rookie and finished leading all Dallas defensive linemen with 43 tackles. Also had five tackles for loss and 2 1/2 sacks.
Positives: Has a strong, thick frame with long arms and giant wingspan to play off blocks. Generally plays with nice leverage and pad level to anchor vs. the run. Strong at the point of attack and will dig a hole in the ground and hold the double-team. Has excellent height to see plays unfolding and is fairly instinctive reacting to what he sees. Shows nice lateral quickness to work down the line and beat reach blocks. Solid tackler who will snap through his hips and strike ballcarriers. Has the flexibility to move inside in passing situations.
Negatives: Does not have great edge speed. Relies too much on his bull-rush move and does not show many counter moves to come free. Still relatively raw in football years and is learning how to use his hands to beat blockers. Needs to continue improving his upper-body strength to become a dominant player. Motor will run cold at times and pad level will rise when he tires, allowing blockers to get underneath him.
Summary: A mammoth five-technique who moves inside in nickel situations and can play anywhere on the line. Ideally suited for 3-4 front, Canty helped allow the Cowboys to make the transition a year ago and exceeded expectations. Has Pro Bowl potential if he can stay healthy and improve his upper-body strength.
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