New Aquisition Chris Canty Will Be Vital To a Giant Championship Run

There has been a lot of discussion in regards to newly acquired defensive linemen Chris Canty and his role on The 2009 New York Giants. Let’s get one thing straight first, Canty is one of the better and most underrated free agent signings this decade. He is six feet seven inches (and change) and will have a major impact on a deep, star studded defensive line for The Giants.

Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck both merit double teams, and the rest of the league will soon realize how big of an effect that has on newly acquired Chris Canty.

For those that don’t know, Canty played the stat deflating position of 3-4 defensive end for Dallas for the first several years of his career. So while his name scarcely appeared on the stat sheet, Canty was a key cog for Dallas. He paved the way for DeMarcus Ware to have a 20 sack season, as Canty kept double teams off of Ware on his way to the opposing passer. Make no mistake about it, the force that is Chris Canty helped Ware in a major way and he will be a big help to Tuck and Umenyiora.

But where will he fit into The Giants 4-3 scheme? He will be the starting defensive tackle. After playing over the guard and center in Dallas, he will do a fine job in New York doing the same at the defensive tackle position.

Here are Canty’s contract numbers; on March first he signed a six-year, $42 million contract. The deal contains $16 million guaranteed, including an $8.5 million signing bonus, Canty's first-year base salary, and $3.75 million of his year-two salary. $250,000 workout bonuses are available in years two through six. 2009: $3.75 million (+ $1.25 million roster bonus), 2010: $4.5 million, 2011: $5.25 million, 2012: $6 million, 2013: $6.25 million, 2014: $6.5 million.

That makes Canty The Giant’s highest paid defensive linemen. He will not simply be rotating; he will be the starting defensive tackle.