The Star-Ledger-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens have often been criticized this offseason for their ‘cost-cutting’ ways. But the reality is, they’ve done a heck of a job replenishing their legendary defense. One player that should make fans feel optimistic about the upcoming season, is Chris Canty. The defensive lineman joined the Ravens as a free agent this past spring, after spending the last four seasons with the New York Giants.
Canty was a big part of the Giants’ 2011 Super Bowl team, as he started all 16 games that season. But injuries ultimately derailed his career in New York. He only played in nine games last season, missing time due to knee injuries.
Now he’ll be joining forces with Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs in Baltimore, and looking to recreate the magic he had in New York under Steve Spagnuolo. Canty will be reunited with his former defensive coordinator, who is now a defensive assistant with the Ravens.
If Canty is back to full health, there’s no reason to think he won’t regain his prior form. Typically in his career he’s been good for 35-45 total tackles, and three or four sacks a season. With his massive size (6’7″, 317 lbs), Canty can be effective from anywhere on the d-line, so the Ravens plan to move him all around in 2013. So far he’s spent the most time at right DT, but fans should also expect to see him at the end position as well.
The Ravens have Canty locked up for three years, and they’re hoping that he’ll find new life with this change of scenery. At age 30, he’s well into the second half of his career, but if his knee is fully healthy, he should have no problem regaining his 2011-form.
Follow Andrew Fisher on Twitter
