The Green Bay Packers brought in free agent defensive end Chris Canty on Thursday, showed him around and then sent him on his merry way.
Apparently, the Packers thought Canty would be so wowed by their stadium, operation, staff, etc. that he’d offer to play for them for free because they didn’t bother to discuss anything related to contract parameters. Either that, or he’s completely washed up and undeserving of a spot on an NFL roster.
Canty concluded his visit with the Packers Thursday, but his agent, Brad Blank, said there were no negotiations and that he probably wouldn’t talk with team officials until tomorrow to see what they were thinking.
Canty, who was released by the New York Giants in a salary cap move, is seen by some as a perfect fit for Dom Capers‘ defense. Even though he’s 30, he had three productive seasons for the Giants, although the last one was limited by injuries.
More importantly, Canty is a prototype 3-4 defensive end. He’s big (6-7, 317), has long arms and can occupy multiple blockers, much like B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett. He’d probably step right into a starting role and if he is as advertised, would allow the Packers ho-hum group of inside linebackers to get to the ball more effectively.
Of course, if A.J. Hawk is that linebacker, he’ll just get trucked by the fullback sooner.
Although Canty wouldn’t be a big-time signing, he would help bolster one of the team’s weakest areas. The Packers were very interested in him when he was a free agent prior to the 2009 season. And in true Ted Thompson form, the Packers hemmed and hawed while Canty went to visit the Giants and lost out on his services.
This time around, the Titans, Chiefs and Jaguars are also interested in the big man. He’s already visited the first two of those teams and reportedly received a contract offer from Tennessee.
So you see where this is going, right?
The Packers are going to hem and haw about Canty and one of these other teams is going to sign him.
That is, unless Canty actually wants to play for a contender, because these other teams surely aren’t going anywhere. Then maybe he’ll stand around with his finger up his ass long enough for Big Ted to whip out the checkbook.
Packers Bring In Chris Canty, Predictably Do Nothing
Right, because Ted Thompson likes to think about these things before pulling the trigger. What a dick.
In 2009, TT wisely passed while the Giants idiotically paid $7 million a year for a back up defensive tackle.
TT will wisely do the same if the Titans or anyone else offer $4 million or more for an older, oft-injured back up defensive tackle.
Again, Canty is a specialist against the pass, who could take the place of an injured Worthy next season in the pass rush package. He is NOT a run stopper.
Bill Polian, former Colts GM, stated in an interview that Free Agent signings are about a 50/50 shot on working with their new team, maybe slightly better than the 50% chance given to rookies from a draft class. So, a lot needs to be weighed before they can rush into a decision and sign him. I’m sure they have a number they’d like to offer him but I’m also sure with a couple of rings in his hands Mr. Canty simply wants the best guaranteed contract he can find in the marketplace. I don’t expect him to sign w/ the Packers as a result. I don’t think Ted is keen on the idea of guaranteed money going to a 50/50 shot. Besides, there are some intriguing prospects in the draft with long arms and excellent height/ weight to consider.
Sign Cullen Jenkins
If the Packers weren’t at least interested in signing Canty they wouldn’t have brought him in for the dog and pony show. Why the stalling on the contract? Because it’s a proveledge to play for the packers and you’ll wait until Ted Thomson is good and ready to make his decision. After all, CJ Wilson, Mike Neal and Raji are such studs at DE.
privilege/ (sorry.)
I’m starting to think that signing Charles Woodson back in 2006 was pure luck. The buccaneers were more interested than the packers except they wanted him to play safety which offended woodson. The packers were interested in woodson and still saw him as a corner. So basically, Thompson waits around to let other teams bite first so hes not the highest bidder. At the time, the entire NFL thought Woodson was damaged goods.
He had already played for 8 seasons. The packers gave him a generous contract at the time, but they were also rebuilding and had tons of cap space. I think if Woodson didn’t work out he could have been released with minimal hassle. Thompson struck gold for sure when he signed him. But I think he got incredibly lucky tampa bay offended woodson. The packers never really pursued him otherwise.