[Bette]

The Dallas Cowboys admitted they took a big gamble when they decided to select defensive end Chris Canty in the fourth round of the 2005 draft.
He missed most of his senior season at Virginia with a serious knee injury and then suffered an eye injury that was considered so bad that some teams took him off their draft board.
The Cowboys were not so much worried about Canty coming back from the knee injury, but after talking with several eye specialists, they figured he was worth the risk.
Canty has not missed a game in his three years (43 straight) and he has started the last 29 in a row. His numbers are not staggering, but that's the nature of the defensive scheme the Cowboys play.
In 11 games this season, Canty has 32 tackles, three sacks, one tackle for loss, two quarterback pressures, two pass deflections, one fumble recovery and a blocked field goal.
Now the Cowboys face a decision on Canty, who is scheduled to be a restricted free agent when the season ends.
They will certainly have to give him one of the top tender offers out there, most likely requiring a team to give up a first-round pick to get him. They cannot put the low tender ($927,000) on him because teams would be more than willing to give up a fourth-rounder to sign him.

While it his highly unlikely he will be elsewhere in 2008, they should take 2009 out of the equation and sign him to a long-term deal. (And they should do the same with nose tackle Jay Ratliff, too, by the way.)
Canty is a core player with DeMarcus Ware, Bradie James, Terence Newman, Akin Ayodele and Anthony Henry.
Three years ago, they took a chance on Canty. It's time to take another one.

Dallas Cowboys find out Chris Canty can | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | SportsDay: Football: Cowboys

[Bette]

I agree with the writer. I think they should take the long term risk.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bette

I agree with the writer. I think they should take the long term risk.

Might as well, don't want anyone else to get him.