Big Question

Tom Coughlin sounded extremely excited over the opening of the new season. But the biggest question that went unanswered was how free agent defensive tackle Chris Canty would figure into Sunday's opener against the Redskins.

Canty didn't appear on the initial injury report, populated by CB Kevin Dockery (hamstring), OL Adam Koets (ankle), CB Aaron Ross (hamstring), and LB Clint Sintim (groin). But his status for Sunday has to be considered at least questionable, if only because he's recovering from a bad hamstring injury and hasn't practiced since mid training camp.

"We're gonna build this up as we go, see how he is," Coughlin said. "We've got to watch this. Anyone who's done as little as he's done in preseason, we have to be very careful."

The question here is his health, not necessarily reps. Canty, a fifth-year player, never missed a game with Dallas, so he has plenty of experience. And let's face it, the position he's playing isn't exactly brain surgery. Get in there, get up that 747 wingspan, and create havoc. But the Giants have to be careful about re-injury. He's going to be a valuable component to that pass rush, so they're not going to make big use of him until the hamstring is in good enough shape. And if that means sitting out a game or three, so be it.

My guess -- and it's exactly that at this point -- is that he sits inactive for Sunday.

That'll leave Rocky Bernard, Fred Robbins, an aching Barry Cofield, and Leger Douzable in the rotation. Don't know if that will be enough to handle Clinton Portis and still put enough pressure on Jason Campbell.

Whatcha think?

EP