Chris Canty, 12.04.09

Q. How much are you looking forward to this game, especially against Dallas?

A. Looking forward to the opportunity to compete against a great football team. They are very talented. They present a lot of challenges for us. We’ve had a good week of preparation. We started fast in practice. That is definitely going to be important come Sunday and we are looking forward to getting after it.

Q. Is there anything special about playing them?

A. There is something special about this game. It’s an opportunity for us to compete as a football team. It’s a division game. This means a lot for us and we have taken notice of that. We are prepared as such and we are going to give ourselves the best opportunity to be successful on Sunday.

Q. The three-headed running back monster the Cowboys have. How different is the approach in trying to stop each of them?

A. It definitely starts up front with the front seven. It comes down to us being able to address blockers and beat blockers, being physical at the point of attack. That is going to be key in this football game. This is not one of those games where you want to stick your toe in the water. You understand the tempo at which they are going to play. You have to understand that and be ready to match that intensity.

Q. What is your feeling about possible changes on the defensive line? Is Coach Coughlin looking for more out of you?

A. I have no feelings about it. I trust the coaching staff and they are going to put us in position that they deem best for this football team and for this defense. We are going to go accordingly.

Q. How much does your knowledge of that team help in preparation?

A. I think both of teams know each other very well. I don’t think it has a lot to do with me at all. These teams play each other twice a year, a couple of years back where the Giants and Cowboys played each other three times a year, including the playoff game. These football teams know each other very well. There are not going to be a lot of surprises. Like I said, it is what it is.

Q. I know it has been four weeks since you came back from the injury. Are you at a speed where you can take whatever they give you, full game?

A. Absolutely. I feel like if the coaching staff puts me out there I am going to be able to help the football team. Otherwise, I don’t think they would put me out there. I wouldn’t feel comfortable in that situation.

Q. When you guys used to play the Giants I know you weren’t going against the defense, but when you look at Osi Umenyiora, do you see something missing right now?

A. I don’t know if you guys are watching the same film I’m watching. But Osi is a fantastic player. He gets pressure on the quarterback. There are so many quarterback hits that he gets that are fractions of a second away from a sack. I can’t imagine how he is feeling; it is frustrating for me just watching it because he is right there all the time. He puts in a lot of time watching film. He is tremendous in his dedication, in his work ethic and it is just a matter of timing.

Q. Are there times when games can become very personal because of the relationship you had with a team?

A. I don’t know. I guess we will find out on Sunday, huh? I don’t know. I can’t speak to that. I haven’t played against my former team yet, so I don’t know. I am with you guys, I’ll find out on Sunday.

Q. You were pretty disappointed when you couldn’t play in that first game.

A. I was disappointed because you always want to be out there being able to help your football team. When you can’t compete as a player and then when you can’t help your football team as a player, it is frustrating.

Q. You still close with guys on that team?

A. Yeah, absolutely. I am pretty close with a couple guys down. There are guys on that football team that I am very good friends with. We talk on a regular basis, but it is really never about football.