Canty, a 5-foot-91/2, 195-pound All-American described by the team as "a sensational athlete with superb instincts and blazing speed," was chosen five hours deep into the annual ritual, while a number of defensive linemen that would have likely appealed to Parcells remained on the board.
One of them, Rick Terry of North Carolina, was chosen by Parcells for the New York Jets at the top of the second round, just minutes after the Patriots selected Canty with the 29th pick.
But Canty was clearly the player Carroll and the Patriots' scouts had in mind from the start.
"He has a little bit of a swagger about him; he has a great deal of confidence that is a necessary ingredient for a great corner," Carroll said. "We think we got just what we wanted."
Carroll discounted Canty's arrest last December on a drunken driving charge.
"We've researched the situation thoroughly," he said, "and feel like we understand the circumstances. It is something that was regrettable and he stated that himself. It was an issue we needed to address and find out all the circumstances of it so we knew exactly what happened."
Carroll said Canty was the corner they hoped would be available to them late in the first round to reinforce a secondary shredded by the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl.
"Bobby Grier (chief of personnel) had his eye on this guy from the start. We are getting a first class cover corner with a strong reputation for this throughout his career."
Although the Patriots said Canty had blazing speed, his time for the 40-yard dash was listed at 4.5 seconds, which is average for NFL cornerbacks. Canty said his best time was actually 4.4 seconds.
In a telephone hookup with the New England media, Canty said his drunken-driving arrest, which occurred after Kansas State learned it would be going to a bowl game, was a mistake. "I learned from my mistake," he said. "I'm trying to put it behind me right now and play for the Patriots."
He said he didn't believe he was ****y. "It's playing with confidence," he said.
He said his style was to play "with great energy and excitement." "I play with great emotion," he said.
He said he followed the Patriots last season and hoped he would be able to contribute in his rookie season.
Carroll said he hoped Canty would fit in to next year's plans. "We expect Chris will have an opportunity to play a great deal for us this year," he said. "It is up to him. He has to do the work, get himself prepared and fit in. But we think he can play and contribute right away."
Carroll said Canty's confidence should be an asset, although pre-draft experts noted in their reports that Canty at times got himself into trouble as a college player, baiting opponents and taking risks that backfired.
"We've seen him match up and take the toughest receiver and do it time and again," Carroll said, noting that Kansas State played against top-flight competition that included great skill players.
Here's how the Patriots described him in their press release:
'Shows explosive acceleration as he comes out low from his back pedal ... positions himself firmly before delivering the tackle ... has a confident demeanor and is very disciplined, staying with receivers on deep routes ... turns smoothly toward the ball ... has large soft hands with outstanding leaping ability going for the interception and has a very sharp break toward the play.'
Unlike the draft a year ago, yesterday at Foxboro was uneventful as the Patriots waited for the 28 teams drafting ahead of them to make their selections. A team spokesman said the Patriots' war room was united on the first pick.
