Defensive tackle getting to face former team in Week 1 Barry Cofield’s new Redskins teammates expect him to have something special in store for his first game against his old team. Could Sunday’s season opener against the Giants see the first Washington version of his famed Taser sack dance?
“I’m sure he’s going to try and make a statement,” defensive end Stephen Bowen said.
Even if he doesn’t come up with a sack, there’s a certain ease with knowing what to expect from a starting nose tackle. It’s a luxury the Redskins haven’t enjoyed since switching to a 3-4 defense last season.
– John Keim
| Notes |
| » Tight end Chris Cooley (knee), running back Ryan Torain (hand), receiver Donte Stallworth (shoulder), receiver Brandon Banks (knee) and safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (hamstring) all were limited in practice Thursday. Cooley has not practiced in full for more than a month. “It takes time to get back in football shape and to feel comfortable with himself,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said. Strong safety LaRon Landry did not practice, and Shanahan called him a “long shot.” But Landry all but ruled himself out Wednesday. |
| » Safety Reed Doughty will start in place of Landry, as he did for the final seven games last season. Doughty also started twice at free safety. Though Doughty is not as talented as Landry, teammates say he’s valuable because of his ability to play either safety spot, nickel linebacker and special teams. “A guy like Reed, you don’t miss him until you don’t have him,” linebacker London Fletcher said. “You can’t say enough about him.” |
With Cofield on board via the six-year, $36 million free agent deal that lured him to Washington after he spent his first five NFL seasons in New York, the Redskins have turned the corner on the Albert Haynesworth era without even mentioning his name.
“He’s a professional,” Redskins middle linebacker London Fletcher said when asked about Cofield. “He’s an excellent player. He brings great talent. He’s a leader. We’ve added to our talent here and weakened an opponent. It’s definitely a big plus bringing him in.”
In moving from New York to Washington, Cofield also has made the shift from defensive tackle in a 4-3 formation to nose tackle. At 6-foot-4 and 306 pounds, he doesn’t quite clog the middle like his predecessor. But whereas Haynesworth didn’t want to make the switch, Cofield has willingly accepted it.
“He can play in any system,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said in a conference call Wednesday afternoon, echoing similar comments from Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. “It’s always a blow when you have a player of that quality that you can’t keep in your program. Barry was a very outstanding player for us for a lot of years. Very smart, very efficient, very strong. Did everything you asked him to do. He was a great anticipator, so it’s always a blow if you lose a player of that quality, but it is what it is.”
Dominance at the line of scrimmage has been integral to the Giants’ six-game winning streak against the Redskins. In an effort to stem the tide, Cofield has been generous with insight on his former teammates, but his switch to the opposite side could prove just as important, especially if he gets to quarterback Eli Manning.
“Everybody knows about it. He has one of the most famous dances out there,” Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said. “I’m on Twitter every day and people always ask me, ‘Are you going to do Barry Cofield’s sack dance?’ He’s just a solid guy, and I hate to see him go.”
It’s a testament to what Cofield said he misses most about his first NFL team, the relationships. But he’s saving the catching up for after Sunday’s game.
“After the game, I’ll hug everybody,” Cofield said. “Everybody on the roster gets a hug.”
