Colts: Why They Should Sign DT Barry Cofield

The Colts need more depth and experience on their defensive line. By signing free agent DT Barry Cofield, the Colts can have their cake and eat it too.

The Colts starting defensive line consists of one 10-year veteran and two rookies. For the first time in franchise history the Colts started two rookie defensive linemen – David Parry and Henry Anderson – last week against Buffalo. The veteran, Kendall Langford approached both rookies with a simple message before their week 1 matchup against the Bills. As reported by Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, Langford told the two, “Ya’ll ain’t rookies no more.”

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Both rookies and Langford played well in their first game for the Colts. Believe it, or not, the loss in Buffalo was not the fault of these three men. In fact, Anderson tallied a team high 9 tackles and Langford made his presence known in the backfield with two tackles for loss. Parry did exactly as he is supposed to, eating up blocks so that the inside linebackers can run free. All things considered, it was a good performance by the trio.

So, just why should they sign free agent Barry Cofield? It’s Simple. He is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, experienced and a former team captain. He could help fill the leadership void from the losses of Art Jones(injury) and Cory Redding (free agency).

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Despite the rookies’ solid performances in week one, it was only one game in a 16 game season. No matter how good rookies play they all inevitably hit the dreaded “rookie wall.” At some point in the season no matter if it is week 8, 14 or 16 their bodies will hit the wall. The transition from college to the NFL is grueling, even if they played for a pro-ready system like Stanford.

In addition to the rookie wall, is the simple fact that the Colts have taken flyers on less experienced players to back up the trio. Earl Okine is a rookie from the FXFL and Zach Kerr is only in his second season. As I wrote after the final cuts, the Colts two biggest needs defensively were at nose tackle and defensive end. They kept five defensive linemen at the 53-man roster deadline and have since added T.Y. McGill off waivers from Seattle and traded for 4-year veteran defensive end Billy Winn from Cleveland.

This is not a knock on those recent acquisitions, but Cofield, even at age 31, he is an immense upgrade over those two. When I say immense, I mean he is both, better and bigger. Cofield is a big body tackle that can play both interior positions as a nose tackle and a 5T. He can clog the middle, stuff the run and has a knack for getting to the quarterback with interior pressure. If you’re keeping score at home that’s a hat trick.

The Colts need a deep defensive line rotation. They must keep their big bodies in the trenches fresh. The Colts must prevent opposing offenses from running the ball at will on them like they have in the past. A technique that is widely accepted, is to run the ball 30-40 times against the Colts. If they succeed Andrew Luck and the high-powered offense stays on the sidelines and eventually the Colts defense will tire out. We saw it in the 2014 AFC Championship game against the Patriots, and in week one at Buffalo, where they ran the ball 36 times on the Colts.

Cofield, wants to play for a contender and the likeliest destinations for him are the Indianapolis Colts or the Green Bay Packers. He is finishing his rehabilitation from a torn labrum. According to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, he wants to sign with a contender in October. The Colts have a need that he fits and can also give him the opportunity to chase after his third Super Bowl ring. Let’s make it happen.

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