NFL Free Agent Signings: Washington Redskins Sign Barry Cofield to 6-Year Deal

NFL.com reports that the Washington Redskins have agreed a six-year contract with New York Giants defensive tackle Barry Cofield.

Cofield is a fantastic addition to the Redskins defense.  At just 27, he is entering his prime years as a linemen.  He offers Super Bowl-winning experience and a wealth of NFC East knowledge.

Cofield is an active interior presence who finished 2010 with 54 tackles, four passes defensed, four sacks and one forced fumble.

Entering his sixth season, Cofield has the skill set to start at either defensive end or nose tackle on the Redskins' 3-4 front.

At 6'4" and 306 pounds, Cofield has the height and frame to be effective as a 5-technique defensive end on a three-man line.

If played over the center, Cofield could use his ability and experience as a 3-technique in the Giants' 4-3 scheme to provide more of a rush threat up the middle than last year's starting nose tackles.

Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett has the option to utilize Cofield's rush skills by sliding him across into either A gap and showing some hybrid fronts.

He is a rugged linemen who uses tremendous strength and excellent leverage to disrupt the line of scrimmage.  Cofield is one of the toughest run defenders in the NFL and immediately upgrades an area of weakness for Washington.

Cofield's age and flexibility make him an encouragingly smart investment by Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen, who could have spent big on 30-somethings Aubrayo Franklin and Cullen Jenkins.

In Cofield, the Redskins get a player on the rise who should a valuable cornerstone of the defense for several seasons.

Official confirmation of the deal will hopefully come later this morning.