Why Barry Cofield Is Flying Under the Radar as One of NFL's Premier Nose Tackles

He arrived to little fanfare as a 4-3 defensive tackle from the New York Giants in 2011, but two years later, the Washington Redskins are ready to declare Barry Cofield as the best nose tackle in the NFL.

Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett recently endorsed Cofield's significance to his unit, via Mike Jones of The Washington Post:

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I think Barry is the best nose tackle in the league because he can do a little bit of everything, Haslett said. He’s good on the run, he’s powerful, he’s strong, he’s a good pass-rusher. He’s relentless. I think that combination makes him the best. He’s not, maybe 350 pounds. He’s 315, 316-17 pounds, but I think he’s ideal for what we’re doing with him.

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In particular, Haslett was keen to point out what sets Cofield apart from most nose tackles, namely his ability to be a playmaker in pass-rushing situations:

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If a nose tackle gets two sacks in this league? That’s outstanding, Haslett said. Most noses don’t play on third down. Barry plays on third down.

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This sack from Cofield's dominant Week 4 display against the Oakland Raiders showcased his skills on third down:

Third-Down Playmaker

A lot of the pressure Washington's defense generates from their nickel package comes from Cofield collapsing the interior of the pocket.

In the aforementioned Week 4 contest, with the Raiders facing a 2nd-and-17 from their own 29-yard line deep into the third quarter, Cofield positioned himself in the A-gap between the center and right guard.

This 1-gap alignment makes it easier for Cofield to pressure the backfield, as he has three lines of attack to choose from. The lines to the sides make it easier for the Redskins to run stunts, twists and games n the inside, which is one of Haslett's favorite ploys.

In this example, Cofield is slanted across from Raiders center Stefan Wisniewski (61), attacking the left side of the Raiders O-line.

That move drew the attention of left guard Andre Gurode (64). This meant Cofield occupied a double-team.

That allowed the rest of the front to face single blocking. Notice how Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan are able to win their matchups on the outside and shrink the pocket around quarterback Matt Flynn.

The blue line indicates fellow interior lineman Stephen Bowen looping around Cofield, where only the running back is there to block him.

With Flynn being pushed forward by Orakpo and Kerrigan's pressure, Cofield split the double-team and sacked Flynn for a six-yard loss.

Cofield's experience in a 4-3 and greater-than-average quickness for a nose tackle makes him a valuable interior pass-rusher on third downs.

But not all of Cofield's best plays serve to pad his own statistics.

Setting the Table for Others

One of the main jobs of a nose tackle is to create opportunities for his fellow defenders to make plays. Cofield is one of the league's best at "setting the table for others."

He created one of the game's biggest plays against the Raiders. Oakland faced a 3rd-and-10 at their own 43, and Cofield was again anchoring the pass rush from a 1-gap alignment in the middle.

At the snap, Cofield immediately drew a double team from Wisniewski and right guard Mike Brisiel (65).

That, again, meant that the rest of Washington's line faced one-on-one blocking. As Bowen and Kerrigan closed in, Flynn rushed his pass.

But he was unable to clearly see his target thanks to Cofield pushing the center back and raising his hands. Flynn was forced to throw over Cofield and didn't see rookie cornerback David Amerson undercutting the pass.

Amerson made the interception and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. It was a turnover and a score set up by Cofield causing havoc in the middle.

He creates similar playmaking opportunities for others when defending the running game, too. The Raiders faced a second down at Washington's 35. They planned to attack with a simple draw play from an I-formation look. The defense was in its base 2-gap, 3-4 front, with Cofield playing the 0 technique over the center.

At the snap, Cofield used his strength to shift the center off balance. He then slanted in the direction of the run.

Cofield soon drew a double team from both the center and the lead blocker, fullback Jamize Olawale (49). This gave inside linebacker Perry Riley, Jr. a clear lane to tackle running back Rashad Jennings for a minimal gain.

Absorbing blockers to create free lanes for linebackers to make plays is the essential function of a 3-4 nose tackle. Cofield has become very adept at helping his teammates thrive.

The last play is also a prime example of how destructive Cofield can be in the base defense.

Dominating from the Base 3-4 Look

Most nose tackles are unseen in 3-4 schemes, but Cofield's impact from base looks is particularly impressive.

Against the Detroit Lions in Week 3, Cofield showed how he can still create pressure from the 3-4 base.

With the Lions at the Redskins' 5-yard line, the defense aligned in a 1-gap, 3-4 look. Both ends were positioned in the guard-tackle gaps, with Cofield still playing the 0 technique.

He would rush over the shoulder of center Dominic Raiola. Cofield would use his hands to get around his blocker and behind the line.

Notice how he used a rip move to power underneath the grasp of Raiola.

That got Cofield through the line and into the face of Lions passer Matthew Stafford.

He then used his deceptive quickness to close in on Stafford and hit him as he threw, forcing an incomplete pass.

Cofield can also lead the way repelling the run from his base alignment. On 2nd-and-9 from their own 44, the Lions tried to run Joique Bell on a counter play behind the right guard.

The Redskins were again in a 1-gap alignment, and Cofield positioned himself in the A-gap between the center and left guard.

Cofield immediately occupied two blockers, taking on Raiola and guard Rob Sims (67).

That double team gave inside 'backers Riley and Fletcher free pursuit lanes to Bell, who could not cut back behind Sims, because Fletcher was waiting. Bell was also prevented from continuing behind right guard Larry Warford (75), because Riley was ready to wrap around and make the tackle.

Bell was forced into the middle, right at Cofield. The beefy nose tackle split the double team and dropped Bell for a short gain.

In two plays, Cofield flashed the ability to get into the backfield and make impact plays. Those are not characteristics shared by most 3-4 nose tackles.

But Cofield is not the typical 3-4 nose tackle. He is versatile enough to anchor a three-man front as a 2-gapper or to create pressure from 1-gap alignments.

Back in July 2011, I suggested that Cofield as a possible solution to Washington's nose tackle position, highlighting the greater level of athleticism the former 4-3 practitioner could bring to the role:

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Listed as a nose tackle in the Giants 4-3, Cofield has regularly lined up over the center and played a 0- or 1-technique.  He would provide the Redskins with a more dynamic athlete at the position than they currently posses.  The former Northwestern standout could generate some decent pocket pressure from the middle.  Last season's tally of four sacks shows that Cofield has some credible pass-rush capability.

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Cofield has proved most of that description to be correct. He has added his natural flexibility to the basic principles of being the focal point of a 3-4 scheme.

That might not make him the league's best nose tackle just yet, but Cofield certainly deserves more acclaim as one of the NFL's premier players at his position.

All screen shots courtesy of Fox Sports and NFL.com Gamepass.