Does defensive tackle Barry Cofield deserve a rich mega-contract from the New York Giants? That is one of the questions facing the Giants this offseason. It sounds like Cofield does not know how the Giants will answer that question.
Speaking with Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger, Cofield expressed a desire to stay -- but also made it clear he expects to be handsomely paid.
"I feel like they’ve seen the work that I put in, they told me that I’m a valuable part of the team and they would like to keep me," he said after a workout at TEST Sports Clubs in Martinsville. "I just feel like I’m the one guy that, whatever you read, they say they want to try and re-sign everybody, but Cofield’s probably gone. I don’t understand that.
"I feel like I’m the one guy that everyone’s writing off, but I think that’s a good thing, that means they feel like there will be a high demand for me. But the Giants said they want to have an opportunity to be in the running and I would prefer to stay."
Cofield, who will be 27, is coming off the best season of his five-year career. He recorded career highs in sacks (four) and tackles (54) in 2010. The Giants did recently extend Cofield an RFA tender, but Cofield scoffed at that.
"I don’t see any scenario where I play for that tender next year," Cofield said.
Question is, just how hard will the Giants bid for Cofield? They nearly traded him to New Orleans during last year's draft, and have previously been unwilling to give him a big-money deal. I am just not sure his strong 2010 season will change that, especially with 2010 second-round pick Linval Joseph waiting in the wings.
- Tom Quinn will still be coaching the Giants' special team in 2011, but he will be getting some new help. That is because assistant special teams coach Thomas McGaughey is leaving the Giants for an assistant coaching position with LSU.
- Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News has a breakdown of the ongoing labor negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA. Ralph is not sounding optimistic.