Could Barry Cofield and Jovan Haye revive our defense?

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I was looking around at some websites, getting a feel for who they think is going to stay with their current team and who will leave to take on greater challenges. Two names kept coming up Barry Cofield (due to the drafting of Marvin Austin) and Jovan Haye (due to the drafting of three other interior linemen by the Titans). I then began to think what these two guys could do for us.

The defensive end position is pretty much set as long as Charles Johnson is re-signed and the Panthers are already on their way to improving a lackluster defensive tackle position. However, I think with the edition of these two guys (Cofield and Haye) our defensive line would once again play a huge roll in the outcome of our season. Barry Cofield has links to the Panthers coaching staff as he played under defensive line coach Eric Washington at Northwestern. Cofield had a career season last year notching: 54 tackles (39 solo, 15 assisted), 4 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss (8 yards lost in the tackles), 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked kick, and 4 passes defended. At age 27 Cofield can only get better with time and one needs to understand, that with Washington already on the staff and with the coaches in place such as Ron Rivera and Sean McDermott, I think the combination would be a perfect fit.

Jovan Haye is another good player that gets overlooked for his consecutive down seasons. However, during his tenure in Tampa Bay; Haye could not be stopped. In the 2007 season with the Bucs, Haye recorded outrageous stats, he had: 73 tackles (50 solo, 23 assisted), 6 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss (6 yards lost in the tackles), 1 forced fumble, and 2 passes defended. Haye is rumored to be on his way out of Tennessee after the drafting of three defensive tackles, which in all likelihood seals his fate as a Titan. I think Haye would be a cheap yet productive investment as he is only 28 and still has a lot more gas left in the tank.

With the addition of Cofield and Haye, our defensive tackle depth chart would look like this...

1. Barry Cofield

2. Terrell McClain

3. Jovan Haye

4. Sione Fua

5. Derek Landri

6. Ed Johnson

That is a defensive tackle group that looks like it is strong from top to bottom and depending on how the rookies play, that is a defensive tackle group that could be one of the top ten in the league.

Accompanying our defensive tackles is our defensive ends and the Panthers have all the depth you could want for and more with the ends.

1. Charles Johnson

2. Greg Hardy

3. Tyler Brayton

4. Everette Brown

5. Eric Norwood

6. Hilee Taylor

I think those 12 defensive linemen could bring the swagger and potential to be a nasty interior team back to Charlotte again, tell me what you guys think?

[SorthNarolina]

i think we need more help those would be great signings.

[thunderraiden]

Its already been speculated by a poster claiming to have inside sources that we will be targeting Cofield during Free Agency when it finally gets here. Considering the fact all his leads checked out for the draft, no reason to stop doubting him now.

[Jackofalltrades]

I thought Hilee Taylor was cut last year.

I've been wanting Coefield for a while, wouldn't mind bringing back Hollis Thomas although he's old as dirt.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I thought Hilee Taylor was cut last year.

I've been wanting Coefield for a while, wouldn't mind bringing back Hollis Thomas although he's old as dirt.

Hilee is still here, I believe he was put on IR after he got hurt in preseason if I'm not mistaken but I'm not 100%.

[Jackofalltrades]

Ah, for some reason I thought he got cut. I really don't see him making the roster.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

If we don't sign another defensive end, then I think he does for depth.

[iamcline]

Defense seems fine to me. The biggest addition to our defense will be a Quarterback who can sustain a drive.

[SirPanther]

As long as Nick Hayden isn't playing I'm fine with whoever we bring in.

[bes628]

Cofield will work....54 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 Pass Def, 1 FF last year....instant upgrade.

[Catalyst]

Something about signing Jovan Haye to a big contract would make me sick to my stomach...

[bleys]

I'm waiting for the day Jovan Haye makes it back to the Panthers...

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Something about signing Jovan Haye to a big contract would make me sick to my stomach...

Not a big contract mate, just a small to medium sized contract. He isn't really worth even a medium sized contract but he has the potential to be.

[Catalyst]

Guys like that tend to get severely over-paid in free agency. If we can get him for a decent price I'd be fine with it, but I have a feeling he'll want more and some team will offer it.