Cofield Gets Starting Nod

It's official - rookie fourth-round pick Barry Cofield has indeed captured the starting NT spot and will join Fred Robbins in the starting lineup.

The decision is yet another disappointment for former first-round pick, William Joseph, who began camp as one of the starting DTs but was unable to finish in the same fashion.

Cofield, who admitted he climbed the depth charts "a lot quicker than expected" will be a member of the starting defense next Sunday night when the Giants open the 2006 campaign by hosting the Colts. He started New York's final two preseason games and fared well enough to remain with the first-string.

"It's a dream come true," Cofield told TGI. "When camp started I really was only hoping and expecting to be in the top four of the rotation."

However, the bright rookie from Northwestern has already made it all the way to the top.