Off-Season Priority: Find A Nose Tackle - Dallas Cowboys Forum

AMERICAS_FAN · 01-02-2013

There's already a thread titled "Off-Season Priority #1: Find A Running Game". And I agree, in the NFL, you need to run the ball, but also stop the run. And we need a NT, in a bad way, to do that.

That's why - as equally as important as it is to find a running game - job-1 for this team this offseason is to find a NT who can command double teams, occupy space, stop the run and collapse the pocket.

Ratliff is gone, bet on it. He's a player in decline (strike-1), who had it out with Jerry Jones publically (strike-2), and was a no-show in the last game when other injured players made the trip to show their support (strike-3).

And Ratliff's replacement, Josh Brent will unfortunately have his life go down a different, unfortunate legal/punitive path. He's no longer a player the Cowboys can rely upon long term as a developing starter.

So in the draft - and I prefer that avenue to free agency - the Cowboys really need to look at NT. They'll be picking #18, and that's not a bad spot to be looking for a NT should a top flight player land there.

Are there any free agents who are available that might be options at NT - even though I do prefer they look for one in the draft over free agency?

Woods · 01-02-2013

With respect to Ratliff, I thought it was cap prohibitive to cut him this year?

That he most likely would be gone after the 2013 season.

I still think as part of a rotation he would be very useful. He can't handle 80-90% of the full-time snaps anymore.

perrykemp · 01-02-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woods

With respect to Ratliff, I thought it was cap prohibitive to cut him this year?

That he most likely would be gone after the 2013 season.

I still think as part of a rotation he would be very useful. He can't handle 80-90% of the full-time snaps anymore.

Problem is you can't count on him at all physically. His body totally broken down this year. Next year, another year older, it wouldn't be anything but <wishful> to count on Ratliff for anything.

davidyee · 01-02-2013

...o-line because they have a chance of improving both your run and pass game.

If we let our d-lineman heal and draft a few more ideal guys in the later rounds we may have a stout enough line to compete.

Right now even with our best o-line guys I can't say with confidence that we could compete on a consistent basis in the NFL.

I'm not sure if Bernardeau, Livings and Free are enough. Something has to change there.

Woods · 01-02-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by perrykemp

Problem is you can't count on him at all physically. His body totally broken down this year. Next year, another year older, it wouldn't be anything but <wishful> to count on Ratliff for anything.

The only silverlining may be that his main injury (I thought) was a hamstring injury earlier in the season which was followed by a groin injury.

So we're not talking about bad knees (for example) or a severe ankle injury.

I'm just saying that if it is prohibitive to cut him, that as part of a rotation where he's playing only about 50% of the snaps, he could be useful.

neosapien23 · 01-02-2013

Sammie Lee hill from the lions would be my top pick as a FA NT but only because he is the best of a weak NT FA group. Dallas needs to Landon Either Hankins or Jenkins with the 18th pick.

craig71 · 01-02-2013

I think if you set back and think about this roster you will see enough holes that you can pretty much take the best player available and fill a need. While some needs are greater than others, the simple truth is that they all need to be filled sooner rather than later.

Craig

DBOY3141 · 01-02-2013

OL first. We have got to start running the ball better.

Jonathan Cooper is my pick, then take DL in the 2nd and come back in the 3rd with either another OL or DL.

Oh_Canada · 01-02-2013

Dline should be #1 priority in both FA and the draft.

Hill (or Knighton) and Hankins sounds like a great starting point. They can find a guard in the second rd and move MB to compete with Costa and Kowalski att center.

elcocinero · 01-02-2013

I really thought Ratliff should have been tried at the 3-4 end position. He really didnt have the size to play NT, but insisted on playing there.

**MichaelWinicki** · 01-02-2013

3 caveat's...

#1 is the Cowboys do not seem to want/desire a mammoth NT (325lbs+). They would want someone who is more active and lighter. Probably more of a DT type in college... 6'3"/6'5" 290/310lbs.

#2 is that looking at the 18th pick in the first round and I don't see anyone there there grabs me at this point.

#3 if that if Spencer leaves, I would bet dollars to donuts that an OLBer type would be chosen at this spot if one that represented good value was there.

Shinywalrus · 01-02-2013

Don't see this. Run defense before both ILBs went down was quite stout, and NT isn't going to do all that much on pass rush.

With Brent gone and Ratliff hit by injuries and age, I think using a pick up there might be warranted if the player merits it, but top need? Again, I don't see it.

Silverstar · 01-02-2013

Still waiting to see if NT Kwame Geathers declares from Georgia.

He had 37 tackles in 2012, including 15 for loss and 1 sack.

He's a 6-6 355 NT and has two brothers already playing in the NFL. He's the brother of Bengals DE Robert Geathers and Colts DE Clifton Geathers. Clifton was already a Dallas Cowboy from December 8, 2010 until he was waived on August 31, 2012.

A good 3rd round pick IMO.

**MichaelWinicki** · 01-02-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverstar

Still waiting to see if NT Kwame Geathers declares from Georgia.

He had 37 tackles in 2012, including 15 for loss and 1 sack.

He's a 6-6 355 NT and has two brothers already playing in the NFL. He's the brother of Bengals DE Robert Geathers and Colts DE Clifton Geathers. Clifton was already a Dallas Cowboy from December 8, 2010 until he was waived on August 31, 2012.

A good 3rd round pick IMO.

Silver, I don't see the Cowboys interested in a guy in the middle with his measurables. He's simply too big. I don't know his speed #'s, but he probably lacks mobility which is a Cowboy must at the NT position.

Up to this point the Cowboys simply don't seem to be interested in behemoth nose-tackles.

Risen Star · 01-02-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

Silver, I don't see the Cowboys interested in a guy in the middle with his measurables. He's simply too big. I don't know his speed #'s, but he probably lacks mobility which is a Cowboy must at the NT position.

Up to this point the Cowboys simply don't seem to be interested in behemoth nose-tackles.

I think you're making assumptions and also giving the Cowboys too much credit.

We've never had a dominant 3-4 defense. One of the main reasons for that is we've never had a real NT. Mobility is way down the line of a list of traits you're looking for in a real NT. About as important as hands to a FB. Nice to have, not necessary to do the job.

To run a 3-4 and stick some 290lb player like Ratliff in the middle is idiotic. It ranks right up there with stockpiling cornerbacks and expecting your front seven to change.