Disturbing Quote by Stephen Jones re: Ratliff

[Vanilla2]

I agree. Ratliff's opinion shouldn't factor into it. If it does, we're not operating the right way.

He should have been moved two years ago.

I'm not sure I've read a negative comment, post or article that you haven't agreed with.

 

[BigStar]

I probably went overboard with saying Ryan's job is at risk IF he pushed to replace Ratliff as the starting NT but I think many overestimate the honesty a DC would have with the GM who also happens to pay his paychecks and determines his future based on ALLOWING him to make other pivotal decisions outside of the NT/Ratliff decision.

Previous comments like, "Brockers could have been the NT if we drafted him...or we need a premium difference making big NT to rationalize replacing a Ratliff as starting NT. Ryan doesn't have the freedom to roll out a starting NT without considerable pedigree due to the FO's affection with Ratliff and the financial investment involved.

Like many have said, Ratliff wouldn't be AS disruptive in terms of his personal production, but he could be more influential in terms of improving the pass rush by assisting at end with a real NT to push to pocket back, leading to more sacks from outside rushers. You guys act like there is only one option (singing along with the FO) while others would like to see some improvement or EFFORT in improving this obvious lacking area.

Ratliff has worn down throughout the last two seasons and that is well known by most fans who simply watch the games. The better question to our FO/coaching staff is why are we ALLOWING him this opportunity to get worn down early, making him nearly worthless as a 4th quarter pass rusher later in the year? As some have hinted and I agree with, this structure just doesn't seem beneficial to the performance of the defense as a WHOLE. Ratliff simply doesn't offer enough disruption as a pass rusher to warrant to not signing a sufficient pocket collapser to help our outside rushers and corners.

 

[Eskimo]

What is so hard to understand?

At NT his biggest strength is his athletic ability...so we get a mismatch inside.

Move him to end and he loses that mismatch because he isn't DE/OLB athletic and OTs can neutralize him.

It is one of the reasons to love all the 4-3 looks we may have because Ratliff's best position would be DT in a 4-3...where he'd be a Warren Sapp/John Randle type player.

I never understand why they didn't move him to RDE so he'll be playing next to Ware who rushes the passer about 80% of the time in the base defense. So when Ware is rushing he won't be going up against OTs - he'll be in a 1-on-1 with a Guard but he'll have more space to exploit with the Tackle swining out to stop Ware.

As for the claim Rat would be a Randle-like force at DT in a 4-3 - that is a pipe dream. He gets plenty of opportunity to rush out of a 4-man line and he is just okay at it now. He got all of 2 sacks last year even though he had many snaps out of a 4-man line. The guy is in rapid decline as a pass rusher and it is obvious except to those in deep denial. It is such a shame we gave him that extension last year when he was due to be a FA at the end of this year and we likely would have been able to re-sign him at a discount if he put up anoter 2-3 sack year. If he left we would have likely gotten a decent compensation pick. Instead we'll get nothing after releasing him and eat the dead money like we always do. Other teams get compensation picks on their vets because they time the contracts according to how long the player will be useful and provide value and then let them leave at the end and collect the pick.

I hope Rat has a big bounce back year but I'm not expecting it. I do hope Brent sees a lot more snaps this year and has a good year. I think he has a lot of potential and played very well as a rookie.

 

[jobberone]

Disagree. No player has earned the right to dictate coaching decisions. Or even influence coaching decisions. Players play. Coaches coach. The line between them should never be blurred.

Yeah, well good coaches use their players strengths and minimize their weaknesses so they look and listen.

 

[BigStar]

That is a great philosophy during TC somewhat and during the season but your are allowed to upgrade the position during the off-season and we refuse to do that for the reasons mentioned in previous posts.

Maximize what you have is a great philosophy if you are continually looking to UPGRADE at postitions of need. The boys FO refuses to do that at NT, and bc of recent quotes made by Stephen this is painfully obvious. We need a first round NT to even consider even moving Ratliff? The Cowboys continually fix the problems after the fact and moreso when things begin to crash and burn. Ex: the secondary and this recent off season's focus of finally solidifying the secondary with the trade up for Claiborne and the signing of Carr.

 

[Eskimo]

That is a great philosophy during TC and during the season but your are allowed to upgrade the position during the off-season and we refuse to do that for the reasons mentioned in previous posts.

Maximize what you have is a great philosophy if you are continually looking to UPGRADE at postitions of need. The boys FO refuses to do that at NT, and bc of recent quotes made by Stephen this is painfully obvious. We need a first round NT to even consider even moving Ratliff? The Cowboys continually fix the problems after the fact and moreso when things begin to crash and burn. Ex: the secondary and this recent off season's focus of finally solidifying the secondary with the trade up for Claiborne and the signing of Carr.

There is some truth to this opinion.

I do think we made an attempt to improve it by signing Brent in the supplemental draft. I think he should have played more last season and he missed a bunch of time with an injury. I would like to see him get around 300 snaps next season so Rat could be limited to about 550 snaps and be more effective later in games when we need him to apply pressure.

The same can also be said of Ware who often appears to be gassed at the end of games. We need to give him some more breaks during the game, especially in the base defense. We can put in one of the kids sometimes to play a few plays so Ware has a bit of extra spring in his step on 3rd downs.

The one thing Jerry has never done since we moved to a 3-4 is sign a situational pass rusher. This would be a very good use of cap dollars and I think Andre Carter and Robert Mathis are still available.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I'm supposed to be disturbed by this?

 

[Beast_from_East]

I think alot depends on how Rat plays this year. If he gets worn down by the en of games and is not getting a push up the middle, I think his time at NT might be over.

However, if he continues to play at a high level and provides inside pass rush, I see no reason to move him.


In other words, if he is getting the job done he can play where he wants, but as soon as his production/effectiveness starts to decline the decision is no longer his.


This season should tell us which way we should go in the future.

 

[BigStar]

The last Giants game should be more telling to our fans but I guess the FO PR people are paid for what they do. NO PASS RUSH WHATSOEVER. But yeah we will roll out the same squad bc it would be IDIOTIC to add some kind of inside presence that could push the pocket back to our one effective rusher in Ware. Let's just roll out our PROVEN inside presence in Ratliff to provide that much needed pressure to stop these 3 step drops...o wait, tried that already, TWICE; last two seasons, though '10 was lost anyway w Romo out.

 

[AZBOYZFAN]

We led the league through the 1st 7 weeks and finished number 7 even after a couple of games with defensive breakdowns and getting gashed.

Which had nothing to do with Ratliff wearing down and the "real" run stopper being injured. Naw couldnt be Ratliff is a pro bowler who plays like he played 2 or 3 years ago and doesnt continue to drop weight trying not to wear out in the fourth quarter or later in the season.

 

[IAMKING]

The line that should not be blurred is coach and owner.

 

[Idgit]

Jobs in the NFL are probably like jobs anyplace else. If you're boss wants to move you, he's going to talk to you about it to see what you think. If he's a good boss, he'll factor your feedback into his decision making process. Only a neanderthal would try to make the decision in a vacuum.

Plus, moving Rat would be a mistake, anyway. People have been wanting to do it for years, and it's been dumb for years. How 'bout we add an impact player to the roster at DE? Or maybe we got lucky and we just did.

 

[silverbear]

I'm supposed to be disturbed by this?

I'm trying to work myself up to being outraged, but it's hard...

 

[silverbear]

The line that should not be blurred is coach and owner.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

You are the one millionth poster to take a gratuitous cheap shot at Jerry Jones... we have a vast array of incredibly valuable prizes for you, and of course the admiration of millions...

 

[slomoxn]

I like Rat at NT but and I don't rewatch the games over and over; but I will say that it seems even with the times he is able to apply pressure there are also plenty of times the QB has a nice soft pocket to step into and make a third and forever completion. Many on here have stated that this is due to no pressure being applied in the middle which makes Ware and Spencer whiff on a sure sack if he has nowhere to go. With the pressure applied from our OLBs no quarterback should be able to step up as it is the only place to go.

 

[black label]

awesome

 

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

How is this disturbing? Am I missing something here?

 

[Zordon]

i think ratliff is a good player. i believe the lack of pressure up the middle has more to do with the below average defensive ends.

 

[The Realist]

Until a prototype 3-4 NT (Wilfork, Ngata, Raji) falls in our lap Rat isn't moving. One of the dumbest moves we never made was not moving up one spot for Wilfork.

Could you imagine:

Rat Wilfork Canty
Spencer Lee Carter Ware

It might make sense to play Rat at DE this year and play Lissemore/Brent at NT.

 

[Frosty]

i think ratliff is a good player. i believe the lack of pressure up the middle has more to do with the below average defensive ends.

WOW 5 pages of hearing about Ratliffs refusal to move to DE and know one compared him to Albert Haynseworth.

Yes, Rat has lost a step and getting older. Can he be the difference maker he used to be, time will tell. On the other hand the HC, Garrett needs to play the best player at the position the team needs him at. Garrett cant show favorites and then tell the media and the fans its all about competition and playing the best player.