DMN: BLOG: Cowboys don't have to draft a DE to replace Chris Canty

[Cbz40]

Cowboys don't have to draft a DE to replace Chris Canty

3:05 PM Thu, Jan 22, 2009


Based on a recent conversation with his agent, the odds of Chris Canty playing for the Cowboys next season are slim.


That leaves a pretty large hole at right defensive end, but that doesn't mean the Cowboys need to draft a player at that position. They always have the option of using Jay Ratliff as an end in their base defense.



Ratliff made it clear during training camp, when the Cowboys were tinkering with using him at end, that he'd rather stay at nose tackle. Then he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in his first full season as a starter. But there's little doubt that Ratliff could be an impact DE, and he's not the kind of guy who would create problems if the Cowboys decide to go in that direction.



Of course, then they'd have to replace Ratliff at NT. If you watch the Senior Bowl, keep an eye on Boston College's Ron Brace (6-3, 324), a run-stuffer who might make sense for the Cowboys in the second round.

 

[skinsscalper]

Cowboys don't have to draft a DE to replace Chris Canty

3:05 PM Thu, Jan 22, 2009


Based on a recent conversation with his agent, the odds of Chris Canty playing for the Cowboys next season are slim.


That leaves a pretty large hole at right defensive end, but that doesn't mean the Cowboys need to draft a player at that position. They always have the option of using Jay Ratliff as an end in their base defense.



Ratliff made it clear during training camp, when the Cowboys were tinkering with using him at end, that he'd rather stay at nose tackle. Then he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in his first full season as a starter. But there's little doubt that Ratliff could be an impact DE, and he's not the kind of guy who would create problems if the Cowboys decide to go in that direction.



Of course, then they'd have to replace Ratliff at NT. If you watch the Senior Bowl, keep an eye on Boston College's Ron Brace (6-3, 324), a run-stuffer who might make sense for the Cowboys in the second round.

Brilliant idea, genius. Take a guy who is a Pro Bowler at one position and move him to a different position. How about we keep Ratliff where he is and draft a DE or Brace anyway?

 

[guag]

Ratliff at DE would be awesome, but honestly, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Knowing our luck, we'll move him to DE and then he'll stink up the joint. Probably best to just keep him at NT since we already know that he excels there.

But then again, it's probably easier to find an impact NT than it is to find an impact DE. What I would probably do is just draft or sign the best available defensive lineman, and whatever position he plays, just move Rat to the other position (or maybe that's just the Madden in me talking ).

 

[skinsscalper]

Ratliff at DE would be awesome, but honestly, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Knowing our luck, we'll move him to DE and then he'll stink up the joint. Probably best to just keep him at NT since we already know that he excels there.

But then again, it's probably easier to find an impact NT than it is to find an impact DE. What I would probably do is just draft or sign the best available defensive lineman, and whatever position he plays, just move Rat to the other position.

You're right to a certain extent but, ever since we switched to a 3-4 alignment, finding a good NT has been a weakness. Fergueson was serviceable, but he never even sniffed the Pro Bowl when he was here.

Throw in the fact that most DTs that even make to the Pro-Bowl are from a 4-3 system due to the fact that many 3-4 NTs are there to eat up blocks rather than make plays. Ratliff does both. I'd prefer to keep him where he excels.

 

[28 Joker]

Ricky Jean-Francois 6-3 290 LSU 3rd round DE/DT


He can play end or NT for Ratliff.

Make it happen, Jerry.

Edit: He will play end in the base and can give Ratliff a blow.

I don't want to move Ratliff. That is not smart. Why not try to find another Ratliff?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

You're right to a certain extent but, ever since we switched to a 3-4 alignment, finding a good NT has been a weakness. Fergueson was serviceable, but he never even sniffed the Pro Bowl when he was here.

Throw in the fact that most DTs that even make to the Pro-Bowl are from a 4-3 system due to the fact that many 3-4 NTs are there to eat up blocks rather than make plays. Ratliff does both. I'd prefer to keep him where he excels.

Out of all the potential positions of need on this club, i.e. strong safety, backup guard, backup center, ILB... To me the DL is going to rank at the top. And I at the moment I feel pretty confident the that a DL will be picked at #51.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I had to check, because I knew a blog post this worthless had to be MacMahon's.

I was right.

 

[Stash]

I had to check, because I knew a blog post this worthless had to be MacMahon's.

I was right.

I think we should sue for plagiarism because I guarantee he stole that idea from this place!

c:

 

[DaBoys4Life]

If we draft Brace in the second....Ratliff will still be playing nose.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I'm not sure I like moving Ratliff unless we get a huge space eater for the NT spot.