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1:58 PM Mon, Mar 02, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
Jay Ratliff and Chris Canty have been tight since rooming together during their rookie minicamp.
That won't change after Canty signed with a bitter NFC East rival. Ratliff will miss playing next to Canty, but he understands the business side of the NFL and said he's happy that his good buddy got a big contract.
Ratliff's role, on the other hand, could change with Canty moving on to the Giants. The Cowboys haven't given Ratliff a clue whether he'll stay at nose tackle or slide over to replace Canty at right end.
"This year will be no different than any other year," said Ratliff, who came into the league as an end after being drafted in the seventh round and became a full-time nose tackle when Jason Ferguson was injured in the 2007 season opener. "I'll go into the year not knowing what position I'm going to play. I'll just be ready for whatever."
The Cowboys tinkered with Ratliff playing some defensive end during the last preseason, but that experiment was scrapped after the season opener.
The Cowboys could be waiting to see what they can get in the draft before determining whether Ratliff would fill a bigger need at nose tackle or defensive end. Or he could play both positions, taking advantage of his versatility by moving around to create mismatches and confusion.
Ratliff made it clear during training camp that he was most comfortable at nose tackle and would prefer to concentrate on that position. Then he proved his point by earning a trip to the Pro Bowl.
But Ratliff won't lobby or complain about where the Cowboys decide to play him. He plans to spend all his energy trying to improve his game instead of worrying about which position he plays.
"They're going to move me wherever they want to move me," Ratliff said. "There's nothing I can do about it. ... I'm not going to make any noise."
That's not true. Ratliff will make a lot of noise in opposing backfields, whether he lines up over the center or the tackle.
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
Jay Ratliff and Chris Canty have been tight since rooming together during their rookie minicamp.
That won't change after Canty signed with a bitter NFC East rival. Ratliff will miss playing next to Canty, but he understands the business side of the NFL and said he's happy that his good buddy got a big contract.
Ratliff's role, on the other hand, could change with Canty moving on to the Giants. The Cowboys haven't given Ratliff a clue whether he'll stay at nose tackle or slide over to replace Canty at right end.
"This year will be no different than any other year," said Ratliff, who came into the league as an end after being drafted in the seventh round and became a full-time nose tackle when Jason Ferguson was injured in the 2007 season opener. "I'll go into the year not knowing what position I'm going to play. I'll just be ready for whatever."
The Cowboys tinkered with Ratliff playing some defensive end during the last preseason, but that experiment was scrapped after the season opener.
The Cowboys could be waiting to see what they can get in the draft before determining whether Ratliff would fill a bigger need at nose tackle or defensive end. Or he could play both positions, taking advantage of his versatility by moving around to create mismatches and confusion.
Ratliff made it clear during training camp that he was most comfortable at nose tackle and would prefer to concentrate on that position. Then he proved his point by earning a trip to the Pro Bowl.
But Ratliff won't lobby or complain about where the Cowboys decide to play him. He plans to spend all his energy trying to improve his game instead of worrying about which position he plays.
"They're going to move me wherever they want to move me," Ratliff said. "There's nothing I can do about it. ... I'm not going to make any noise."
That's not true. Ratliff will make a lot of noise in opposing backfields, whether he lines up over the center or the tackle.
