DMN Blog: Ratliff: I'm just going to suck it up

[Angus]

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Jay Ratliff: 'I'm just going to suck it up and play'

1:26 PM Sat, Aug 02, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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Jay Ratliff played only nose tackle this morning, and he'd prefer for it to stay that way. But that's not the coaching staff's plan, and Ratliff sees no point in complaining about it.
Ratliff said after practice that his desire to focus on one position might have been "kind of selfish." He's accepted that he'll bounce back and forth from nose tackle to left end.
"Wherever they need me, wherever I'm at, I'm just going to suck it up and play," Ratliff said. "I'm just going to make the best of it."

Ratliff has asked for extra reps at end. He's used to everything happening extremely fast in the middle, and he's trying to get comfortable with the timing and technique at end.
Ratliff is getting some help from RT Marc Colombo, who pulled Ratliff off to the side during the backups' reps in yesterday's pass-rush drills and gave him a few pointers from an offensive lineman's perspective. For example, Colombo pointed out that Ratliff was tipping his moves with his stance.
Wade Phillips wants Ratliff ready to play both positions so the coaching staff can create favorable matchups for him. Ratliff is the Cowboys' fastest and quickest defensive lineman, and Phillips believes he can be a playmaker at DE.
"I'm just going to have to work twice as hard now," Ratliff said.

 

[stealth]

Walked away liking marc even more

 

[newlander]

QFT: Colombo is nails.

 

[jobberone]

Walked away liking marc even more

k

One of our most unappreciated players. I hope he makes the PB this year. It will be hard some of it due to the fact it will be hard for four Dallas Cowboys to make the PB on the OL. I expect the other three to play at a PB level as well.

 

[big dog cowboy]

One of our most unappreciated players. I hope he makes the PB this year. It will be hard some of it due to the fact it will be hard for four Dallas Cowboys to make the PB on the OL. I expect the other three to play at a PB level as well.

Colombo is pretty unlikely to go to the pro bowl. Ragardless of how Flo, Bigg and Gurode play.

 

[lkelly]

Ratliff got his contract. Quit whining and volunteer to play gunner if that's what they want you to do.

 

[Echo9]

k

One of our most unappreciated players. I hope he makes the PB this year. It will be hard some of it due to the fact it will be hard for four Dallas Cowboys to make the PB on the OL. I expect the other three to play at a PB level as well.

I hope we plays well, but does not go to the Pro Bowl. He's a FA after this season, and I'd like to hold on to him.

 

[Echo9]

Ratliff got his contract. Quit whining and volunteer to play gunner if that's what they want you to do.

Might want to read more than just the headline.

Ratliff said after practice that his desire to focus on one position might have been "kind of selfish." He's accepted that he'll bounce back and forth from nose tackle to left end.
"Wherever they need me, wherever I'm at, I'm just going to suck it up and play," Ratliff said. "I'm just going to make the best of it."

Ratliff has asked for extra reps at end. He's used to everything happening extremely fast in the middle, and he's trying to get comfortable with the timing and technique at end.