- Messages
- 79,278
- Reaction score
- 45,637
8:00 AM Mon, Jul 20, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon/Blogger http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/bio-icon.jpg Bio | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
The sixth in a 10-part series:
Roster locks: Jay Ratliff, Igor Olshansky, Marcus Spears, Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher
Safe bets: Junior Siavii
On the bubble: Marcus Dixon
Long shots: Derreck Robinson, Jonas Seawright, Tim Anderson
What's worth watching: NT Ratliff has excellent chemistry with his good buddy Chris Canty, who left for Giant riches and was replaced by Olshansky at a fraction of the price. The Cowboys don't think there will be a drop-off at the position, but Ratliff and Olshansky will need to learn to play off of each other.
There's also intrigue with the backup defensive ends, especially since Spears is entering the final season of his contract.
Bowen and Hatcher have shown flashes, particularly as pass rushers, the last couple of seasons. Can one of them become a starter down the road? They'll also be competing for playing time next to Ratliff as an inside rusher in the nickel and dime defenses.
The Cowboys are counting on Junior Siavii, a 6-5, 320-pound former second-round pick who hasn't played a down in the last three regular seasons, to serve as Ratliff's backup. Wade Phillips liked what he saw from Siavii during last year's camp, but there was no room for him on the roster with Tank Johnson around.
If Siavii doesn't live up to the coaches' expectations, there's a hole on the roster behind Ratliff, although Olshanksky and Spears could play nose in a pinch.
Tim MacMahon/Blogger http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/bio-icon.jpg Bio | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
The sixth in a 10-part series:
Roster locks: Jay Ratliff, Igor Olshansky, Marcus Spears, Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher
Safe bets: Junior Siavii
On the bubble: Marcus Dixon
Long shots: Derreck Robinson, Jonas Seawright, Tim Anderson
What's worth watching: NT Ratliff has excellent chemistry with his good buddy Chris Canty, who left for Giant riches and was replaced by Olshansky at a fraction of the price. The Cowboys don't think there will be a drop-off at the position, but Ratliff and Olshansky will need to learn to play off of each other.
There's also intrigue with the backup defensive ends, especially since Spears is entering the final season of his contract.
Bowen and Hatcher have shown flashes, particularly as pass rushers, the last couple of seasons. Can one of them become a starter down the road? They'll also be competing for playing time next to Ratliff as an inside rusher in the nickel and dime defenses.
The Cowboys are counting on Junior Siavii, a 6-5, 320-pound former second-round pick who hasn't played a down in the last three regular seasons, to serve as Ratliff's backup. Wade Phillips liked what he saw from Siavii during last year's camp, but there was no room for him on the roster with Tank Johnson around.
If Siavii doesn't live up to the coaches' expectations, there's a hole on the roster behind Ratliff, although Olshanksky and Spears could play nose in a pinch.
