DMN: Our NT Problem is addressed

[Zimmy Lives]

He's not a Beast like Tank.

Yup. Tank may have thought he was King Kong but he played more like Tarzan's Chetah.

 

[Thick 'N Hearty]

Siavii was once a 2nd round pick. I rooted like heck for him to show something last year but he didn't. They must see something they like in him to bring him back rather than take a chance on someone new.

Matt Spanos went to some college, I forget, but I know that they are known for winning and producing champions. Seriously, he was a kid that was at USC for what seemed like forever. He became the starter late in his career and he played his whole senior year with a pretty serious injury. He's tough, fundamentally sound, and should be able to challenge roster-hording players like Joe Berger and Cory Proctor.

Jerome Carter was pretty decent at Florida State.

Must've been an impressive school

 

[Sasquatch]

Not sure about the players but can't argue with the priorities. I would definitely like to see additions made at the C, DT, and CB either through draft or free agency.

 

[CF74]

All he has to do is dive at the centers feet, Pile Up!!!

 

[TNCowboy]

I believe NT is a problem. There are too many times we got pushed around and too few times we made big stops. I think Ratliff is perfect for Wade's defense but there are times when you must line up over your man and stand your ground. That's not Ratliff's best ability. We need a huge immovable object in there at times.

I agree 100%.

Ratliff is one of the best players on the team, but there are times where he got pushed around.

More than a new safety or LB, I think getting Ratliff outside and plugging the middle with a big horse will do more to improve the defense than anything else, IMO.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Two words: camp fodder

 

[JonJon]

January 12, 2009
Junior Siavii is back!

Good. Someone needs to record the new hit HBO series, Hard Knocks: Inside the heart of a bunch of losers, starring the Dallas Cowboys.

 

[Big Country]

No, it isn't.


Siavii sucks.

so your proof is what??

seen him play live?

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Goodness some of you people are childish. The dude is being brought in, like most guys in this type of situation, to be a body during training camp. Acting like he was brought in for anything else is foolish.

 

[jobberone]

I agree 100%.

Ratliff is one of the best players on the team, but there are times where he got pushed around.

More than a new safety or LB, I think getting Ratliff outside and plugging the middle with a big horse will do more to improve the defense than anything else, IMO.

I don't think Ratliff needs to be replaced. He's a Pro Bowl player at NT on a 3-4 that plays in the gap. That's his strength. I do not think he's the best player to heads up though. I believe Tank was supposed to be that fireplug over center. He didn't work out either. We need a big fat guy that can't be moved out of that hole. We need another role player.

 

[JordanTaber]

I believe NT is a problem. There are too many times we got pushed around and too few times we made big stops. I think Ratliff is perfect for Wade's defense but there are times when you must line up over your man and stand your ground. That's not Ratliff's best ability. We need a huge immovable object in there at times.

Ratliff consistently stands his ground. The only knock on him is that he's less imposing psychologically speaking (because he's not a mammoth) than, say, Casey Hampton or Jamal Williams.

 

[jobberone]

Ratliff consistently stands his ground. The only knock on him is that he's less imposing psychologically speaking (because he's not a mammoth) than, say, Casey Hampton or Jamal Williams.

He obviously does a great job most of the time. My opinion is he gives up too much at times and I think it's because he's too small for some plays. We need someone to play straight up over center on short yardage plays.

 

[Texan_Eph89]

3-4 Needs a huge body at NT. Rattliff is going to make an awesome DE, but he is built as a 4-3 DT, not a 3-4.

If we can fill that space well enough, Rattliff at LE would be tight.
Ware on one side and Him at the other, while James is waiting in the middle.
QBs watch out.

 

[rangers71]

3-4 Needs a huge body at NT. Rattliff is going to make an awesome DE, but he is built as a 4-3 DT, not a 3-4.

If we can fill that space well enough, Rattliff at LE would be tight.
Ware on one side and Him at the other, while James is waiting in the middle.
QBs watch out.

Well he made the pro bowl as a 3-4 NT. He must be doing something right. for all you guys who want a big fat guy in that spot how many times did you see Casey Hampton or Shawn rogers come off the field after a few plays because they were to fat and couldn't breathe? We don't need that. Ratliff is fine where he is.

 

[Rockytop6]

January 12, 2009
Junior Siavii is back!

Brian Davis E-mail News tips

This won't be 1A news in tomorrow's paper, but the Cowboys announced they have signed three players to the roster -- defensive back Jerome Carter, center Matt Spanos and nose tackle Junior Siavii.

Siavii is the most interesting of the three. He was one of the final cuts last August when the team finalized the 53-man roster.

Siavii had a hard time making his way through training camp while competing against Jay Ratliff and Tank Johnson. He ended up being out of football last season. Siavii must overcome very long odds to make the roster in 2009, but at least Johnson will probably be out of the way.



Jerome Carter, DB Florida State

Junior Siavii, NT Oregon

Matt Spanos, C Southern California

Why would we want him if he couldn't beat out the man we probably will not resign? Camp fodder?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

who doesn't think that the reason Tank made the final cut instead of Siavii was because of Jerry Jones?

 

[pgreptom]

Well he made the pro bowl as a 3-4 NT. He must be doing something right. for all you guys who want a big fat guy in that spot how many times did you see Casey Hampton or Shawn rogers come off the field after a few plays because they were to fat and couldn't breathe? We don't need that. Ratliff is fine where he is.

And how many times did you see Rogers or Hampton completely stop the run by clogging up the middle? How about on 3rd and 1, and 4th and 1? How many times did you see ILB make tackles for negative yards? One yard? Two yards? All of that is attributed to those big guys at NT. They stop the guards from getting to the ILB's. They clog up the middle.

We may have a Pro Bowler there, but he should really be playing outside - where he was placed early in his career - DE. He played NT because Ferguson got hurt.

I'd take a Rogers. I'd really love a Hampton, though. I highly doubt this guy is our fix.

 

[pgreptom]

who doesn't think that the reason Tank made the final cut instead of Siavii was because of Jerry Jones?

I'd say Jones had a semi-decent hand in it.

However, Johnson was garbage, and I doubt this was a secret going into the season. Siavii wasn't even picked up last year, he could have only been but so good.

 

[Doomsday101]

And how many times did you see Rogers or Hampton completely stop the run by clogging up the middle? How about on 3rd and 1, and 4th and 1? How many times did you see ILB make tackles for negative yards? One yard? Two yards? All of that is attributed to those big guys at NT. They stop the guards from getting to the ILB's. They clog up the middle.

We may have a Pro Bowler there, but he should really be playing outside - where he was placed early in his career - DE. He played NT because Ferguson got hurt.

I'd take a Rogers. I'd really love a Hampton, though. I highly doubt this guy is our fix.

In the base defense and short yardage I agree but Hampton had 1 sack on the season Ratliff 7.5 I would not want to lose that after all the quickest rout to the QB is right up the middle and Ratliff gave teams fits up the middle in passing situations

 

[Beast_from_East]

Salvali freaking blows.

He is a warm body for camp so Rat doesnt get worn out.