DMN: Our NT Problem is addressed

[DA FAN]

Yeah, 320lbs. :laugh2:

Does that mean that I should try out? LOL

 

[pgreptom]

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

While I agree, I think you're missing something. Chris Canty had 3 sacks on the year, and Spears had 1. You may lose the "8" sacks from the NT position - but you are going to gain anywhere from 5-7 more from your end spot. Think about this, as well. Think about a big fat NT who pushes the pile, and then think about all the possibilities of blitzing James - stunts, delayed blitzes, etc. I think getting a huge NT would be more important for this defense than just about anything you could add. It gives you more productivity from the End position, gives you more of a pass rush when considering blitzing opportunities, also gives you more varieties with blitzing your ILB's (Like James), and think of the run stopping ability. Not only does a big NT help stop those 3rd + 2's, and 3rd + 1's, think of James being able to roam without being hit every play. Same for whoever replaces Thomas.

Bigger NT's are known to give centers problems, anywho.

They don't rack in a lot of sacks, but they almost always take up two blockers. Even on passing situations. If we get a big nose tackle in here to occupy two blockers on passing downs - you should be drooling.

 

[Doomsday101]

While I agree, I think you're missing something. Chris Canty had 3 sacks on the year, and Spears had 1. You may lose the "8" sacks from the NT position - but you are going to gain anywhere from 5-7 more from your end spot. Think about this, as well. Think about a big fat NT who pushes the pile, and then think about all the possibilities of blitzing James - stunts, delayed blitzes, etc. I think getting a huge NT would be more important for this defense than just about anything you could add. It gives you more productivity from the End position, gives you more of a pass rush when considering blitzing opportunities, also gives you more varieties with blitzing your ILB's (Like James), and think of the run stopping ability. Not only does a big NT help stop those 3rd + 2's, and 3rd + 1's, think of James being able to roam without being hit every play. Same for whoever replaces Thomas.

Bigger NT's are known to give centers problems, anywho.

They don't rack in a lot of sacks, but they almost always take up two blockers. Even on passing situations. If we get a big nose tackle in here to occupy two blockers on passing downs - you should be drooling.

Dallas has no problem getting the pressure from the outside moving Ratliff to the outside adds one more outside rusher but what he can do up the middle in my view is invaluable. If they want to move him outside in the base or in short yardage fine but on passing down if I have a guy who can get in the backfield quickly up the middle I'm not willing to sacrifice that.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I'm definitely in the "Jay Ratliff will be even better at DE" camp, but for those who oppose it.. It's not like he's only allowed to play DE from that point on. He'll move inside on passing downs and in any 4-man fronts. His strength is his versatility. I just think in our base 3-4 defense he will benefit from more one-on-one match ups and the fact that a speed pass-rusher (Ware, Ellis, or Spencer) will most likely be lined up to his immediate right or left. I also think our run defense and especially our inside linebackers, will benefit from a big, run-stuffing NT.

The best d-linemen will line up all over the place to:
1) take advantage of lesser offensive linemen.
2) create chaos for blocking assignments and gameplans
3) because they can

Just my take.