Is Ratliff done?

[jnday]

Ratliff's production has declined the last couple of years , and I think it was a bad decision to resign him last year. I have always liked Ratliff, but with the recent news about his injury, I am starting to think his decline will be fast. I don't know what his contract numbers are, but I don't see his production matching his pay. I don't blame the guy for wearing out. IMO he has played out of position due to his size and the years of double-teams has shortened his career. He has been a liability late in games for the last couple of years. Do you guys think his days are about over? How much dead money will the Cowboys have against the cap if he is cut in the next year or two?

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

No. And No.

 

[Idgit]

Ratliff's production has declined the last couple of years , and I think it was a bad decision to resign him last year. I have always liked Ratliff, but with the recent news about his injury, I am starting to think his decline will be fast. I don't know what his contract numbers are, but I don't see his production matching his pay. I don't blame the guy for wearing out. IMO he has played out of position due to his size and the years of double-teams has shortened his career. He has been a liability late in games for the last couple of years. Do you guys think his days are about over? How much dead money will the Cowboys have against the cap if he is cut in the next year or two?

Don't forget to open this same thread about Jason Witten when you can find some time. His time in the barrel is overdue, and I've heard from reliable sources that you can just use your eyes to see his blocking has really dropped off.

 

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

No. Not even close. He's not what he used to be, but he's still a servicable player.

 

[dallasfan4lizife]

Ya he's done. Injuries and age

 

[jnday]

Don't forget to open this same thread about Jason Witten when you can find some time. His time in the barrel is overdue, and I've heard from reliable sources that you can just use your eyes to see his blocking has really dropped off.

I don't think Witten has the physical problems from the pounding that Ratliff has got. I think he has lost a step, but I don't see the drop off like I see in Ratliff. Ratliff has declined to the point that single linemen are pushing him back a couple of yards and he is not able to hold the POA.

 

[jnday]

No. And No.

You don't see any decline?

 

[Idgit]

I don't think Witten has the physical problems from the pounding that Ratliff has got. I think he has lost a step, but I don't see the drop off like I see in Ratliff. Ratliff has declined to the point that single linemen are pushing him back a couple of yards and he is not able to hold the POA.

I think, to be safe, it's probably safe if we just turn on them both. It's not like either of them are going to get any younger, or better.

 

[Lonestar94]

I think hes done getting full snaps. He should play only on 3rd down now, or move him to DE.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Do you guys think his days are about over?

Depends what you defination of about is. Two or three more years is kind of what I am thinking.

 

[Jay]

I don't know what his contract numbers are, but I don't see his production matching his pay.

Uhhh.. What?

 

[jnday]

I think, to be safe, it's probably safe if we just turn on them both. It's not like either of them are going to get any younger, or better.

Where have I turned on either of them? Discussion about Ratliff's decline is not bashing him in any way. If I said something disrespectfull about Ratliff, you could have a point. I didn't, so your assumption is wrong. Some of the homer attitudes have got really defensive as of late.

 

[jnday]

Depends what you defination of about is. Two or three more years is kind of what I am thinking.

I was thinking two or three more years if they find a way to rest him more.

 

[Idgit]

Where have I turned on either of them? Discussion about Ratliff's decline is not bashing him in any way. If I said something disrespectfull about Ratliff, you could have a point. I didn't, so your assumption is wrong. Some of the homer attitudes have got really defensive as of late.

The title and intent of your post directly asks if our best D-lineman is 'done.' That's not the same thing as a discussion about the decline in his play, which is, of course, an appropriate topic for discussion.

And I'm not defensive in the slightest. I just think the race to declare good Cowboys prematurely 'done' is pointless and silly. There's nothing there to be defensive about.

 

[jnday]

The title and intent of your post directly asks if our best D-lineman is 'done.' That's not the same thing as a discussion about the decline in his play, which is, of course, an appropriate topic for discussion.

And I'm not defensive in the slightest. I just think the race to declare good Cowboys prematurely 'done' is pointless and silly. There's nothing there to be defensive about.

It is a valid question to ask. Ratliff may be done as the player he was a couple of years ago. There is no race to have him gone. He could very easily play two more productive years, or this could be his last due to injuries. He could be done as the best dlineman on the team. These unknowns create a topic for discussion.

 

[johnny utah]

Rat is not done but he is on the down side of his carrer.

 

[Idgit]

It is a valid question to ask. Ratliff may be done as the player he was a couple of years ago. There is no race to have him gone. He could very easily play two more productive years, or this could be his last due to injuries. He could be done as the best dlineman on the team. These unknowns create a topic for discussion.

Ah. So 'is Ratliff done?' actually didn't mean 'done.' It meant 'is he not, you know, done, but is he getting worse relative to his former level of play or relative to the level of competition?'. Got it.

The answer to that is 'yes.'

 

[jnday]

Ah. So 'is Ratliff done?' actually didn't mean 'done.' It meant 'is he not, you know, done, but is he getting worse relative to his former level of play or relative to the level of competition?'. Got it.

The answer to that is 'yes.'

That's it. I don't think he is washed up yet, but I don't think he will be the force in the middle that he once was. His career could be productive and last longer if Brent, or one of the other guys would step up and limit his snaps. Actually he should have been rested more the last couple of years.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I was thinking two or three more years if they find a way to rest him more.

Brent will make a big impact on the number of snaps Rat plays.

 

[tunahelper]

He very well could be declining. Only time will tell, but his production certainly is declining.