Is Ratliff turning into a playmaker for us?

[LarryCanadian]

In from what I can tell is limited playing time (Is he playing both DT and DE or just getting 1/3 or so defensive snaps spelling DE's?) he seems to be around the ball A BUNCH. Spears and Canty and Ferguson are playing the run very well to this point, but Ratliff seemst to get in the QB's face quite a bit. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts to steal some playing time from others.

And was I correct when listening to a press conference that Ratliff is playing the wedge well on special teams?

Nice player. Can play DE, DT, and special teams. Only in 2nd year. Not being paid a ton. These guys can help you get over the hump.

LarryCanadian

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

For the most part he seems to do the best he can with the limited time he gets.

Not sure if he would be someone who would be great as a full time starter but for the most part you gotta love what he gives you in his limited playing time.

 

[Stautner]

In from what I can tell is limited playing time (Is he playing both DT and DE or just getting 1/3 or so defensive snaps spelling DE's?) he seems to be around the ball A BUNCH. Spears and Canty and Ferguson are playing the run very well to this point, but Ratliff seemst to get in the QB's face quite a bit. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts to steal some playing time from others.

And was I correct when listening to a press conference that Ratliff is playing the wedge well on special teams?

Nice player. Can play DE, DT, and special teams. Only in 2nd year. Not being paid a ton. These guys can help you get over the hump.

LarryCanadian

He is making some plays, but we need to be realistic about him too. Much of Ratliff's playing time is in passing situations where he doesn't have to show restraint - he is being put in specifically to attack, and therefore is playing in situations that lend themselves to "making plays".

 

[dallasfan31]

he is he playing real well.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Yes....I really believe he is.....I want to see him get more plays in the games

 

[CowboyChris]

i thought Ratliff and Hatcher have been playing excellent. almost about ready to start pushing for starting roles.

 

[CowboyManDan]

Much of Ratliff's playing time is in passing situations where he doesn't have to show restraint - he is being put in specifically to attack, and therefore is playing in situations that lend themselves to "making plays".

Exactly, I was just going to say the same thing

I do think Canty and Spears need to improve or Ratliff is going to catch up, but Ratliff is playing nickel situations that allow him to attack like you said.

I DO want to see Canty and/or Spears do more though.

 

[JFlgn]

we'll see more ratliff in the next few weeks since Hatcher is hurt

 

[Stautner]

Exactly, I was just going to say the same thing

I do think Canty and Spears need to improve or Ratliff is going to catch up, but Ratliff is playing nickel situations that allow him to attack like you said.

I DO want to see Canty and/or Spears do more though.

I will agree with this - if nothing else Ratliff has proven that he belongs in the mix, and who knows, his upside may be as good or better.

Does anyone recall that at one point Ratliff ran a 4.85 40 .....? That's incredible for a guy that size.

 

[conner01]

there is a huge difference in the nickle, than on regular downs where you have to play the run. he is doinggreat but i think he is where he needs to be. that way he is frsh to rush the passer.he is quick, and strong but i don't know if run stopping is the best place for him.if it ain't broke don't fix it

 

[ZeroClub]

All I see is what they show on TV, but Ratliff sure seems to be making the most of his playing time.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I'll tell you what, Ratliff played in the SEC so you know the guy could play some football! If you look throughout the NFL the SEC is well represented...

 

[Boy's fan in Giant land]

He is making some plays, but we need to be realistic about him too. Much of Ratliff's playing time is in passing situations where he doesn't have to show restraint - he is being put in specifically to attack, and therefore is playing in situations that lend themselves to "making plays".

My question is why Ellis, Roy, Ware, Brady, & co. are kept on a leash when it comes to attacking. We can, and should, be sending any one or more of 5 or 6 on full blitz from pretty much anywhere not only when the situation warrants it but on any down we think might catch an opponent by surprise. I know, you live and die by the blitz... IMHO, I feel letting the dogs loose on a regular basis would put us well in the plus collumn on turnovers by allowing our guys to play to their potential - all defenses want to attack. My God, with the talent/speed we've got we could do so much better if we'd only put this bend but not break crap on the back burner and make other teams fear Doomsday once again. Sorry, had to vent.

The Rat is looking very impressive in limited duty.

 

[Clove]

My question is why Ellis, Roy, Ware, Brady, & co. are kept on a leash when it comes to attacking. We can, and should, be sending any one or more of 5 or 6 on full blitz from pretty much anywhere not only when the situation warrants it but on any down we think might catch an opponent by surprise. I know, you live and die by the blitz... IMHO, I feel letting the dogs loose on a regular basis would put us well in the plus collumn on turnovers by allowing our guys to play to their potential - all defenses want to attack. My God, with the talent/speed we've got we could do so much better if we'd only put this bend but not break crap on the back burner and make other teams fear Doomsday once again. Sorry, had to vent.

The Rat is looking very impressive in limited duty.

Only thing I can think of is obviously Parcells is content to let QBs try and beat our secondary.

We're not getting a ton of pressure on the QB, but we are completely shutting down teams running game and not blitzing. As long as our secondary doesn't give up first downs, Parcells will not blitz those guys.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

he was a great value in the 7th round

 

[Bob Sacamano]

He is making some plays, but we need to be realistic about him too. Much of Ratliff's playing time is in passing situations where he doesn't have to show restraint - he is being put in specifically to attack, and therefore is playing in situations that lend themselves to "making plays".

he's being put in the nickel at DE when we go to a 4-down line, I'm not sure he either if he would be showing this much explosiveness starting full-time, playing 3-4 DE, where the responsibilities are mostly to stay in your gap

 

[Bob Sacamano]

there is a huge difference in the nickle, than on regular downs where you have to play the run. he is doinggreat but i think he is where he needs to be. that way he is frsh to rush the passer.he is quick, and strong but i don't know if run stopping is the best place for him.if it ain't broke don't fix it

he's a 7th round selection, he may never be more than a rotational player

 

[Teague31]

Ratliff looks so good because by comparison Spears/Canty are giving us ZERO in terms of a pass rush.

 

[Stautner]

My question is why Ellis, Roy, Ware, Brady, & co. are kept on a leash when it comes to attacking. We can, and should, be sending any one or more of 5 or 6 on full blitz from pretty much anywhere not only when the situation warrants it but on any down we think might catch an opponent by surprise. I know, you live and die by the blitz... IMHO, I feel letting the dogs loose on a regular basis would put us well in the plus collumn on turnovers by allowing our guys to play to their potential - all defenses want to attack. My God, with the talent/speed we've got we could do so much better if we'd only put this bend but not break crap on the back burner and make other teams fear Doomsday once again. Sorry, had to vent.

The Rat is looking very impressive in limited duty.

The first, obvious answer is that you are exposed to big plays when you blitz.

The second answer that most refuse to see is that our pass rushing talent is not a strong as people want to believe.

Case in point: Against Houston we played it safe, as we should have, because we knew Houston could only win with big plays. So we limited our pass rush to 4 players most of the time, ocassionally 5. The result was that we never got any pressure on the QB.

The point is that if we can't at least ocassionally get pressure, hit the QB, or get a sack with 4 pass rushers, then we still have personnel issues. We even ran more stunts than usual and got no results.

Quality pass rushing starts with quality pass rushers, and if our pass rushers can't ocassionally beat someone one on one then we have problems.

People have ASSUMED we have the players to have a dominant pass rush, and the reality is that Ware is really the only upgrade in that departent we have acquired in the last few years - and he is FAR from consistent.

Blitzing can help, but blitzing is meant to supplement the pass rush, not be the ONLY source of it.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

For the most part he seems to do the best he can with the limited time he gets.

Not sure if he would be someone who would be great as a full time starter but for the most part you gotta love what he gives you in his limited playing time.

Right. Can you say Jimmie Jones?

Jimmie Jones was a great role player on the Dallas D in the early 90s but was an averge player as a starter when he moved on in FA to the Rams.

"Rat" should stick to what he does best and that's get after the QB on passing downs. Maybe, in the near future, he can develop into a quality NT.