Jamal Williams anyone??

[Yeagermeister]

With his recent injury history if he is signed he should be a backup not a starter.

 

[Alexander]

Jamal Williams becomes available, then we should go get him and from what I am hearing from Jerry about our changes this may already be an idea in the mix.

There will be competition. Since Hampton and Wilfork were taken off the market and several teams in need of a starting nose tackle, I am fairly certain Williams will have more suitors than the Cowboys if he hits the market. I am not willing to overpay, even in an uncapped environment, for a player who might have a couple of years, at best, left in him.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Earlier on ESPN Adam Sheftner was talking about potential big name cuts. He mentioned San Diego cutting Jamal Williams. I know he missed most of last year with a torn biceps, but I think as a back-up to Ratliff, he would thrive. Wade of course knows him and Igor being here doesn't hurt.

Will be interesting come Friday on what big names are cut.

nopw that would be an awsome signing. how much would he want?

 

[speedkilz88]

Why doesn't anyone notice when Rat is asked if he'd move to DE he always says he'd rather not? Do you think that's because he knows he'd get more sacks from the end position, and he'd just rather keep his sack numbers around 7 a year? Come on, watch us play - in Wade's defense the pass rushers are the OLBs and the NT. The ends control their space. Wade knows that a big body isn't getting there most times from the C gap. That's why our most athletic lineman is our NT. And it's gonna stay that way.

I agree with posters above that feel we can find a backup in the 3rd or 4th round of the draft. Just say no to Cody. Showing up in shape meant a large amount of money to the young man, and he couldn't do it. That lack of dedication should raise anyone's eyebrows.

He keeps getting voted to the pro bowl as a NT, if he moves to DE he won't be anymore.

 

[Hook'em#11]

No, no, and no,

Get younger at the position, not older. Guy is 33 yrs old.

Go out and find a young fat strong guy to play NT.

 

[zrinkill]

I don't believe he'd be a backup. If Spears is not brought back, then you move Ratliff to DE, and Williams is the starter there at NT. And yes, I know the argument people will have about moving a probowler from one position to another. Since DE was Ratliff's position when he arrived here, I reckon he could return to that spot.

He also never got on the field at that spot.

He was moved for a reason.

He is a probowl NT
Was a 3rd string DE.

 

[CowboyMike]

I don't get it! I just don't get it! When will people get it through their skulls that Ratliff is not going to be a DE! Remember he was so so as a DE and they moved him to NT and he thrived?

A DE in our 3-4 system is a space eater and run stopper. That is something Spears and Igor thrive at. Ratliff is successful because he has the ability to penetrate against slower guards and centers. Going up against a tackle as a DE, he would most likely have that negated.

Really people, when are you going to realize that DEs in our system are not meant to penetrate, but rather take up space and free up our actual pass rushers. Do you think Ratliff would be effective as Spencer's blocker? I think not.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I don't get it! I just don't get it! When will people get it through their skulls that Ratliff is not going to be a DE! Remember he was so so as a DE and they moved him to NT and he thrived?

A DE in our 3-4 system is a space eater and run stopper. That is something Spears and Igor thrive at. Ratliff is successful because he has the ability to penetrate against slower guards and centers. Going up against a tackle as a DE, he would most likely have that negated.

Really people, when are you going to realize that DEs in our system are not meant to penetrate, but rather take up space and free up our actual pass rushers. Do you think Ratliff would be effective as Spencer's blocker? I think not.

And he'd lose his biggest advantage....his speed....when going up against a tackle

 

[CowboyMike]

You are correct, good sir!

 

[Cowboys22]

I don't get it! I just don't get it! When will people get it through their skulls that Ratliff is not going to be a DE! Remember he was so so as a DE and they moved him to NT and he thrived?

A DE in our 3-4 system is a space eater and run stopper. That is something Spears and Igor thrive at. Ratliff is successful because he has the ability to penetrate against slower guards and centers. Going up against a tackle as a DE, he would most likely have that negated.

Really people, when are you going to realize that DEs in our system are not meant to penetrate, but rather take up space and free up our actual pass rushers. Do you think Ratliff would be effective as Spencer's blocker? I think not.

What I don't get is the fact that some are blind to the fact that Ratliff takes a beating and we have seen the middle open up time and time again as the game goes on. Most people are not saying to move him to DE full time. I would like to see him moved around to take advantage of matchups. I would love to see him at DE with Ware next to him for 20-25 snaps a game. He could still play inside half the time but not necessarily on first down or short yardage where he can be a liability against double teams. I simply want a massive true 3-4 DT to take the beating and allow Ratliff to stay fresh and move around to create mismatches. I don't see why thats too hard to understand and why some can't grasp that it would be a very good thing.

 

[CowboyMike]

What I don't get is the fact that some are blind to the fact that Ratliff takes a beating and we have seen the middle open up time and time again as the game goes on. Most people are not saying to move him to DE full time. I would like to see him moved around to take advantage of matchups.

There are no good matchup for him if he's lining up at DE and going against tackles. That's not his strength. His speed would be negated.

I would love to see him at DE with Ware next to him for 20-25 snaps a game.

Why? Do you realize that part of the great effectiveness that we have is Ware is due to Igor? When Ware gets a sack, thank Igor too. It's his responsibility to eat up blockers and free up Ware. Igor is Ware's "fullback", and Spears is Spencer's. Do you want Ratliff relegated to that? No.

He could still play inside half the time but not necessarily on first down or short yardage where he can be a liability against double teams.

Someone show me where Ratliff was a liability against the run. Really. I'd like to see it.

I simply want a massive true 3-4 DT to take the beating and allow Ratliff to stay fresh and move around to create mismatches. I don't see why thats too hard to understand and why some can't grasp that it would be a very good thing.

You don't seem to be able to grasp the concept of the Phillips 3-4. You are thinking of a traditional 'Parcells' type 3-4 where a NT is large and big and plays two gaps to free up the MLBs to make plays. In our scheme, Ratliff is only responsible for one gap, and so is every other lineback and d-lineman. The NT position in our defense is not supposed to eat space. It's supposed to penetrate and make plays. Ratliff is good because he is a mismatch in there. Put him up against a tackle where his strengths are equally matched, and you'll be complaining that he's lost a step.

 

[DeaconBlues]

Sir, I highly respect your posts, and what you offer this board, but as a grown man, I don't repeat after anyone!! I think Ratliff would be a very good DE. I don't expect you, or many others here to agree. But its my opinion. I am allowed that here...right?

Not a matter of your opinion. The coaches and Ratliff both say he's not moving.

 

[Cowboys22]

There are no good matchup for him if he's lining up at DE and going against tackles. That's not his strength. His speed would be negated.



Why? Do you realize that part of the great effectiveness that we have is Ware is due to Igor? When Ware gets a sack, thank Igor too. It's his responsibility to eat up blockers and free up Ware. Igor is Ware's "fullback", and Spears is Spencer's. Do you want Ratliff relegated to that? No.



Someone show me where Ratliff was a liability against the run. Really. I'd like to see it.



You don't seem to be able to grasp the concept of the Phillips 3-4. You are thinking of a traditional 'Parcells' type 3-4 where a NT is large and big and plays two gaps to free up the MLBs to make plays. In our scheme, Ratliff is only responsible for one gap, and so is every other lineback and d-lineman. The NT position in our defense is not supposed to eat space. It's supposed to penetrate and make plays. Ratliff is good because he is a mismatch in there. Put him up against a tackle where his strengths are equally matched, and you'll be complaining that he's lost a step.

So you don't think there are any tackles in the league that Ratliff can beat? Sorry, I do and when that matchup presents itself, I'd like to see him move out there in certain situations. You don't think Ware and Ratliff coming from the same side could simply overwhelm an OL? I do and would love to see it in certain situations during the game.

I didn't mean to give the impression I think Ratliff is a liability all the time but I see him getting double teamed as the game goes on and the middle opening up for the running game. It doesn't happen that much but it does happen and I can't help but think a big run stuffing DT to take some of the pounding would help Ratliff stay fresh and be even more effective.

I guess you missed the fact that Williams was drafted and used very effectively while Phillips was the DC at SD. He has always had massive run stuffing DTs in his 3-4. He simply didn't have anyone like that when he came to Dallas. They put Ratliff there and he had flourished no doubt. That doesn't mean Phillips couldn't and wouldn't use a DT like Williams and that having him wouldn't help Ratliff immensly. I'm sorry my opinion that Ratliff would be even more effective, possibly a double digit sack guy on a yearly basis, if he moved around a little during the game to take advantage of matchups and get away from double teams on occasion doesn't make sense to you but it make perfect sense to me and I'll just leave it at that.

 

[DasTex]

Is there any reason why Williams and Ratliff can't both play DT on occasion and run a hybrid 3/4 - 4/3?

 

[Alexander]

Is there any reason why Williams and Ratliff can't both play DT on occasion and run a hybrid 3/4 - 4/3?

Ask the Cardinals and Raiders how that hybrid 3/4-4/3 system has been working out for them.

Playing defense in a 3-4 is complex enough with the gap responsibilities let alone adding the degree of difficulty with switching between fronts constantly. Simple is better. One alignment the majority of the time is preferrable.

 

[DasTex]

Ask the Cardinals and Raiders how that hybrid 3/4-4/3 system has been working out for them.

Playing defense in a 3-4 is complex enough with the gap responsibilities let alone adding the degree of difficulty with switching between fronts constantly. Simple is better. One alignment the majority of the time is preferrable.

I'd like to think our personnel is more talented than the Raiders or Cardinals...

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Why do people want to tinker with the scheme all the time?

This system is proven and it's being run by the freaking inventor of the thing... Just let it work the way it is.

 

[Cover 2]

Why people want to move Ratliff

- He isn't great against the run
- He is a pass rusher, and could flourish in space
- Reduces amount of double teams

Why Ratliff wouldn't be as good at DE

-OT's generally are more athletic than interior linemen and have longer arms
-His quickness along with his body type are perfect for shooting gaps
-He's an unknown at DE, but an All-Pro at NT

 

[Rampage]

Why do people want to tinker with the scheme all the time?

This system is proven and it's being run by the freaking inventor of the thing... Just let it work the way it is.

what do you mean by that?

 

[Randy White]

Repeat after me...

"Ratliff is not going to move to DE."

Repeat after me....


" Ratliff is not going to move to DE."



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