Jay Ratliff

[DallasDW00ds0n]

I'm done with this guy. Frustrated and he's not a top 10 DT in the league. What is your opinion on Jay?

 

[Lodeus]

Shame injuries got the best of him.

 

[Shinywalrus]

Can't predict injuries like that. Those who are retroactively criticizing the contract are just responding to hindsight bias, in most cases. When Rat played, he had some terrific flashes. A healthy Ratliff is one of our best defenders - not seeing him on the field for a while just makes us forget.

That said, if we expect the injuries to be recurring or if we think there's a cultural problem, both of those considerations add a completely new dimension.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

My opinion is that they currently have no viable replacement, so they will need to find one before just letting him go.

 

[Lodeus]

My opinion is that they currently have no viable replacement, so they will need to find one before just letting him go.

People here just think you draft a guy and you're good to go.

 

[jnday]

Can't predict injuries like that. Those who are retroactively criticizing the contract are just responding to hindsight bias, in most cases. When Rat played, he had some terrific flashes. A healthy Ratliff is one of our best defenders - not seeing him on the field for a while just makes us forget.

That said, if we expect the injuries to be recurring or if we think there's a cultural problem, both of those considerations add a completely new dimension.

I thought Jerry has lost his damn mind when he gave him the extension. It is bad business to extend a lineman that is already in decline. Jerry keeps the team in cap hell with these moves.

As for Ratliff, he is done. Playing NT at his weight has shortened his career. He has nothing but a shell of his former self for three seasons. His attitude puts him in a position where he needs to go.

 

[pancakeman]

Can't predict injuries like that. Those who are retroactively criticizing the contract are just responding to hindsight bias, in most cases. When Rat played, he had some terrific flashes. A healthy Ratliff is one of our best defenders - not seeing him on the field for a while just makes us forget.

That said, if we expect the injuries to be recurring or if we think there's a cultural problem, both of those considerations add a completely new dimension.

What he said.

 

[Shinywalrus]

I thought Jerry has lost his damn mind when he gave him the extension. It is bad business to extend a lineman that is already in decline. Jerry keeps the team in cap hell with these moves.

As for Ratliff, he is done. Playing NT at his weight has shortened his career. He has nothing but a shell of his former self for three seasons. His attitude puts him in a position where he needs to go.

I don't remember you posting that specifically at the time and can't find the record of it searching - perhaps the search engine or I are just not finding it - although in fairness you were very critical of Ratliff before his excellent 2011 season.

There's just too much Madden going on around here. Sometimes you have to pay players who aren't 25-year old 320 lb. Wunderkinder running 4.5 40-yard dashes with 15 years in the league ahead of them. If we had Rat's 2011 or even 2010 production this season, we would have been pleased.

 

[jnday]

I don't remember you posting that specifically at the time and can't find the record of it searching - perhaps the search engine or I are just not finding it - although in fairness you were very critical of Ratliff before his excellent 2011 season.

There's just too much Madden going on around here. Sometimes you have to pay players who aren't 25-year old 320 lb. Wunderkinder running 4.5 40-yard dashes with 15 years in the league ahead of them. If we had Rat's 2011 or even 2010 production this season, we would have been pleased.

I don't think Ratliff has had a decent season since 2009 IIRC. It got to a point that he was being pushed five yards downfield without being double-teamed. He would flash a great play or two during a game, but he could no longer hold his position at the LOS.
Jerry has given extensions to many of the older players and it has killed the salary cap year after year. With the exception of Witten, these extensions have hurt the team. I don't want Spencer resigned because of his age and previous production. This is a young mans game. There are a few exceptions, but thirty is getting old for most positions.

 

[xwalker]

Why do they have Ratliff on the field in Training Camp. Does he need to "learn" how to play. They need to develop a offseason program for him to be 100% healthy for game-1 of 2013.

Then during the season they should limit his snaps to 50%.

 

[visionary]

the Rat issue is a big question mark but an interesting issue nevertheless

why does everyone assume that the altercation between him and jerry means he cant come back

i have always viewed Rat as one of the hard workers and "come to play" players on the team

does anyone really know what really happened that day?

what if they learned he has a sports hernia and he wanted to wait and see if he could recover and play and jerry wanted him to have surgery and he got upset?

i would like to bring him back if he is healthy and if he did not do anything eggregious

we need more leaders on this team and he is one of them IMO

just my take

 

[jnday]

the Rat issue is a big question mark but an interesting issue nevertheless

why does everyone assume that the altercation between him and jerry means he cant come back

i have always viewed Rat as one of the hard workers and "come to play" players on the team

does anyone really know what really happened that day?

what if they learned he has a sports hernia and he wanted to wait and see if he could recover and play and jerry wanted him to have surgery and he got upset?

i would like to bring him back if he is healthy and if he did not do anything eggregious

we need more leaders on this team and he is one of them IMO

just my take

His reported refusal to play DE doesn't help in his return.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

the Rat issue is a big question mark but an interesting issue nevertheless

why does everyone assume that the altercation between him and jerry means he cant come back

i have always viewed Rat as one of the hard workers and "come to play" players on the team

does anyone really know what really happened that day?

what if they learned he has a sports hernia and he wanted to wait and see if he could recover and play and jerry wanted him to have surgery and he got upset?

i would like to bring him back if he is healthy and if he did not do anything eggregious

we need more leaders on this team and he is one of them IMO

just my take

Totally agree.

Most observers think what happened that day is that Jerry was either prodding Jay to play and suggested he wasn't really that hurt (like he did with Barber a few years ago) or that he said something more innocent and Jay took it wrong. He's known to be a Jekyll and Hyde type who on his bad days has a short fuse.

But a ton of good football players are like that, especially on defense at the physical positions. I think any of us who played at any level know that. Charles Haley was exactly that way. You have to be half crazy to be really good at the more physical positions in this game.

Anyway, for the last several years Jay has undoubtedly played with tons of heart and effort, probably as much or more than anyone else on the team. I still think most who trash him are those in love with the 350 lb huge fat NT, people who can't stand that he doesn't fit their picture of the nosetackle they want. Therefore, he's a no-good bum. (Even though some of these same people praise a *****cat like Spears, a total JAG whose best quality is that he's learned to give the proper soundbites to the media.)

It's stupid, but that's the way it is.

 

[LatinMind]

I thought Jerry has lost his damn mind when he gave him the extension. It is bad business to extend a lineman that is already in decline. Jerry keeps the team in cap hell with these moves.

As for Ratliff, he is done. Playing NT at his weight has shortened his career. He has nothing but a shell of his former self for three seasons. His attitude puts him in a position where he needs to go.

To be honest Ratliff wasnt in decline when he gave him the contract. The guy was doing great. And its not some much he's in decline. Hes just injured. When he's in there he's a beast. Thats the issue is "when he's in there"

Thats what i dont get about this forum. You guys keep saying Austin and Ratliff are in decline. Theyre produce very well when they're healthy. the problem is, is when they are healthy.

 

[Supercowboy1986]

To be honest Ratliff wasnt in decline when he gave him the contract. The guy was doing great. And its not some much he's in decline. Hes just injured. When he's in there he's a beast. Thats the issue is "when he's in there"

Thats what i dont get about this forum. You guys keep saying Austin and Ratliff are in decline. Theyre produce very well when they're healthy. the problem is, is when they are healthy.

this. i think most people on this board get "injured" and "decline" confused. Or maybe when they say "decline" they are referring to said player's ability to stay healthy?

 

[jnday]

To be honest Ratliff wasnt in decline when he gave him the contract. The guy was doing great. And its not some much he's in decline. Hes just injured. When he's in there he's a beast. Thats the issue is "when he's in there"

Thats what i dont get about this forum. You guys keep saying Austin and Ratliff are in decline. Theyre produce very well when they're healthy. the problem is, is when they are healthy.

Ratliff had started having trouble holding his position at the LOS before the extension. That is the part of the game that is most vital for a NT. He should have been moved to DE. As for the injuries, players are worthless sitting on the bench. Their decline can be measured in many ways. Not being healthy enough to stay on the field is one of them. There is no need to keep paying a guy big money if he can't play. It is bad business to spend money and get little return.

 

[Zordon]

Totally agree.

Most observers think what happened that day is that Jerry was either prodding Jay to play and suggested he wasn't really that hurt (like he did with Barber a few years ago) or that he said something more innocent and Jay took it wrong. He's known to be a Jekyll and Hyde type who on his bad days has a short fuse.

But a ton of good football players are like that, especially on defense at the physical positions. I think any of us who played at any level know that. Charles Haley was exactly that way. You have to be half crazy to be really good at the more physical positions in this game.

Anyway, for the last several years Jay has undoubtedly played with tons of heart and effort, probably as much or more than anyone else on the team. I still think most who trash him are those in love with the 350 lb huge fat NT, people who can't stand that he doesn't fit their picture of the nosetackle they want. Therefore, he's a no-good bum. (Even though some of these same people praise a *****cat like Spears, a total JAG whose best quality is that he's learned to give the proper soundbites to the media.)

It's stupid, but that's the way it is.

100% agree. we need ratliff somewhere on that dline rotation. i would still like a nose tackle upgrade but with all the holes on this team and little cap space to spend, it would be asinine to give away ratliff/brent in the same offseason with mainly JAG level dlinemen remaining. they need to get in a room and resolve their issues.

 

[LatinMind]

this. i think most people on this board get "injured" and "decline" confused. Or maybe when they say "decline" they are referring to said player's ability to stay healthy?

Austin sweats very much. The guy is always sweaty. And he dehydrates faster than most. That has alot to do with his hamstring injuries. As anybody that is active or works out or knows about the body will tell you. That cant be helped its going to happen. The guy is so strong and uses so much force in his legs that its going to happen. But since 2009 Austin has 31 tds and Megatron has 38. The guy isnt in decline. Dez Bryant is just coming into his own.

Jay Ratliff is just a beast when he's playing. The problem with him is by the end of the yr he just gets worn down because of the posistion he plays. Dallas saw that and Brent started playing more. I think that got in Ratliff's head IMHO. This yr he was hurt. I dont want him in Dallas because of what media that see's him everyday at Valley Ranch are saying. That he distancing himself from the team.

 

[jaybird]

I'm done with this guy. Frustrated and he's not a top 10 DT in the league. What is your opinion on Jay?

Why are you upset with Jay? When Jays Healthy, he's a beast and a 100% effort guy. I'm upset that his torn groin wasnt diagnose earlier. He could of Help us F up A Morris and RG3 if he had his surgery earlier. JJ and the staff assumed his injury wasnt that Bad. ***./.....

Jay a true warrior, dont get it.. He made be getting too old, and can not stay healthy, but hes the type of personality this team needs.

 

[LatinMind]

Ratliff had started having trouble holding his position at the LOS before the extension. That is the part of the game that is most vital for a NT. He should have been moved to DE. As for the injuries, players are worthless sitting on the bench. Their decline can be measured in many ways. Not being healthy enough to stay on the field is one of them. There is no need to keep paying a guy big money if he can't play. It is bad business to spend money and get little return.

AS i said at the end of the yr he had trouble holding the LOS. But thats why Dallas went out and devloped Brent to keep Ratliff from wearing himself out during the later part of the yr. Ratliff wore down every yr that he's played in the nfl. Because of his size not because of decline. Its just this yr we didnt get to see that because he spent the yr injured. Not because he declined