Leon Lett or Jay Ratliff?

[jobberone]

Leon Lett was more talented off drugs. He only had one year after that off drugs that was decent. He never came close to his old self. Lett was better than Ratliff IMO but they are two different players. You have to take into account what Lett did to himself though so overall Ratliff is the better football player and clearly better than Lett after the first few years.

And neither player is a pimple on the *** of either Randy White or Bob Lilly comparing DTs to DTs. Hell Jethro Pugh was probably better than either one.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Big Cats eats Rats

 

[montgod]

I would have to agree with what a lot of you have already said...

Lett was very talented player but could never put it all together like so many that have played on the NFL level. I loved the guy on the Cowboys, however, he wasn't the brightest player (i.e. the Miami-Thanksgiving snow game) compared to Ratliff.

I would actually compare Leon moreso to Canty since they were both big, tall, rangy type players with similar roles. Canty doesn't come close to how talented Leon Lett was, but I see Ratliff as a different player than Leon Lett was. Jimmie Jones or Casillas might be better comparisons.

 

[tunahelper]

Lett could penetrate very well I wonder if some of his play was due to lining up next to Haley? Also I think 3 sacks was his best season.

I would take Ratliff easy. You put him in 4-3, under tackle spot next to Haley it would not be a discussion.

 

[SDogo]

Rat but let me tell you, Lett had a spell where he may of been the best defensive player on the field through out the whole league. I remember a stretch where the man was completely unblockable and unstoppable. It's a truly a shame he never lived up to his potential.

 

[jaybird]

The leadership, the intensity, the maturity-- Ratliff hands down

 

[FLcowboy]

I've always been a little disappointed that Leon Lett's drug issues never allowed him to maximize his potential.

Just comparing ability, you couldn't go wrong with either, but I just love the intensity Jay Ratliff brings to the party.

I'm a Ratter.

 

[The Realist]

You must have a lousy memory. He was better than them on his worst day.

http://img21.*************/img21/8186/bigcatl.jpg

Clearly, I know he was far better than them.

I'm just saying people remember him being better than he actually was.

People make him sound like he was Glover or Sapp and he wasn't anywhere close to as good as them.

 

[Doomsday101]

Of course we all know and understand the drug problems and suspensions that Lett went thru that ultimately got him escourted out the league BUT he was still one of the best and most dominate d-tackles to come thru Dallas during his prime years. He too was a late round pick (out of Emporia State).

Jay is from Auburn but he was a late round pick and is playing at an All-Pro Level. Just like Lett, he is unblockable right now and is a monster on pass rush while playing tackle.

Lett or Ratliff?

Easy Ratliff. Both played the game great but Ratliff but you can depend on him you never knew when the next suspention was going to hit Lett.

 

[Biggems]

Clearly, I know he was far better than them.

I'm just saying people remember him being better than he actually was.

People make him sound like he was Glover or Sapp and he wasn't anywhere close to as good as them.

Lett was one of the most disruptive DL of his era. His biggest issue was trying to overcome his immaturity. If he could have, he would have been unstoppable. Even with is flaws, he was still a beast.

However, because of his maturity, leadership, level-headed nature, and intelligence....I have to go with Ratliff.

 

[Big Dakota]

Leon COULD have been the better guy had he not had issues but knowing what i know now about both guys i'd take Rat 100 times out of 100.

 

[Doomsday101]

Lett was one of the most disruptive DL of his era. His biggest issue was trying to overcome his immaturity. If he could have, he would have been unstoppable. Even with is flaws, he was still a beast.

However, because of his maturity, leadership, level-headed nature, and intelligence....I have to go with Ratliff.

I agree. I think Lett was one of the biggest waste of talents in the NFL. The man could play the game, he got off the ball like a shot from a gun but instead he wasted his career away with suspension after suspension.

 

[Big Dakota]

Leon should have sought help, instead he self medicated.

 

[Bleu Star]

Of course we all know and understand the drug problems and suspensions that Lett went thru that ultimately got him escourted out the league BUT he was still one of the best and most dominate d-tackles to come thru Dallas during his prime years. He too was a late round pick (out of Emporia State).

Jay is from Auburn but he was a late round pick and is playing at an All-Pro Level. Just like Lett, he is unblockable right now and is a monster on pass rush while playing tackle.

Lett or Ratliff?

There's no doubt in my mind on this one. Big Cat gets my vote. I used to just marvel at some of the things that guy did. He was so disruptive on every freaking play and virtually unblockable. Rt is getting there but the sample pool is too small to begin making comparisons to Big Cat. I also look at some of the things that have stayed in my mind over the years and Lett has managed to keep his accomplishments at the periphery of thought. Many good... Some memorable in a negative way...lol I can remember like it was yesterday, the fumble recovery by Lett in the SB against the Bills where he just knew he had a first class ticket to the end zone only to have Don Beebe slap the ball from his hand before he reached the end zone resulting in a touchback. The blunder was a result of Lett attempting to celebrate ala Michael Irvin by showing the ball before he crossed the finish line. I remember my heart sinking at that very moment. The topper though was Thanksgiving Day in 1993 against the Dolphins. I'm sure everyone remembers the snow classic in Big D. His blunder on that day really cost us the game against the Dolphins. His slide into a ball that didn't need to be touched after a blocked Miami 40+ yard FG try resulted in a muff by Cat and Miami's recovery at our 1 yard line. I don't think I have ever been more fit to be tied than I was at that moment. A crucial deciding moment in the game marked by a lack of pre-snap analytics... That all said, I really loved watching Cat play and can only hope Rat will live up to the quality of play Cat gave us over the course of a very solid career.

 

[The Realist]

Not that stats are the only thing.........

But.....

Glover 83 sacks

Sapp 96 sacks

Lett 22

Interesting definition of UNSTOPPABLE.

 

[tunahelper]

Not that stats are the only thing.........

But.....

Glover 83 sacks

Sapp 96 sacks

Lett 22

Interesting definition of UNSTOPPABLE.

Lett games started 73 & 22 sacks
Sapp games started 188 96 sacks
Glover games started 167 & 83 sacks
Ratliff games started 31 & 19.5 sacks

 

[The Realist]

Lett games started 73 & 22 sacks
Sapp games started 188 96 sacks
Glover games started 167 & 83 sacks
Ratliff games started 31 & 19.5 sacks

Thank you...........

3 guys on that list closely resemble the moniker Unstoppable.

If Rat continues at this pace forgetaboutit.

 

[Doomsay]

Lett may not have amassed the sacks stats, but but he was one of the most disruptive players I've ever seen. What a waste, better than Rat at his prime, but Jay is probably a better long-term bet, if his modest size for a NT doesn't get him too beaten up.

 

[sjordan6]

I think whats makes this such a good argument is that we all know how dominate Lett was in his prime. Hell, we have to also take in consideration WHO Lett was playing with during those times. After the 1996 season (last playoff win) the Cowboys went all the way down and Lett was one of the few bright spots on defense. Lett didnt have a DWARE or a even a top defense around him.

Letts stats really dont compare to Ratliff stats because of the suspensions and missed games. Surely he would have made more Pro-Bowls but I think the argument should focus on the player and the nature of his play.

Ratliff is truly unblockable right now and Ware/Phillips 3-4 defense allows him to make plays because of the team and scheme he plays in.

But Lett was a dominating player for about four season ( 92,93,94 (PRO BOwl) and 98 (Pro-Bowl). THe other seasons were diluted in drugs suspensions.

Ratliff is working on his second dominating season and he is in his fifth season.

I guess the question should be WHO WAS MORE DOMINATE?

LETT!!!

 

[Doomsday101]

I think whats makes this such a good argument is that we all know how dominate Lett was in his prime. Hell, we have to also take in consideration WHO Lett was playing with during those times. After the 1996 season (last playoff win) the Cowboys went all the way down and Lett was one of the few bright spots on defense. Lett didnt have a DWARE or a even a top defense around him.

Letts stats really dont compare to Ratliff stats because of the suspensions and missed games. Surely he would have made more Pro-Bowls but I think the argument should focus on the player and the nature of his play.

Ratliff is truly unblockable right now and Ware/Phillips 3-4 defense allows him to make plays because of the team and scheme he plays in.

But Lett was a dominating player for about four season ( 92,93,94 (PRO BOwl) and 98 (Pro-Bowl). THe other seasons were diluted in drugs suspensions.

Ratliff is working on his second dominating season and he is in his fifth season.

I guess the question should be WHO WAS MORE DOMINATE?

LETT!!!

Maybe, then again Lett career is over and Rats is just beginning