I have no problems moving him there when we go to 4 down linemen.
My problem is this. Since Ferguson has left, and let me say, I base things on what I see, I rarely go look up stats. Most of Emmitt's final stats were trash stats.
Anyways, what I've seen is this. Ratliff starts out strong in the run department. As the year goes on, he starts to wear down. Now when it's time to get after the QB, he's a demon. But having someone that's big, strong, we need that guy taking up 2 blockers.
Meanwhile, Ratliff can fight off 1 blocker mostly, turn this front line into a monster-like unit.
It's just my opinion though as always.