Once Again: Ratliff

[TheCount]

I'm sure people are tired of discussing this, but it's something I've noticed all year... or at least I think I have, feel free to tell me differently... but.

To start games off, Ratliff always looks like an absolute monster. He's unblockable, surging through the middle and making offensive linemen look like they are standing still.

Then, somewhere around the end of the 2nd quarter or 3rd quarter, the pressure up the middle completely disappears. Dries up like an old well, and rarely makes another appearance for the rest of the game.

I don't even care about Ratliff's sack numbers, I never have, what I DO care about is the fact that he is clearly getting tired as the games go along and once he gets tired, pockets get a bit more comfortable for opposing QB's.

You're tired of hearing it and I'm tired of saying it, but we need to do something about this. I've given up on pretending I know the solution (whether it be a position move or bringing in another NT that can collapse the pocket) but we need to do SOMETHING.

It's simply physics, at under 290 lbs, you simply can't take on 600+ lbs for an entire game and not get worn out.

 

[Patton]

You've done it now, here comes the you're not a real fan, RATLIFF is a beast chorus...

 

[21Savage]

Just like the overtime sack he had in San Francisco right? After they'd try to run the ball for more than 60 minutes to no avail? That one?

This is totally unsubstantiated. He's had pressures in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter. Even overtime. And he'll continue to do so.

And he's pretty stout against the run btw, just in case you wanna jump in that argument.

 

[Risen Star]

I agree. He'll just become less and less effective at it as he ages. We really need a 320 lb. immovable mountain at NT. It'd take our defense up another level.

Not to mention that I think you'd improve Ratliff's play by moving him back to DE. So you improve two positions.

I have no idea why it seems we haven't even considered this move.

My offseason needs list....

1. C
2. G
3. OLB
4. NT

 

[Patton]

This team has to get better in the trenches period. Both sides of the ball.

 

[TheCount]

You've done it now, here comes the you're not a real fan, RATLIFF is a beast chorus...

I'm not saying he's not a beast, he performs for the entire game but the difference between the start of a game and the later parts of a game are noticeable.

He plays the run just fine the entire game, I'm talking primarily about pocket pressure.

 

[visionary]

get ready to duck

i have said it for a while, we need a true NT

there is no subsitute for pressure up the middle late in games

my off season needs list:

OC
NT
OG
OLB (if spencer leaves)
CB
Safety
another ILB

in that order

 

[Ren]

We need better DL across the board, Ratliff makes some plays but he's not consistently pushing the pocket, every once in a while he makes a play that makes your jaw drop, but he needs to be in a rotation where we can keep him fresh if we want to see more of this. Our DEs need to do a better job of this as well cause the only pass rush we have is what Ware does on his own.


Once Ratliff wears down in the 2nd half our DL is pretty crap, i blame Spencer though he's the root of all our problems this year, I'm sure he called that timeout too

 

[Dallas]

Why don't you just come out and say you think Ratliff stinks but only in the 2nd half.

It can't have anything to do w/ coaches adjusting and double teaming him. Plays happen and some plays don't happen. Funny how you expect a play on every play.

Can you imagine a sack on every play? Thats really what you are griping about.

Haters going to hate. Its all good.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Brent, his backup, was inactive. I'm sure he had to play more than usual.

 

[Risen Star]

This team has to get better in the trenches period. Both sides of the ball.

Yep. We have few difference makers along the lines. That has to change.

 

[anava]

Why don't you just come out and say you think Ratliff stinks but only in the 2nd half.

It can't have anything to do w/ coaches adjusting and double teaming him. Plays happen and some plays don't happen. Funny how you expect a play on every play.

Can you imagine a sack on every play? Thats really what you are griping about.

Haters going to hate. Its all good.

No but a little pressure would be nice. What is your explanation on why the defense takes a nose dive close to halftime? We get no pressure at the NT position later in the games and that is about the same time Ware disappears a starts running about 5 yards behind the QB because all he has to do is step up in the pocket.

 

[Future]

I thought this was going to be about the non-calls when he was getting held. I thought Brad Sham was going to cry every time it happened :laugh2:

 

[TheCount]

Why don't you just come out and say you think Ratliff stinks but only in the 2nd half.

It can't have anything to do w/ coaches adjusting and double teaming him. Plays happen and some plays don't happen. Funny how you expect a play on every play.

Can you imagine a sack on every play? Thats really what you are griping about.

Haters going to hate. Its all good.

Thanks for posting.

Brent, his backup, was inactive. I'm sure he had to play more than usual.

Noticed that, it's not the first time this year either so they must really feel he doesn't bring much to the defense.

 

[theogt]

I loved how people were complaining about the goal line TD run and how we needed a real NT when (1) Ratliff wasn't playing NT on that play and (2) he actually took on two blockers and *PUSHED THEM BOTH* on that play. People just see a run up the middle and assume Ratliff got pushed around.

 

[visionary]

Why don't you just come out and say you think Ratliff stinks but only in the 2nd half.

It can't have anything to do w/ coaches adjusting and double teaming him. Plays happen and some plays don't happen. Funny how you expect a play on every play.

Can you imagine a sack on every play? Thats really what you are griping about.

Haters going to hate. Its all good.

so youre saying that teams who play us dont realize ratliff is a player and needs to be accounted for

so he makes plays in the first half

then at half time someone says, "God, who is this 90 on the defense? he is killing us. Lets double him in the seciond half"

then rat gets doubled in the second half and cant make plays

OK
gotcha

is that more logical or that he is a smaller body than the traditional NT and wears down in the second half?

 

[TheCount]

I loved how people were complaining about the goal line TD run and how we needed a real NT when (1) Ratliff wasn't playing NT on that play and (2) he actually took on two blockers and *PUSHED THEM BOTH* on that play. People just see a run up the middle and assume Ratliff got pushed around.

Some of you are having a very hard time staying on topic, which I expected. I didn't say anything about him getting "pushed around". I am talking, specifically, about disrupting the pass pocket, up the middle, later in games.

 

[Dallas]

so youre saying that teams who play us dont realize ratliff is a player and needs to be accounted for

so he makes plays in the first half

then at half time someone says, "God, who is this 90 on the defense? he is killing us. Lets double him in the seciond half"

then rat gets doubled in the second half and cant make plays

OK
gotcha

is that more logical or that he is a smaller body than the traditional NT and wears down in the second half?

He was wrecking them in the 1st. Im pretty sure watching the game again last night that they accounted for him more often in the 2nd. Ware got hurt and was being taken off the field a lot more and yes, I think that aided them in accounting for Ratliff more often. I agree guys get gassed as the game goes on. I think he gets gassed when not getting off the filed and a backup in often enough for him.

Most people would in those situations.

 

[Dallas]

Some of you are having a very hard time staying on topic, which I expected. I didn't say anything about him getting "pushed around". I am talking, specifically, about disrupting the pass pocket, up the middle, later in games.

Thats because your so smart and we're so dumb. Props to us for trying?

 

[TheCount]

Thats because your so smart and we're so dumb. Props to us for trying?

Do you need a hug or something? Good grief. You're more passive aggressive than my ex's.