PFT: Ratliff to have surgery on elbows after Pro Bowl

[WoodysGirl]

Ware, Ratliff will have surgery after the Pro Bowl

Posted by Josh Alper on January 30, 2010 11:10 AM ET

Two key members of the Dallas Cowboys defense will head to the operating room after they play in Sunday's Pro Bowl.

Linebacker DeMarcus Ware will have surgery to remove bone spurs from his left foot and nose tackle Jay Ratliff will have an operation on his elbow. Neither surgery is considered particularly serious, which is why the players will take part in the game before going under the knife.

Ware told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the honor of being chosen meant a lot to him and contributed to his decision.

"At the end of the day, hard work is what got me here not sitting on the couch," Ware said. "And sometimes it's about respect for the game. You were chosen to be here. You can be here even if you are injured, come show your face."

It's a rare point of view among this year's Pro Bowlers. While we certainly understand and generally agree with players who put their health concerns above an exhibition game, it's refreshing to hear a player espouse pride in being part of the game.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Ratliff to have surgery on elbows

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By Calvin Watkins
ESPNDallas.com
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Dallas Cowboys starting nose tackle Jay Ratliff will join outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware in undergoing minor surgery following the Pro Bowl.




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Ratliff, who was second on the team with seven sacks and fourth in quarterback pressures with 33, will have surgery on both elbows.

Team officials believe the surgeries will not have a major impact on whether the players return in time for organized team workouts in the spring.

Ware needs bone spurs removed from a troublesome left foot that bothered him for most of the regular season.

It was an injury-filled season for Ware, who battled foot, neck and wrist problems. However, Ware managed to lead the team in sacks (11) and quarterback pressures (45).


Calvin Watkins covers the Dallas Cowboys for ESPN Dallas. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.

 

[Eskimo]

We need to get these guys some capable backups so they don't have to play every down of the game. I want these guys rested for late in close games. We have at least drafted some guys to backup Ware and Spencer but we haven't done anything for Ratliff. If Siavii isn't good enough to be entrusted to more snaps then we have to get someone in FA or the draft is who is good enough to spell him some more.

The coaches also need to make a point of getting these guys some rest. It shouldn't be up to the player to decide whether he wants to come out.

It is just so hard to find elite players. We need to protect these guys a little bit - a tired player is much more likely to get hurt.

 

[BAT]

Get your backups in the draft. I still say you protect your stars by putting other elite players AROUND them, not behind them.

Sign Richard Seymour to line up next to Rat and Ware and the double teams will decline dramatically.

 

[Eskimo]

Get your backups in the draft. I still say you protect your stars by putting other elite players AROUND them, not behind them.

Sign Richard Seymour to line up next to Rat and Ware and the double teams will decline dramatically.

Seymour is way too old to overpay right now and he is a shell of his former self. Someone is probably going to overpay him but it shouldn't be us.

I agree about drafting as many elite players as you can but the body needs the odd breather here and there. When you are fresh you can play with more effort and if yoiu know you have a guy who is going to spell you, you know you can give it your all every down.

I'm not asking for someone to play 40% of Ware's snaps. I'm looking for someone to play maybe 20% of Ware's snaps and about the same for Ratliff. I'd like both in the nickel rush package whenever possible.

 

[BAT]

Seymour is way too old to overpay right now and he is a shell of his former self. Someone is probably going to overpay him but it shouldn't be us.

I agree about drafting as many elite players as you can but the body needs the odd breather here and there. When you are fresh you can play with more effort and if yoiu know you have a guy who is going to spell you, you know you can give it your all every down.

I'm not asking for someone to play 40% of Ware's snaps. I'm looking for someone to play maybe 20% of Ware's snaps and about the same for Ratliff. I'd like both in the nickel rush package whenever possible.

Who is talking about overpaying anyone. I doubt too many FAs will get long term deals this offseason with the uncertainty of the 2011 season. Seymour may take a one year deal (or 2 year deal) for another chance at a big payday. Seymour is far from done and he would be definitely upgrade the Cowboys' front 7.

 

[Eskimo]

Who is talking about overpaying anyone. I doubt too many FAs will get long term deals this offseason with the uncertainty of the 2011 season. Seymour may take a one year deal (or 2 year deal) for another chance at a big payday. Seymour is far from done and he would be definitely upgrade the Cowboys' front 7.

One-year deal - fine by me.

Multi-year deal with a big bonus - no way.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Dallas needs to use the 2010 draft to get quality depth at a few positions!

 

[Eskimo]

Dallas needs to use the 2010 draft to get quality depth at a fiew positions!

You just keep drafting BPA within the confines of what makes sense with our schemes and needs. The depth will just naturally accrue in this manner.

I still hope a great OL drops to us.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

You just keep drafting BPA within the confines of what makes sense with our schemes and needs. The depth will just naturally accrue in this manner.

I still hope a great OL drops to us.

Preferably a LT.

 

[Eskimo]

Preferably a LT.

Almost no chance a great LT drops to the bottom of the first round. You only get project LTs there who will probably need a couple of years of grooming.

We may find another very good OL, though.

Besides, Doug Free will be our future LT anyways.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Almost no chance a great LT drops to the bottom of the first round. You only get project LTs there who will probably need a couple of years of grooming.

We may find another very good OL, though.

Besides, Doug Free will be our future LT anyways.

I'm not sold on Free as a LT. I'm much more comfortable with him at RT.

 

[JBond]

I'm not sold on Free as a LT. I'm much more comfortable with him at RT.

Those penciling in Free starting at left tackle next season may want to keep their erasers handy.

 

[Eskimo]

Those penciling in Free starting at left tackle next season may want to keep their erasers handy.

It all depends on whether Flo is coming back and able to play again. If he can give us one more year then he will play along with Free as both are much better than Colombo. There is no way you can ask Flo to move at this stage of his career so he would be back at LT with Free at RT.

It would give the Cowboys one year to try and find a developmental LT prospect who they could groom for a year.

I wouldn't be surprised if Flo calls it quits if that calf injury was major - does anyone know how bad his calf was hurt?

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Those penciling in Free starting at left tackle next season may want to keep their erasers handy.

Yep...