PFW Whisper: Likely that Jay Ratliff will shift from nose tackle to RDE

[28 Joker]

First, I would leave Jay Ratliff at NT but draft a guy like Dorell Scott in round three. Scott has room for 10-15 more pounds. He's 6-3, 315. He could give you those 20 or so plays (as a rookie) to either rest Ratliff or slide him over to end on certain plays. He's strong, and played in some 34 fronts for Clemson and commanded double teams. Who knows, he may get hot and play more later in the year. When Scott gets his feet under him, then, you could move Ratliff to end if you wanted to do so.

Second, I would draft a Jay Ratliff type of player in round 4 and put him in the rotation. I would take Ricky-Jean Francois with the first pick in round 4. He was the number one defensive line prospect coming out of Miami, Florida. He has big time talent. This guy in round 4 has great value. He missed 10 games due to academics in 2007. A groin pull slowed him down last year. This guy is a one gap slasher or penetrator like Ratliff, and I bet he can play the nose, too. He says he can play all three spots in a 3-4. If you are going to get him, you will have to take him right off the bat, or San Diego or another team will snag him before you pick again if all things are equal.


This is what I would do. I would get my bigger NT and get a Jay Ratliff type of player, not a pure 5 technique guy.

 

[masomenos]

Our D would suffer if Ratliff were moved to end.

 

[Wrangler87]

This guy never watched the games.

Ratliff often was dominated on running plays because he is not a natural NT. Ratliff made his name on passing downs by rushing the passer, often times from the DE position.

If we could bring in a legitimate 350 lb NT via trade or in the draft somehow, Ratliff would benefit from this move.

 

[Rack]

This guy never watched the games.

Ratliff often was dominated on running plays because he is not a natural NT. Ratliff made his name on passing downs by rushing the passer, often times from the DE position.

If we could bring in a legitimate 350 lb NT via trade or in the draft somehow, Ratliff would benefit from this move.

Did you even watch a single cowboys game last season?

 

[speedkilz88]

Did you even watch a single cowboys game last season?

It's pretty obvious he didn't.

 

[jobberone]

I'm not certain Ratliff has the physical tools to do well as a 3-4 DE. He is 6-4 but not that big. He is quick but not that fast to be a pass rushing DE in the 3-4 here. He doesn't have long arms to keep OTs off him although that's just a hindrance not a fatal flaw there. All those are hindrances but they add up.

He's very good playing a 3-4 gap NT in Wade's attacking defense. He may be able to move to DE but I would think only a few plays a game for Wade. Could be wrong but I don't think so.

Then there's the problem of his replacement. Obviously someone is going to be there for some plays. How much depends on that person's body type and play execution, what the other team is doing, coaching scheme's and so forth.

Are we keeping Tank? Is he an answer as a big run stuffing immovable NT? Who is going to be that type of NT for us? I'm certain Wade et al are looking for that guy along with a lot of other teams. We do need someone if we expect to be dominant on defense. Otherwise we'll have a hole there to be exploited.

 

[adbutcher]

Did you even watch a single cowboys game last season?

:laugh2:

 

[Alexander]

Agreed. I seriously doubt a starting NT capable of replacing a pro bowl starter can be found at 51.

There shouldn't be any doubt. There isn't.

 

[AbeBeta]

This guy never watched the games.

Ratliff often was dominated on running plays because he is not a natural NT. Ratliff made his name on passing downs by rushing the passer, often times from the DE position.

If we could bring in a legitimate 350 lb NT via trade or in the draft somehow, Ratliff would benefit from this move.

Wade's D works better with a guy like Ratliff who can pressure the QB in the middle. We only considered moving him b/c, at the time, it looked like Canty, Ratliff, and TANK were our three best DL and the idea was to get the best guys on the field at the same time. Of course it turned out that Spears was a player and Tank wasn't.

We aren't bringing in some fat *** NT who just takes up space. The moves on this D are likely going to be dictated by Wade and Wade doesn't like that sort of player much.

 

[jobberone]

Wade's D works better with a guy like Ratliff who can pressure the QB in the middle. We only considered moving him b/c, at the time, it looked like Canty, Ratliff, and TANK were our three best DL and the idea was to get the best guys on the field at the same time. Of course it turned out that Spears was a player and Tank wasn't.

We aren't bringing in some fat *** NT who just takes up space. The moves on this D are likely going to be dictated by Wade and Wade doesn't like that sort of player much.

I don't think anyone wants that. But we do need a big NT who can cover a C or G and take on double teams better than Ratliff can. That's not Jay's strength. His strength is want you said. We really need someone to compliment Jay and be a role player in certain defensive packages and relieve Jay.

 

[juck]

We definitely need a large behemoth nt.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Wade's D works better with a guy like Ratliff who can pressure the QB in the middle. We only considered moving him b/c, at the time, it looked like Canty, Ratliff, and TANK were our three best DL and the idea was to get the best guys on the field at the same time. Of course it turned out that Spears was a player and Tank wasn't.

We aren't bringing in some fat *** NT who just takes up space. The moves on this D are likely going to be dictated by Wade and Wade doesn't like that sort of player much.

Have you been talking to cowboyjoe?

Wade had good success in San Diego with Jamal Williams and the #1 defense in the league in Buffalo with Ted Washington. He also personally scouted and got the team to sign Pat Williams as an undrafted FA. I think he would prefer a behemoth NT, it's just that he hasn't had one here.

 

[Wrangler87]

I don't think anyone wants that. But we do need a big NT who can cover a C or G and take on double teams better than Ratliff can. That's not Jay's strength. His strength is want you said. We really need someone to compliment Jay and be a role player in certain defensive packages and relieve Jay.

That's my point. Stopping the run was not Ratliff's strength, and often times he got destroyed by double teams on running plays. Anyone who could not see that, must not have wanted to see that (CRack). Ratliff excelled on passing downs, rushing the QB, often from the DE position.

 

[Alexander]

Have you been talking to cowboyjoe?

Wade had good success in San Diego with Jamal Williams and the #1 defense in the league in Buffalo with Ted Washington. He also personally scouted and got the team to sign Pat Williams as an undrafted FA. I think he would prefer a behemoth NT, it's just that he hasn't had one here.

He's had success with both. Greg Kragen, Ed Jasper, Ellis Johnson and Mike Lodish weren't mammoths. Neither is Ratliff. He's said it several times that he isn't married to a particular type. That's one thing that is good about his defense and his track record.