Rat to DE where he belongs!

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Can someone explain why this is said?

Is he not killing it at nose using his quickness?

In a 5 technique he would face doubles.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I haven't heard anyone bring up Ratliff to the DE spot since the offseason. I think with the years Spears and Olshanksy are having its pretty much shut down those talks of Ratliff to the DE spot. The defensive line is fine.

 

[GOLDENCHILD1688]

are you serious?

please tell me youre joking

 

[21Savage]

are you serious?

please tell me youre joking

Did you even read?............... I mean can you even read?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

are you serious?

please tell me youre joking

He's asking where does this talk about Ratliff to DE come from since Ratliff is great at the NT. Did you just read the thread title and reply?

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

He's asking where does this talk about Ratliff to DE come from since Ratliff is great at the NT. Did you just read the thread title and reply?

Way more prevalent than you think....

That, and - " Im not gonna read all your posts, but did anyone mention ...."

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I haven't heard anyone bring up Ratliff to the DE spot since the offseason. I think with the years Spears and Olshanksy are having its pretty much shut down those talks of Ratliff to the DE spot. The defensive line is fine.

Im cool w/ drafting a versatile guy like Oghobase from Duke and moving everyone at times, but Rats fine.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Im cool w/ drafting a versatile guy like Oghobase from Duke and moving everyone at times, but Rats fine.

Yea when it comes to the linemen on defensive and offense you can never have too many. I like Oghobaas. I think he can play some at nose tackle as well as at the defensive end spot. Big and athletic guy.

 

[skinsscalper]

The idea of moving Rat to DE is not new. Not even to the coaches. When Rat was approached about it, he was not thrilled at all with the idea. As far as I'm concerned, I wouldn't move a guy who's playing at a Pro-Bowl level at one position to a position he doesn't even want to play.

 

[Cover 2]

Exactly. Not to mention going against a lineman in the interior is much different than going against one on the outside. The ones on the outside are usually taller and more athletic.

 

[Galian Beast]

Ratliff didn't like when he was being moved to nose tackle in the first place... The fact that he is productive in the nose doesn't mean he couldn't be more production as an exterior linemen.

 

[juck]

Only if we get Caey Hampton who the Stealers will not resign.

 

[CowboyMike]

Ratliff didn't like when he was being moved to nose tackle in the first place... The fact that he is productive in the nose doesn't mean he couldn't be more production as an exterior linemen.

It actually means exactly that. Ratliff's game is shooting gaps and being quicker than the guards and centers he faces. As an end he would be going against tackles, which negates that.

Not to mention the fact that as an end his job would be to eat space to clear the way for our pass rushers/OLBs. His primary job would NOT being rushing the passer as an end.

People, for once and for all, a 3-4 defensive end is not a pass rusher. He's a space eater!

 

[TD-33]

If it ain't broke...

 

[Galian Beast]

3-4 nose tackle is the biggest space eater on the team. Traditionally you don't see the type of pass rush that Ratliff exhibits from the nose tackle position either...

good luck next time.

 

[ghst187]

i agree that it would be hard to change what seems to be working well and Ratliff is arguably our second best defensive player, even while playing the NT position. I'm not sure his production would be the same at DE, hard to say. But the X factor in this may be something like Spears contract, which I think is up this year or next. Spears is a good 3-4 DE, not spectacular, but solid, and I'm not sure how you could justify giving him a huge contract. It would be cheaper to let him walk, move Rat to DE, and draft a NT, which there are quite a few in the coming draft. Not saying we should definitely do this, but this might end up being the logic of the front office. If that happened, it would be really interesting to see how that worked out.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Im sorry but Im still seeing this asked. Do you not see what Rat is doing at NT?

A better backup to give him a break? Sure. But do you really want our 2nd best pass rusher doubled on the edge? Leave that to the Bowens and Olshanskys.