Ratliff and Scandrick contracts are next up for restructuring

[WoodysGirl]

Archer reports defensive tackle Jay Ratliff and cornerback Orlando Scandrick are also on the list of moves the Cowboys would like to make. Along with the previously reported request that linebacker Dan Connor take a pay cut if he wants to remain in Dallas, there’s a lot of moving parts in Dallas right now.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...and-others-join-cowboys-restructuring-parade/

 

[DFWJC]

Thanks for these updates, WG.

 

[Nightman]

Ratliff is a little dicey since he already has 6m in cap charges left on his deal. adding another 3-4m to that puts you in position of having to keep him multiple years. Maybe the DWI gives the team some leverage in lower his salary vs a straight restructure.

 

[perrykemp]

Ratliff is a little dicey since he already has 6m in cap charges left on his deal. adding another 3-4m to that puts you in position of having to keep him multiple years. Maybe the DWI gives the team some leverage in lower his salary vs a straight restructure.

Restructuring Ratliff seems like a bad idea. The guy barely played last year due to injuries. His performance has been trending downwards for the last 3 years or so.

 

[Dwight]

Restructuring Ratliff seems like a bad idea. The guy barely played last year due to injuries. His performance has been trending downwards for the last 3 years or so.

It is a bad idea. I just don't understand the reason why they are keeping him.

 

[Nightman]

It is a bad idea. I just don't understand the reason why they are keeping him.

I'd keep him for at least this year, I just wouldn't push any more money into future years with him.

 

[Picksix]

It is a bad idea. I just don't understand the reason why they are keeping him.

My guess it's because he's still owed a chunk of guaranteed money, and when healthy, still a very good player. They don't have that great of a viable back up solution for him. So keep him, knowing that if he's healthy enough, he'll likely give you good play at a needed position. If not, oh well, because you're paying him whether he's there or not. If you let him walk, then you have to pay someone else to replace him, or use a high pick on his replacement, and hope he can step in right away.

 

[FLcowboy]

It is a bad idea. I just don't understand the reason why they are keeping him.

He is a known quantity, and there really isn't anybody else on the roster to take his place. Yeah, he screwed up, but he is pretty good when healthy, and most players are assumed to be healthy at the beginning of the year. I agree with most that his skills are declining, but then again, who would replace him.

 

[AbeBeta]

It is a bad idea. I just don't understand the reason why they are keeping him.

His salary (or a big chunk of it) is guaranteed for this year.

So we can keep him and pay him 5 mill or not keep him and pay him 5 mil.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Double Post

 

[InmanRoshi]

It's pretty remarkable how much fan messageboard land gets detached from reality. Put in the Week 8 tape against the Giants and focus on him and it's pretty easy to see why he'll be here for a while. Also pretty funny how a guy who hadn't missed a start in 4 years coming into this year (despite playing an incredible amount of snaps) is now the injuredest player who ever injured. In truth, it's fairly remarkable he played at all this year. I still don't know how his leg didn't snap in half in that pile up that caused the high ankle sprain.

 

[xwalker]

His salary (or a big chunk of it) is guaranteed for this year.

So we can keep him and pay him 5 mill or not keep him and pay him 5 mil.

This.^

Part or possibly all of his base salary is guaranteed for 2013.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

It's pretty remarkable how much fan messageboard land gets detached from reality. Put in the Week 8 tape against the Giants and focus on him and it's pretty easy to see why he'll be here for a while. Also pretty funny how a guy who hadn't missed a start in 4 years coming into this year (despite playing an incredible amount of snaps) is now the injuredest player who ever injured. In truth, it's fairly remarkable he played at all this year. I still don't know how his leg didn't snap in half in that pile up that caused the high ankle sprain.

Yea I know what you mean. Honestly even with the plantar facitis this season when Ratliff was on the field was the best season i've seen from him in about 2 or 3 years. I don't think it shows up in the stats but he just looked like a whole different beast out there most notably that Giatns game you speak of.

He had so many injuries they just kept piling on top of each other. Why anyone would want him cut for his play is beyond me. If you believe in "cutting to send a message" I think you're sending the wrong one by cutting one of your best players. That's just me.

 

[JeffInDC]

It's pretty remarkable how much fan messageboard land gets detached from reality. Put in the Week 8 tape against the Giants and focus on him and it's pretty easy to see why he'll be here for a while. Also pretty funny how a guy who hadn't missed a start in 4 years coming into this year (despite playing an incredible amount of snaps) is now the injuredest player who ever injured. In truth, it's fairly remarkable he played at all this year. I still don't know how his leg didn't snap in half in that pile up that caused the high ankle sprain.

Yes, the DUI was stupid. Won't argue that. But, if we had 53 guys that had Rat's passion on the field, this team would be much better. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Echo9]

My guess it's because he's still owed a chunk of guaranteed money, and when healthy, still a very good player. They don't have that great of a viable back up solution for him. So keep him, knowing that if he's healthy enough, he'll likely give you good play at a needed position. If not, oh well, because you're paying him whether he's there or not. If you let him walk, then you have to pay someone else to replace him, or use a high pick on his replacement, and hope he can step in right away.

You nailed it right there. Ratliff missed a bunch of games this past year, but he was a difference maker in the few games he did play. A 4 man front is actually better for Ratliff as well. Personally I can't see a reason for NOT keeping him. The financial problems of cutting him AND tying to find a player half his caliber would be huge.

 

[perrykemp]

He had so many injuries they just kept piling on top of each other. Why anyone would want him cut for his play is beyond me. If you believe in "cutting to send a message" I think you're sending the wrong one by cutting one of your best players. That's just me.

Ratliff days as a pass rusher seem to be behind him. His sacks since 2008 have steadily declined:

2008: 7.5
2009: 6.0
2010: 3.5
2011: 2.0
2012: 0.0

His season was ruined in injury in 2012.

He turn 32 before this coming season starts.

I agree he looked the part on the few occassions he made it on the field last year, however, to think he is worth anything near $5-7m per year is crazy.

I find it hard to see much else in his statistics over the past half of a decade than a downward spiral. Maybe a move to the 4-3 will rejuvenate him, however, it's just as likely he is more or less done.

 

[Kristen82]

Ratliff days as a pass rusher seem to be behind him. His sacks since 2008 have steadily declined:

2008: 7.5
2009: 6.0
2010: 3.5
2011: 2.0
2012: 0.0

His season was ruined in injury in 2012.

He turn 32 before this coming season starts.

I agree he looked the part on the few occassions he made it on the field last year, however, to think he is worth anything near $5-7m per year is crazy.

I find it hard to see much else in his statistics over the past half of a decade than a downward spiral. Maybe a move to the 4-3 will rejuvenate him, however, it's just as likely he is more or less done.

Maybe they could keep him fresh by rotating him in as the 3rd-DT, and/or having him only come in on passing downs to provide a pass rush.

 

[Beast_from_East]

His salary (or a big chunk of it) is guaranteed for this year.

So we can keep him and pay him 5 mill or not keep him and pay him 5 mil.

Exactly!!!


We are basically on the hook for $5 mill regardless of if he is here or not. Not rocket science that they decided to look the other way with his off the field stuff (DWI, getting in Jerry's face, ect....)

 

[Idgit]

Ratliff days as a pass rusher seem to be behind him. His sacks since 2008 have steadily declined:

2008: 7.5
2009: 6.0
2010: 3.5
2011: 2.0
2012: 0.0

His season was ruined in injury in 2012.

He turn 32 before this coming season starts.

I agree he looked the part on the few occassions he made it on the field last year, however, to think he is worth anything near $5-7m per year is crazy.

I find it hard to see much else in his statistics over the past half of a decade than a downward spiral. Maybe a move to the 4-3 will rejuvenate him, however, it's just as likely he is more or less done.

His elbow problem in 2010 took more than a year to come back from. It's a real shame he got the groin problem this year, because he was looking really good in what little early action he got.

I'm more concerned about his health at this point than I am his skills declining. Though, I admit both are issues until he proves otherwise.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Ratliff days as a pass rusher seem to be behind him. His sacks since 2008 have steadily declined:

2008: 7.5
2009: 6.0
2010: 3.5
2011: 2.0
2012: 0.0

His season was ruined in injury in 2012.

He turn 32 before this coming season starts.

I agree he looked the part on the few occassions he made it on the field last year, however, to think he is worth anything near $5-7m per year is crazy.

I find it hard to see much else in his statistics over the past half of a decade than a downward spiral. Maybe a move to the 4-3 will rejuvenate him, however, it's just as likely he is more or less done.

The problem we have is that we are basically paying him for past performance, something we have done with several other players also.

Not a good way to manage your team because you get guys making more than what their current production warrants.