Ratliff could be moving to end?

[theogt]

That's what I'm thinking, too.

I mean, I was all for signing Tank and I think he'll be a big help to us this year. But we don't know how he'd do playing as a down-in, down-out nosetackle.

IMO this is yet another example of everyone getting overly excited about a guy who has had good workouts in June and looks all big in his sleeveless practice jersey.

But that doesn't mean jack.

Tank's performed at a very high level before in the NFL as an every down player, so I don't see the need to be skeptical. I think some people overrate the difficulty of playing every down at the 3-4 NT position. But even then, he doesn't have to play EVERY DOWN. He'd still be rotating in and out with Ratliff at NT.

If you extrapolate Tank's production last year over the amount of snaps Ratliff received, you'd get about 45+ tackles and 8+ sacks.

 

[dmq]

Since when is Spears inconsistent? He is consistently average.

 

[cobra]

I don't like it. I'd rather have Jay and Tank rotating at NT, keeping them fresh (and therefore able to contribute in nickel/dime packages freash)

NT is far more important than DE.

While Jay would certainly wreck havoc at DE, I'd rather be dominant at NT with fresh Jay+Tank.

Spears didn't hurt us last year. Yeah, he was not dominant. But he didn't hurt us either.

Who would spell Tank if Jay is playing DE? We don't have anyone to do that. So what happens is that Tank gets tired at NT and no one else can play there because Jay is tired from playing DE. So Tank goes out and some nobody goes in there at NT, and now all of the sudden your defense has a WEAKNESS up the middle.

If I was going to do this visually, I'd rather have Option A than Option B:

Option A
DE: Solid, Solid (Spears, Hatcher)
NT: Strong, Strong (Ratliff, Tank)
DE: Strong, Solid (Canty, Bowen/Dixon)

Option B
DE: Strong, Solid (Ratliff, Spears, Hatcher)
NT: Strong, Weak (Tank, ???)
DE Strong, Solid (Canty, Bowen/Dixon)

Right now we have no weakness in the rotation. I would rather not create a weakness just to get Ratliff on the field at DE.

If Spears must be replaced, then I'd like to see Hatcher be the one who replaces him.

(FYI: not that it means anything, I did find it interesting that they have Ratliff listed as a DE on dc.com http://www.dallascowboys.com/team_depthChart.cfm )

 

[AbeBeta]

Since when is Spears inconsistent? He is consistently average.

I'll take a consistent player any day of the week -- a consistent guy gives you exactly what you expect of him game in and game out. That's a freaking godsend to a d-coordinator as he knows what he's going to get from the guy every day.

Now whether Spears is average or a bit above average (which I think he is in run D) is up for debate.

 

[jobberone]

Spears is not going to go from a starter to not making this team. Unless he gets suspended by the Commish. Spears disappoints me a little but he is still at the very least a very good quality backup. At the worse. He will benefit from the better defensive back play this year, better line play by others, and even better LB play. They will all make each other look better.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Ratliff move to DE some esp on passing downs. But he won't take all the snaps away from Hatcher or even Bowen who both do their jobs pretty well.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

going to be fun!

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Tank's performed at a very high level before in the NFL as an every down player, so I don't see the need to be skeptical. I think some people overrate the difficulty of playing every down at the 3-4 NT position. But even then, he doesn't have to play EVERY DOWN. He'd still be rotating in and out with Ratliff at NT.

But if Ratliff is starting -- or playing a lot -- at end, he can't just play at NT on the plays he's not at end. He has to rest sometime.

I'm hopeful like you are, I'd just say that I'd work him in slowly and make him prove that he can handle it before I make him a starter.

If you extrapolate Tank's production last year over the amount of snaps Ratliff received, you'd get about 45+ tackles and 8+ sacks.

I don't think you can do that, though. You usually aren't going to produce as much on a per-down basis when you play a lot more, especially at such a taxing position.

 

[jterrell]

I'll repost this again, since this thread is essentially a repost.

We substitute all the starters at once.

For example:

Starters - Spears, Ratliff, Canty
Substitutes - Hatcher, Tank, Bowen

The starters are (almost) ALWAYS on the field together, and the substitutes are (almost) ALWAYS on the field together.

So, what you'll likely see is:

Starters - Spears, Ratliff, Canty
Substitutes - Ratliff, Tank, Bowen/Hatcher

In other words, he's likely taking time away from Hatcher or Bowen, NOT Marcus Spears.

So Ratliff never gets a rest?
That doesn't make much sense bro.

Sounds more like Ratliff will split his TIME not the game. So He would in fact be the co-starter at both positions and get like 40% of the snaps at each.

 

[jobberone]

I agree with the rotation being necessary. I don't think there are many players who can go that hard that many snaps esp in a 3-4. But having depth is so critical. Don't wanna put a hex on us but we have been pretty lucky with injuries lately. I'd be surprised if we go this year without more major injuries on both lines.

 

[STSINAZ]

junior is the backup at nt

 

[theogt]

So Ratliff never gets a rest?
That doesn't make much sense bro.

Sounds more like Ratliff will split his TIME not the game. So He would in fact be the co-starter at both positions and get like 40% of the snaps at each.

But if Ratliff is starting -- or playing a lot -- at end, he can't just play at NT on the plays he's not at end. He has to rest sometime.

I'm hopeful like you are, I'd just say that I'd work him in slowly and make him prove that he can handle it before I make him a starter.

I didn't say or imply that he doesn't get a rest. This is only for base packages, and he doesn't have to be (or isn't likely going to be) the full-time backup for the DE spot.

What you could do is essentially adjust Tank's snaps upwards, but Hatcher's or Bowen's downwards, with Ratliff retaining the same amount as last year.

 

[ethiostar]

I didn't say or imply that he doesn't get a rest. This is only for base packages, and he doesn't have to be (or isn't likely going to be) the full-time backup for the DE spot.

What you could do is essentially adjust Tank's snaps upwards, but Hatcher's or Bowen's downwards, with Ratliff retaining the same amount as last year.

I thought i recently read somewhere that Hatcher will be getting more playing time this season.

 

[cobra]

junior is the backup at nt

That does not inspire ANY confidence in me.

 

[AtlCB]

I dunno, is Spears > Tank? That's hard to say.

I do wish we could hear the team at least address the idea of Spears an NT. I mean not just as an emergency backup, but as an effective rotation player. He's always wanting to gain weight anyway -- not sure why we don't just let him get to 330 and plug up the middle.

Unless he doesn't have the motor to play inside, which is very possible if not likely.

Spears seems to have a good motor and is very good against the run. He just can't get to the quarterback. NT may be a better position for him.

 

[theogt]

I thought i recently read somewhere that Hatcher will be getting more playing time this season.

Personally, I'd rather Ratliff replace Bowen's snaps at DE, who was pretty much a waste of space last year on the field.

 

[VACowboy]

Personally, I'd rather Ratliff replace Bowen's snaps at DE, who was pretty much a waste of space last year on the field.

I thought Bowen played decent for a backup DE. Would I like to see Dixon upgrade the position? Sure, but I don't think Bowen was a waste of space.

 

[ethiostar]

I thought Bowen played decent for a backup DE. Would I like to see Dixon upgrade the position? Sure, but I don't think Bowen was a waste of space.

I'm with you on this one, i thought he made good use of his playing time too.

 

[theogt]

I'm with you on this one, i thought he made good use of his playing time too.

Doing what?

Solo Tackles - 9
TFL - 0
Sacks - 0
FF - 0
PD - 0
INTs - 0

He got as much playing time as Hatcher and Tank, and didn't do squat with it.

 

[AbeBeta]

Doing what?

Solo Tackles - 9
TFL - 0
Sacks - 0
FF - 0
PD - 0
INTs - 0

He got as much playing time as Hatcher and Tank, and didn't do squat with it.

He had that hit on Favre that led to an INT. Which, although a nice play, was about all he did all year despite considerable playing time.

I'm starting to buy your "big hit" theory.

 

[ZeroClub]

The team gains if Ratliff sees some snaps at both spots - it gives the opposition one more extra thing to think about.