Should Ratliff and Spencer start when they come back?

[Zordon]

They discussed this on the Break today, what say you? Take your emotion or anger/disappointment at the two players out of the equation...

 

[CyberB0b]

No. Situational to keep them fresh. V

 

[ufcrules1]

Even taking the emotion out of it, I say no. The "backups" are playing well. Why mess with that now?

 

[boysfanindc]

Like Smith/Barney use to say they should have to Eaaaaaaarn it!

 

[Rack]

They discussed this on the Break today, what say you? Take your emotion or anger/disappointment at the two players out of the equation...

No, we should be rotating them in till they earn back their job. Then we should continue to use a rotation to keep them fresh (like we did to help us win superbowls in the 90's).

 

[Gameover]

Not if things are rolling.

 

[Smith22]

It depends what level they come back at. Just look at how guys like Hayden and Hatcher have progressed. If the coaching staff has the same results with Ratliff and Spencer, the Dline would be insane.

IF they make it back, I think they will just rotate the DL and keep everyone as fresh as possible.

 

[Zordon]

Even taking the emotion out of it, I say no. The "backups" are playing well. Why mess with that now?

I'd start Spencer b/c he's a better run player. Ratliff too maybe. Rat is going to be a beast when he comes back IMO.

 

[ufcrules1]

I'd start Spencer b/c he's a better run player. Ratliff too maybe. Rat is going to be a beast when he comes back IMO.

I say let them rotate in an out and see how they do.. but not just straight up take the starting role. Just my opinion.

 

[Doomsday101]

They discussed this on the Break today, what say you? Take your emotion or anger/disappointment at the two players out of the equation...

I think both some come in as back ups and earn their playing time. If Rat and or Spencer return and play great ball and get their starting spots back then great.

 

[Tabascocat]

Don't fix what isn't broke.

They have missed playing time, no way should either just walk in and start for the sake of starting because of who they are.

If, over time, they prove themselves healthy and a better alternative, then so be it. I will just be happy with the added depth for now, keep em fresh.

 

[Future]

Spencer I'm up in the air about, but no way am I starting Ratliff.

Hatcher has been absolutely dominant at the 3, and Rat coming back would mean moving him to the 1. Let Hayden continue to eat up the doubles and bring in Rat on passing situations.

 

[links18]

Selvie is straight up balling at the moment. We don't need an overweight Spencer to go out there and mail it in.

 

[KDM256]

I believe both players should be worked in for the time being and get their feet wet since both players missed TC. If both a back to rare form they should start but the backups should get subbed in early and often to keep everybody fresh and motiviated

 

[kiheikiwi]

Getting 2 very good players back on the D-line is a good thing. As we get further into the season having 2 sets of fresh legs could be huge for us. As Rack said, the rotations of the 90's teams comes to mind IF we can get both Spencer and Ratliff back into the line. No, do not start them straight away, but if after a couple of games they are playing up to their potential - why not ? And then look how deep our D-line would be !
I think 1 if not both these players will be gone next year, so rotating the younger players all this year is nothing but a benefit to our club... Spencer I think will come back fine, (From injury) Ratliff - who knows what he will bring. It's like I saw a comment yesterday from someone - Hatcher was quoted saying something about how differant things could have been if he had played in the 4-3 all his career. I feel the same for Ratliff, and was really looking forward to what he could have been this year. Now, who knows what we will get from him after week 6 ? But I still hope for the best.

 

[Ultimategamer5567]

Define what you mean by "starter". If you mean starter as in being on the field on the first defensive play of the game, it doesn't really matter much to me. If you mean starter as in 40, 50 snaps a game, then no. Selvie/Hayden have shown to be quality players in this scheme and if you have the ability to rotate guys in and out it keeps everybody fresh in December/January when you can least afford to run out of gas on the DL. My ideal scenario is for each DL (excluding a HOF talent such as Ware) to get around 30-35 snaps each.

 

[conner01]

i suspect both will be slowly brought along. spencer and rat, when healthy are better than what we have now so it would be silly not to use them. as for starting, i guess that depends on how well they play as they are working their way back into shape

 

[dstovall5]

No, they can stay on the bench and be rotational players. They can help this team by being depth players, because right now their replacements are playing pretty good, especially Selvie.

 

[erod]

Spencer will when healthy, but I don't see how Ratliff wrestles the starting nod over Hatcher or Hayden.

 

[shank]

I'd start Spencer b/c he's a better run player. Ratliff too maybe. Rat is going to be a beast when he comes back IMO.

he hasn't been beast for long time. From what I can tell Marinelli does better with unknown guys who are very hungry and coachable. I am not sure Ratliff fits into that mold any longer. My sense is this is last year in Dallas for both Ratliff and Spencer but I do think they could be key members down stretch for their depth.