So Jay Ratliff is our 3 tech?

[Galian Beast]

So Jason Garret says that Jay Ratliff will absolutely be back next year, I think that makes him our starting 3 technique by default.

It seems as though we're trying to make this transition as easy and affortable as possible.

Ware - Hatcher - Ratliff - Spencer[Crawford]

We already know who our will and mike are.

So that leaves the sam linebacker and the two safeties.

Sam isn't really a key position, so this highlights the priority on defense being safety, assuming that we resign Spencer. Which personally, I think is a mistake.

 

[TwentyOne]

Signing Spencer to a reasonable contract (4 years 5-6 mills/a, incentive laden) is ok. Anything else would be a hugh mistake.

I do think Ratliff is not well suited for the 3 tech. Maybe 2 years ago but not anymore. But because of our other needs i do think we will start with Ratliff at the 3 tech if we don't find a true and cheap one in the draft or FA.

 

[Gaede]

I don't think they'll be able to sign Spencer, in the end. He would also be wise to test free agency with all the 3-4 teams out there.

Seems to me, DE will be our biggest need come draft time.

 

[tunahelper]

Does hatcher move to NT if Spencer is resigned? I think Hatcher plays LE in that scenario.

Anyone know in the new labor agreement if Brent could be suspended prior to trial? I thought that was no longer allowed?

 

[unionjack8]

Rat is more suited to be our 1 tech imo and hatchere the 3 tech with ware and crawford/rookie at the end.

I really like Spencer but i wouldnt pay him 10m/yr. Sometimes you just have to let them walk.

Lee, Dez, Carter and Tyron are more important long term to this team.

 

[Frozen700]

If we can save a ton of money by releasing Rat, do it.

If you can only save a little to none...keep him

 

[TheCount]

The guy on talking Cowboys (particularly Mickey and Broaddus) seem to have got it in their head that Hatcher is better off the bench than as a starter.

Keep in mind, they also believe (contrary to most everyone else) that Bernardau was much better last year than Livings.

However, if that's the case - then who is starting opposite Ratliff, Spears? Draft pick? FA?

 

[supercowboy8]

Ratliff is perfect fit for the 3 tech. No way he can play the 1 with his age. Also no way hatchet can play the 1. We need to draft a one tech like sylvester Williams, Brandon Williams, Jesse Williams, john Jenkins, or johnathon hankins.

 

[LatinMind]

The guy on talking Cowboys (particularly Mickey and Broaddus) seem to have got it in their head that Hatcher is better off the bench than as a starter.

Keep in mind, they also believe (contrary to most everyone else) that Bernardau was much better last year than Livings.

However, if that's the case - then who is starting opposite Ratliff, Spears? Draft pick? FA?

Yeah i dont understand their thinking on hatcher. Hatcher had an extremely good yr in 2012. Broaddus has blocked out any other pick that isnt Sharrif or Richardson at 18. And Mickey is lost. He doesnt think anybody can come in and replace Spencer or Free because it would cost more money is his thinking lol.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Ratliff is perfect fit for the 3 tech. No way he can play the 1 with his age. Also no way hatchet can play the 1. We need to draft a one tech like sylvester Williams, Brandon Williams, Jesse Williams, john Jenkins, or johnathon hankins.

 

[speedkilz88]

Rat can play both the 3 and the 1 but the need is for him to play the 1 since Hatcher is a 3 or has to play SDE.

 

[xwalker]

The guy on talking Cowboys (particularly Mickey and Broaddus) seem to have got it in their head that Hatcher is better off the bench than as a starter.

Keep in mind, they also believe (contrary to most everyone else) that Bernardau was much better last year than Livings.

However, if that's the case - then who is starting opposite Ratliff, Spears? Draft pick? FA?

Broaddus is an ex-scout for a reason. Hatcher was the best DLineman last year (Ware and Spencer were not DLinemen then).

 

[xwalker]

If we can save a ton of money by releasing Rat, do it.

If you can only save a little to none...keep him

Part of all of Ratliff's base salary is guaranteed for 2013. The monetary benefit of releasing him would be near Zero.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Part of all of Ratliff's base salary is guaranteed for 2013. The monetary benefit of releasing him would be near Zero.

Exactly.

The talk about releasing the guy do to whatever reason should simply stop– pretty much a waste of keystrokes.

 

[NeonNinja]

Exactly.

The talk about releasing the guy do to whatever reason should simply stop– pretty much a waste of keystrokes.

Agreed.

 

[Woods]

I think both Ratliff and Hatcher may be better suited for the 3 tech. Maybe in a rotation they would be pretty effective? I think it will be much easier to draft a 1 tech in April. We could even pick up one in the 2nd or 3rd round.

 

[speedkilz88]

People are getting 3-4 NTs who play the 0 technique dancing in their head when Kiffin's defense does not use the typical big fat guys. They use guys who can play both the 1 and the 3. The Cowboys have Rat and Lissemore who both can do that.

(CHI)Stephen Paea 6-1 300 24 tkls 2.5 sks
(SEA)Brandon Mebane 6-1 311 56 tkls 3 sks
(TB)Booger McFarland 6-0 300
(MIN)Henry Thomas 6-2 277

 

[ajk23az]

Signing Spencer to a reasonable contract (4 years 5-6 mills/a, incentive laden) is ok. Anything else would be a hugh mistake.

That sounds like a fantasy. He will be getting 6-8 million/year easily from someone.

 

[DFWJC]

I think once you commit to a 4-3 you should draft at least 1 Dlineman every year.
These guys are going to rotate throughout the game and they must be fresh.

Rat is just one guy (an older one at that) and bringing him back should not affect out drafting.

 

[gimmesix]

So Jason Garret says that Jay Ratliff will absolutely be back next year, I think that makes him our starting 3 technique by default.

It seems as though we're trying to make this transition as easy and affortable as possible.

Ware - Hatcher - Ratliff - Spencer[Crawford]

We already know who our will and mike are.

So that leaves the sam linebacker and the two safeties.

Sam isn't really a key position, so this highlights the priority on defense being safety, assuming that we resign Spencer. Which personally, I think is a mistake.

I think it really depends on what happens with Spencer.

I think Ratliff is suited best for the 1-tech, where he doesn't have to face double-teams and is allowed to use his quickness to shoot the B gap.

However, if Dallas re-signs Spencer, I think Ratliff will end up playing 3-technique because he's one of our few linemen who can play both spots. The NT spot in this defense would not be much different for him than the NT spot in Wade Phillips' D.

The reason it hinges on re-signing Spencer is that likely will determine where Hatcher plays. I don't think Hatcher is suited for the 3-technique, but he's a good fit for the 1-technique. However, if Spencer isn't re-signed, I think Hatcher will be moved to RDE.

So the way I see it is:

Spencer re-signed — Ware, Hatcher, Ratliff, Spencer.

Spencer not re-signed — Ware, Ratliff, FA, Hatcher.

Another option if Spencer is not re-signed might be Sean Lissemore at the 3-technique. Not sure how I feel about him starting, though, although I think he's a good player.

The other primary option we have is Tyrone Crawford, and I certainly hope Dallas doesn't hand him a starting spot. He needs to have to beat someone out for one.