The NT position

[Ultimategamer5567]

Given how Josh Brent played last night against the defending champs, could we see Jay Ratliff playing more snaps at DE, when he gets healthy, with Brent/Lissemore rotating in the middle?

 

[BourbonBalz]

I don't know but I sure like how much better our depth on the line overall can be with Brent playing the way he played last night.

 

[Risen Star]

I'd be for it. You could always switch him back if Brent and Lissemore regress. They were outstanding against the Giants.

 

[The Quest for Six]

Ratliff should of been moved to defensive end years ago, he's too small for a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense to take on two blockers constantly, he's been a declining player over the last three years, now over 31 years of age with injuries starting to take hold and Jerry gave him an extension with two years left on his current deal which is not a smart business move and the coaching staff still believes in this myth that he's a nose tackle, when he's not..

 

[Ultimategamer5567]

I'd be for it. You could always switch him back if Brent and Lissemore regress. They were outstanding against the Giants.

I can't help but grin at the thought of Brent, Ratliff, Hatcher and Ware on the field rushing the passer at the same time.

 

[Maxmadden]

Jay Ratliff doesn't want to play DE

 

[Risen Star]

I can't help but grin at the thought of Brent, Ratliff, Hatcher and Ware on the field rushing the passer at the same time.

I would think Lissemore could give you a little more of a pass rush than Brent.

 

[Ultimategamer5567]

Jay Ratliff doesn't want to play DE

www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=794138-cowboys-jay-ratliff-willing-to-play-de

 

[Ultimategamer5567]

I would think Lissemore could give you a little more of a pass rush than Brent.

Lissemore can give you that push, but I think Brent could very well take an extra step in that department with more experience on 3rd-downs.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I think Josh Brent played alright, but not great. One thing watching the All 22 tape that stands out is how very little Rob Ryan actually employs a "true nosetackle" 3-4 zero technique. Even when he initially lined Brent up as one, he had him shift into a 1 or 3 tech into a gap pre-snap. In fact, we shift around all of our defensive linemen quite a bit to disguise looks.

I've basically given up that fans will ever grasp anything above the most elementary definition of the 3-4 and what that entails, but I ensure you Rob Ryan is performing calculus and he's not running a 1976 version of the 3-4.

Finally, I don't really put much stock at all into how we played the run against the worst running team in the NFL last year. In fact, the Giants had 4.3 ypc last night. Last year we held them below 3.5 ypc in both games combined. It's just that when you win everyone played phenomenal and you overblow every aspect of the team.

 

[Lonestar94]

Is Lissemore taking that next step, or is he just gonna be that really good rotational player? Anyone really watch him during the game?

 

[InmanRoshi]

For example, the 2nd defensive snap of the game...

 

[InmanRoshi]

The 4th defensive snap of the game..