Which scenario do you want to play out?

[dcfanatic]

#1. The Cowboys overpay for Chris Canty and then draft a NT later in the draft.

This means the Def Line starters remain the same and the rotation changes a bit thru FA and the draft. Tank is gone, Bowen likely to be resigned, rookie NT later in the draft gets some sporadic playing time.

OR

#2. The Cowboys let Chris Canty walk (Ratliff moves to DE) and then the Cowboys use their first pick in the draft (2nd round, #51 overall) on a NT.

This means the rookie NT is asked to step in ASAP and at least split equal time with another NT we pick up in FA and maybe even find on the roster as a DE like Hatcher drops down inside. And we see Ratliff back at DE where he began his career.
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IMO. I go with #2. Here's a few reasons why I feel this way.

Canty is an ok player who occasionally makes a dynamic play. But he isn't a threat to go get the QB and he will never be an elite DE.

We haven't seen the defense play in a dominant fashion for any prolonged period of time either with this current setup. So I don't see where we should be afraid to make some changes.

I really want to see Ratliff as a DE now that he's become an elite player. I know he's a great NT, but I feel he could be even more more dynamic with less traffic around him as a DE. Plus he could play next to Demarcus Ware on the weak side which really makes the offense think about how they are going to stop both of these guys from coming at their QB from the backside (most QB's are right handed).

What do you guys think?

 

[Real1st]

Scenario #2.

We need a true 3-4 NT.

 

[dbair1967]

Probably niether one.

Canty isnt worth breaking the bank for so I let him walk. Nobody we can draft at NT will be even remotely as good as Jay Ratliff, so counting on to come in and start is wishful thinking.

 

[dcfanatic]

Probably niether one.

Canty isnt worth breaking the bank for so I let him walk. Nobody we can draft at NT will be even remotely as good as Jay Ratliff, so counting on to come in and start is wishful thinking.

So if Canty leaves you don't think Ratliff takes his job there?

I think he definitely does.

 

[Real1st]

Probably niether one.

Canty isnt worth breaking the bank for so I let him walk. Nobody we can draft at NT will be even remotely as good as Jay Ratliff, so counting on to come in and start is wishful thinking.

We don't need a NT that can rush the passer like Ratliff. We need someone to occupy blockers and clog up the middle. Ratliff will do a better job at DE than Canty.

 

[Thick 'N Hearty]

If Canty is gone, Igor will be brought in. I still think we draft a NT, though.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

IMO. I go with #2. Here's a few reasons why I feel this way.

After your #1 scenario called for "overpaying" Canty, I could never guess.

Like most others, I'd let Canty go. I still like Hatcher -- he can at the very least fill in until a rookie DE (or a rookie NT if Rat goes to end) comes along enough to play meaningful snaps.

I wouldn't totally rule out Olshansky, though. Someone will probably overpay him, but these are tough economic times and you never know... If the first wave of big offers pass without him signing a deal and the prices become reasonable, I bet he'd like to play for a familiar coach and system again.

But really, this is one of those times where I completely trust what Wade and the staff thinks. He's coached this D for 30 years and does know talent. If he likes Hatcher or the DEs available to us in this draft and thinks Canty is expendable, fine. If he thinks the backups aren't really any good and/or he doesn't like the DEs in this draft so we should keep Canty or go for Igor, that's fine too.

With so many other weird things going on with the team right now, this is one area I'm just going to sit back and enjoy watching develop. It'll be very interesting and I do think we'll make the right move.

 

[theogt]

I have no desire whatsoever to move Ratliff out of the NT spot. He's fine against the rush and his pressure up the middle against the past is damn near irreplaceable.

 

[skinsscalper]

I have no desire whatsoever to move Ratliff out of the NT spot. He's fine against the rush and his pressure up the middle against the past is damn near irreplaceable.

I'm not in favor of moving a guy that just made the Pro-Bowl to a different position. Draft for some depth there and look elsewhere to fill the void at DE. Whether it's the through the draft, FA, or current roster.

 

[AsthmaField]

I have no desire whatsoever to move Ratliff out of the NT spot. He's fine against the rush and his pressure up the middle against the past is damn near irreplaceable.

I kind of feel this way too. His inside pressure has kept QB's from stepping up in the pocket and allowed Ware to reach the 20 sack mark.

I do think Rat would be a good DE, and playing him next to Ware would be nice... but I'm not really prepared to see Jay move out of that NT spot yet.

Plus, I think a DE is easier to find a pass rusher at than a NT is.

 

[dcfanatic]

I have no desire whatsoever to move Ratliff out of the NT spot. He's fine against the rush and his pressure up the middle against the past is damn near irreplaceable.

I love Ratliff.

But I don't love having games where teams run over us like the Giants did.

I think we need to go get a true NT.

Raliff can still be just as affective at the DE spot IMO.

 

[dbair1967]

So if Canty leaves you don't think Ratliff takes his job there?

I think he definitely does.

no, I dont

they will either sign a mid range free agent to start there, allow Hatcher a real chance to win the job or draft somebody

3-4 DE's are easier to find than 3-4 NT's...we have a probowl NT

 

[dbair1967]

I love Ratliff.

But I don't love having games where teams run over us like the Giants did.

I think we need to go get a true NT.

Raliff can still be just as affective at the DE spot IMO.

Remind me again, how many yds rushing did the Giants get in the 2nd game?

They didnt run much in the first half of the first game either...the defense wore down because our offense did nothing that week.

 

[theogt]

I love Ratliff.

But I don't love having games where teams run over us like the Giants did

Are you talking about the first Giants game, because surely you're not talking about the second game. In the first, they had 3.5 yards per carry on runs "up the middle."

 

[Big Country]

#1. The Cowboys overpay for Chris Canty and then draft a NT later in the draft.

This means the Def Line starters remain the same and the rotation changes a bit thru FA and the draft. Tank is gone, Bowen likely to be resigned, rookie NT later in the draft gets some sporadic playing time.

OR

#2. The Cowboys let Chris Canty walk (Ratliff moves to DE) and then the Cowboys use their first pick in the draft (2nd round, #51 overall) on a NT.

This means the rookie NT is asked to step in ASAP and at least split equal time with another NT we pick up in FA and maybe even find on the roster as a DE like Hatcher drops down inside. And we see Ratliff back at DE where he began his career.
--------------------------------------------------

IMO. I go with #2. Here's a few reasons why I feel this way.

Canty is an ok player who occasionally makes a dynamic play. But he isn't a threat to go get the QB and he will never be an elite DE.

We haven't seen the defense play in a dominant fashion for any prolonged period of time either with this current setup. So I don't see where we should be afraid to make some changes.

I really want to see Ratliff as a DE now that he's become an elite player. I know he's a great NT, but I feel he could be even more more dynamic with less traffic around him as a DE. Plus he could play next to Demarcus Ware on the weak side which really makes the offense think about how they are going to stop both of these guys from coming at their QB from the backside (most QB's are right handed).

What do you guys think?

I take number 2 myself... we need some quality in the middle of our DL... hopefully a #2 draft pick could come in and pay dividends...

I'd love to see Rat back at DE... remember his rookie year when he started his first game at Seattle? BP decided to begin the game with the nickel defense... I'm pretty sure that was the scenario... Anyway, remember how awesome he was that game? non-stop motor and in the backfield constantly... Barber had extensive playing time that game as well. memories...

 

[Big Country]

Remind me again, how many yds rushing did the Giants get in the 2nd game?

They didnt run much in the first half of the first game either...the defense wore down because our offense did nothing that week.

correct... that pick six didn't help our D either... totally worn out by the end

 

[SLATEmosphere]

I'd love to get Brace with our first pick..have him anchor this defense for 10+ years. Imagine Rat and Ware on the same side...you have to block someone...

 

[dcfanatic]

Are you talking about the first Giants game, because surely you're not talking about the second game. In the first, they had 3.5 yards per carry on runs "up the middle."

Wait. We can't say that our defense allowing a few 200 yard plus rushing games is ok.

We also allowed 4.2 ypc. This has to improve.

The Ravens ran up the middle on us. The Rams did some damage on us up the middle too.

We let up over 106 yards a game rushing this season. And no, we aren't taking out a few games where we allowed big numbers because they count too.

Not only do they count, but we lost all three of those games.

First Giants game, Rams, Ravens. I would have taken one of those games as a win and been playing a playoff game.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Wait. We can't say that our defense allowing a few 200 yard plus rushing games is ok.

We also allowed 4.2 ypc. This has to improve.

The Ravens ran up the middle on us. The Rams did some damage on us up the middle too.

We let up over 106 yards a game rushing this season. And no, we aren't taking out a few games where we allowed big numbers because they count too.

Not only do they count, but we lost all three of those games.

First Giants game, Rams, Ravens. I would have taken one of those games as a win and been playing a playoff game.

I agree 100%. There's always room to improve and we need a run stuffer at NT..not a sack artist. Look at the great 3-4 defenses in the NFL..Casey Hampton..Haloti Nnata. I believe that Brace could be those guys.

 

[jazzcat22]

After your #1 scenario called for "overpaying" Canty, I could never guess.

Like most others, I'd let Canty go. I still like Hatcher -- he can at the very least fill in until a rookie DE (or a rookie NT if Rat goes to end) comes along enough to play meaningful snaps.

I wouldn't totally rule out Olshansky, though. Someone will probably overpay him, but these are tough economic times and you never know... If the first wave of big offers pass without him signing a deal and the prices become reasonable, I bet he'd like to play for a familiar coach and system again.

But really, this is one of those times where I completely trust what Wade and the staff thinks. He's coached this D for 30 years and does know talent. If he likes Hatcher or the DEs available to us in this draft and thinks Canty is expendable, fine. If he thinks the backups aren't really any good and/or he doesn't like the DEs in this draft so we should keep Canty or go for Igor, that's fine too.

With so many other weird things going on with the team right now, this is one area I'm just going to sit back and enjoy watching develop. It'll be very interesting and I do think we'll make the right move.

Not when it involves the NFL to obtain a player. They will pay.