Which scenario do you want to play out?

[Future]

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.

I think he'll be fine as a 3-4 DE on first and second down, but he will be moved back to the middle in nickel and dime situations to rush the passer. But I would rather have a big run-stuffing DT in there than him in our base defense. There were times where he just got blown off the line.

 

[ddh33]

I don't want to overspend for Canty.

I don't know if I want Ratliff to move though. He's a nightmare as a pass-rusher from the inside, and I don't know if he would be quite as good going against those bigger tackles all game long...

So if you just add in Hatcher or Bowen for Canty and keep everything the same, I don't think you would lose too much.

Ratliff's and Spears' versatility do help.

 

[randy932]

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.

Exactly. He prevents the QB from stepping up and making it harder on Ware.

 

[Hostile]

Option #2 for 4 reasons.

1. A true NT in a 3-4 who can clog the middle is great for the whole D.

2. Ratliff's versatility, motor, and natural pass rush skills make him dangerous as a DE.

3. We would probably get a Compensatory Draft pick for losing Canty.

4. If we pay him too much money it means less cap room to fix other needs.

 

[Big Dakota]

We need a big young NT at some point and that point is now. But IMO the only way Rat moves to his best possition(DE) full time is if we not only draft a Brace type but also pick up a Grady Jackson type vet that can play at a high level in case the rookie isn't ready to play more that a few snaps a game. In 2006 i would have bet the house we had our NT of the future when we drafted Montavious Stanley. Never know what the rookies will do.

 

[Canadian BoyzFan]

Any chance Spears could play NT?

 

[the kid 05]

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

I think he definitely does.

no i think Rat stays and hatcher gets his day to shine

 

[theogt]

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

Sure you can, but placing that blame on Ratliff is just plain wrong.

We also allowed 4.2 ypc. This has to improve.

And this has little to do with Ratliff.

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've already shown you that the Giants didn't run well up the middle on us (3.5 yards per carry).

The Ravens had seven runs up the middle. One of those runs was a 77 yard touchdown, which we know was not Ratliff's fault. In those other six runs they averaged 1.5 yards per carry.

The Rams had six runs up the middle for an average of 3.5 yards per carry.

Surely these three examples can't be the best you can come up with.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Option #2 for 4 reasons.

1. A true NT in a 3-4 who can clog the middle is great for the whole D.

2. Ratliff's versatility, motor, and natural pass rush skills make him dangerous as a DE.

3. We would probably get a Compensatory Draft pick for losing Canty.

4. If we pay him too much money it means less cap room to fix other needs.

Wow four great reasons. Especially #4.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Option #2 for 4 reasons.

1. A true NT in a 3-4 who can clog the middle is great for the whole D.

2. Ratliff's versatility, motor, and natural pass rush skills make him dangerous as a DE.

3. We would probably get a Compensatory Draft pick for losing Canty.

4. If we pay him too much money it means less cap room to fix other needs.

That sounds about right to me.

 

[theogt]

Option #2 for 4 reasons.

1. A true NT in a 3-4 who can clog the middle is great for the whole D.

2. Ratliff's versatility, motor, and natural pass rush skills make him dangerous as a DE.

3. We would probably get a Compensatory Draft pick for losing Canty.

4. If we pay him too much money it means less cap room to fix other needs.

I prefer a NT that charges upfield rather than "clogs the middle." Your edge rushing obviously comes from the linebackers, so you need someone inside to force a QB out, or prevents him from stepping up. I don't think Ratliff would ever get 6 sacks from DE in Wade's defense.

 

[bayeslife]

How is something that goes up the middle all Ratliff's fault?

I'm pretty sure there are 2 ILBs that are supposed to help out there as well.

 

[dcfanatic]

I don't want to overspend for Canty.

I don't know if I want Ratliff to move though. He's a nightmare as a pass-rusher from the inside, and I don't know if he would be quite as good going against those bigger tackles all game long...

So if you just add in Hatcher or Bowen for Canty and keep everything the same, I don't think you would lose too much.

Ratliff's and Spears' versatility do help.

He won't be facing the Tackle with Ware on the same side. He will get more one on one stuff with the left guard.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

I prefer a NT that charges upfield rather than "clogs the middle." Your edge rushing obviously comes from the linebackers, so you need someone inside to force a QB out, or prevents him from stepping up. I don't think Ratliff would ever get 6 sacks from DE in Wade's defense.

Ratliff would have a 1-on-1 on almost every down against the guard playing DE. The Tackle is forced to block Ware rushing on the outside and the true NT would take up the center. Ratliff has the center and guard to beat on his pass rushing playing the NT. He physically broke down towards the end of the season and had one and half sack his last 6 games..He's a great player, but could even be greater having 1-on-1 scenarios against the guard.