Why the Ratliff hate?

[Cowboy Brian]

In 2009 he was a top 3 DT in the league.. Now some people are talking about out right cutting him? Why.

 

[perrykemp]

In 2009 he was a top 3 DT in the league.. Now some people are talking about out right cutting him? Why.

I love Rat. He has played his heart out for us the last 4-5 years. One of my favorite players.

Having said that, 2009 was two seasons ago. He has never been a big guy, he didn't have a very good season last year, and he if is unable to be a above average pass-rushing NT he probably doesn't have much of a future because it is pretty much impossible for him to be anything but serviceable (at best) stopping the run as a 3-4 NT.

I'm hoping beyond hope he can return to his 2009 form -- however, he's 30 this season and I worry the pounding has begun to take it's toll.

 

[skinsscalper]

In 2009 he was a top 3 DT in the league.. Now some people are talking about out right cutting him? Why.

Outright cutting him would be dumber than dumb. Count me in the group that favors his re-assignment to DE, though. Rat was getting absolutely man handled up the middle last night on the double team. It's a copy cat league. Other teams are going to see that and copy that strategy. It would be different if we had playmaking MLBs to take advantage of the situation, but to this point, we don't.

But cutting him? Come on man! (not directed at you R2A).

 

[Risen Star]

Yeah. No hate. Just move him back to DE.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

He is not playing well and has not played well for two years. Its not hard to figure out.

 

[hornitosmonster]

people want him cut? :bang2:

We have a big fan base but the truth is our fan base as a whole is not very football savvy/smart.

 

[Frozen700]

Yeah. No hate. Just move him back to DE.

This....

 

[Frozen700]

He is not playing well and has not played well for two years. Its not hard to figure out.

I wouldn't say that

He's just not a great NT, at this point in the 3-4

 

[dboy214]

this is EXACTLY what i'm talking about with Cowboys fans/organization/team ALWAYS LIVING IN THE PAST!!!!

WAKE UP DUDE ITS NOT 2009 ANYMORE!

NFL IS A PHYSICAL GAME! PLAYERS CAN DETERIORATE QUICKLY IN 2 YEARS!

 

[iceberg]

In 2009 he was a top 3 DT in the league.. Now some people are talking about out right cutting him? Why.

some fans just have to have a target at all times. most of the previous low hanging fruit it gone so they have to find someone else to rag on w/o mercy.

 

[iceberg]

this is EXACTLY what i'm talking about with Cowboys fans/organization/team ALWAYS LIVING IN THE PAST!!!!

WAKE UP DUDE ITS NOT 2009 ANYMORE!

NFL IS A PHYSICAL GAME! PLAYERS CAN DETERIORATE QUICKLY IN 2 YEARS!

but a stuck shift key will last forever...

 

[LarryCanadian]

Teams figured out that pounding him and double teaming him when he's in the middle is a mismatch, because of weight. He's strong and got a great motor and very agile, but if they gameplan and take that away from him, he doesn't have the mass to be as effective as he was in the past. Nobody at a lean 300 is gonna anchor with a guard and center on them.

PLUS, the guy has been beat up over the years. Overused and undersized in the middle and I think he's worn down. Great attitude, but his play last year was distinctly less effective than it was the year before, and it is tough to expect guys to rebound to peak levels with his miles and now that teams plan around him.

I agree with using him as more of the roving pass rusher and putting bigger guys in middle to take on double teams and clog the running lanes.

We'll see.

LarryCanadian

 

[casmith07]

In 2009 he was a top 3 DT in the league.. Now some people are talking about out right cutting him? Why.

Because people on this forum overreact.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I don't understand why people think he would be so much better at end. I guess it's because his weight is closer to an end's, but that's pretty simplistic. He's still not built like a 34 end with the height, long arms, and sheer strength those guys usually have.

And in a 34, those ends are usually just hold-up guys anyway, which negates his one big positive of great quickness.

 

[burmafrd]

no guy weighing 285 lbs can be an every down NT. They need to rest him often or move him around.

 

[Eskimo]

I brought up the issue with cutting him but it was more in gest than anything. He isn't playing up to his contract as a 3-4 NT - he is distinctly a below average player in this role now.

He probably isn't going to be a very good 3-4 end at this stage either.

His value now is mostly as a DT pass rusher in the nickel. Let's see if he can thrive if the NT snaps in the base defense are distributed elsewhere.

 

[casmith07]

lol.

"he isn't playing up to his contract" -- the go-to phrase for Zoners that hate on players.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Three different coaching staffs have played him at the NT spot.

When will people accept that he's not going to be playing DE? Fans/media have been pushing this for years and yet he's still playing NT.

 

[perrykemp]

lol.

"he isn't playing up to his contract" -- the go-to phrase for Zoners that hate on players.

Cas:

I respect your opinion.. what is your $0.02 on Rat?

 

[Bluestang]

I don't understand why people think he would be so much better at end. I guess it's because his weight is closer to an end's, but that's pretty simplistic. He's still not built like a 34 end with the height, long arms, and sheer strength those guys usually have.

And in a 34, those ends are usually just hold-up guys anyway, which negates his one big positive of great quickness.

Rat is getting demolished at the POA by double teams. If he can just take one guy then we will be fine, but teams are going after him with two and are having great success. I love the guy but he not doing his job as a NT and it's hurting the base D.