Will Ratliff's return really be worth the wait?

[erod]

Do not play Ratliff against Chicago.

It's the dreaded high ankle sprain, so with the bye coming up, there's three full weeks between Tampa and the kickoff at Baltimore. Take advantage of it.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

What kind of question is this? Ratliff is one of our best players we damn sure need him back.

I think its a fair question...at this point I think we all agree Rat is not what he once was and with a high ankle sprain my expectations are low for him.

 

[Future]

Oh Rat is worth the wait -- one thing that I hope is that we can limit his snaps a little to make him more effective in the pass rush -- I think we've got a bit more faith in Brent and Lissemore now, so we can do that

That's exactly what will happen...I think :laugh2:

Brent's progression as a run-stuffer means that Rat can be used more exclusively as a pass rusher. With him in there we can have pass rush packages like:

Ware - Liss - Rat - Hatcher - Spencer

Ware - Spencer - Rat - Hatcher - Butler

Ware - Hatcher/Liss - Rat - Spencer

He's still a great interior passrusher, and looked explosive in preseason before he got hurt.

 

[Frozen700]

Rat makes our pass rush more deadly.....

We need interior push

 

[Wood]

I think even with the high ankle sprain he's still the best defensive linemen we have.

I think he is shell of his former self even before the injury.

 

[KJJ]

Im starting to think his high ankle sprain will prevent Rat from being 100% this year...

Just like when T-New had it years ago, I think people will be expecting big things when he returns but Im wondering if hes even going to produce.

A high ankle sprain won't affect someone on the DL like it would a CB who has to cover.

 

[AbeBeta]

we can have pass rush packages like:

Ware - Spencer - Rat - Hatcher - Butler

Butler has done nothing to deserve a sniff in such a package.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I think he's been displaced by Hatcher.

Lissmore is coming up quickly and the kid, Crawford looks darned good.

The defensive line has some good players on it.

I believe the line is compiled of average to good players but Ratliff is the only one that teams fear and will command double teams. Its nothing against the other guys but more of a credit to what Ratliff is. He's a 5 time Pro Bowler and has deserved it everytime he went.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I think he is shell of his former self even before the injury.

Are you talking about last season or in the preseason? Because in the preseason he looked refreshed and was by far our best defensive player. He was going to have a really good season this year and still may. I don't know about "shell of his former self" but a shell of his former self is still one of the best defensive linemen in the game.

 

[Yoshimitsu]

Yes he is worth the wait because we lack a pass rush up the middle.

 

[Bullet22]

Adding a healthy Rat to the rotation, will only make the D better...

 

[JBond]

i am looking at it as a possible positive

there is no question he is a competitor and our best DL

one of my concerns with ratliff playing NT has been that he is undersized and i have always felt that was an issue in our "december fades", if oyu look at the last NYG game, rat was blocked by a backup OC, that is not typical of his play

so, i am hoping for a positive outcome from his absence in the first part of the year, he will come back hungrier and will be more fresh for later in the year when (hopefully) we are making our playoff push

fingers crossed

Part of our December fades have to do with our defensive players playing too many snaps during the season. Now that we have a little depth, hopefully that issue with resolve itself if Ryan rotates them. That also applies during games. There have been many games where our defense looks good in the first quarter or two, but fade late. There are many factors but tired players are part of it.

 

[DavidAK]

Keep him rested untill the later parts of the season. I would rather develop the younger players right now. They seem to be doing a fine job so far, why mess with that.

 

[Blackspider214]

No because he's ineffective for his size where they line him up anyways. I know, i know, beating a dead horse but it's the truth. Him coming back will not impact this front line that much at all.

 

[RackofRibs]

Ratliff won't be 100% all season. Did everyone forget he'll still be playing with plantar fasciitis? I hope he can still contribute but we saw how kosier played last season