BLUE 1,026 Posted October 4, 2012 BRANDON GEORGE Staff writer bgeorge@dallasnews.com Published: 04 October 2012 12:03 AM IRVING — For the last month, Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff has walked around Valley Ranch with a scowl across his face, the kind of look that’s made opposing offensive linemen tremble over the last seven years. But on a bright and sunny Wednesday, Ratliff had a different appearance. He was smiling and laughing with his teammates on the practice field and in the locker room. For the first time since suffering a left high ankle sprain in a preseason game Aug. 25 against St. Louis, Ratliff practiced Wednesday. “Man, it’s been a long time since we’ve been out here,” Ratliff said just before practice started as he smirked at some of his teammates who were lining up to begin stretching. Ratliff back on the practice field — and cheerful — was a welcome sight for the Cowboys, who enter the bye week at 2-2 and in need of a kick-start after an embarrassing performance on national TV in Monday night’s 34-18 loss to Chicago. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after the loss to the Bears that he expects Ratliff to play in their next game Oct. 14 at Baltimore. The Cowboys came into Monday night with the NFL’s top-ranked defense but that doesn’t mean they haven’t missed Ratliff. “He’s an All-Pro nose tackle and he has been for a reason,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s been one of the best players at his position throughout his career. So he’s not only a really productive player but he’s also a physical leader, an emotional leader for our team. Guys respond to him, rally around him.” Ratliff, who has been in the last four Pro Bowls, is an integral part of the Cowboys’ defensive line. He often occupies double-teams, allowing the linebackers to get free and make plays. Ratliff is an ideal complement to athletic inside linebackers Sean Lee and Bruce Carter. With defenses having to account for Ratliff, Lee and Carter should be able to make more plays on the ball. “Any time you have a full complement of guys who [defenses] are concerned about up front, that’s going to help the other guys,” Garrett said. “That frees up the other guys’ opportunities. You get more single blocks up front when they’re doubling [Ratliff].” Josh Brent and Sean Lissemore have filled in admirably for Ratliff in his absence, but the Cowboys’ run defense has taken a step backward. The run defense ranked seventh in the NFL last season (99.1 yards allowed per game) but is 17th in the league this season (108 ypg allowed) without Ratliff manning the middle. “Does [Ratliff] make a big difference not being in there? Sure he does,” defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said. “He is the best nose tackle in football. You can’t take a person like Jay out of your lineup and expect it not to affect you some because it definitely will.” Ratliff played a little in one preseason game and missed all of the Cowboys’ off-season practices because of plantar fasciitis in his foot, so his conditioning probably won’t be in midseason form. But the former 2005 seventh-round pick out of Auburn is as athletic as any nose tackle in the league, so as long as his foot and ankle injuries don’t re-emerge, Ratliff should be able to get up to speed quickly. The Cowboys certainly expect major impact from the 31-year-old Ratliff, whom they signed to a five-year, $40 million contract extension just before the start of last season that will keep him in Dallas through 2017. “For the last four years, there hasn’t been a better nose tackle in the NFL than Jay Ratliff,” Brent said. “He’s a natural leader on this team. He brings leadership with his intensity, the way he plays. He brings experience. It’s Jay Ratliff. What else is there to say?” On Wednesday, there was no need for words. Ratliff’s smile said it all. He’s happy to be back. Follow Brandon George on Twitter at @dmn_george Source: The Dallas Morning News Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bucman 891 Posted October 4, 2012 Doesn't matter when Romo is throwing pick 6s all game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenGone 35 Posted October 4, 2012 Doesn't matter when Romo is throwing pick 6s all game. You can count on Romo having a game like that at least once a year, so I'm glad we got that out of the way early in the season. Ratliff will make a huge difference. If the coaches can get the safety spot figured out, Dallas's D will be back on track. Even with that shit-game on Monday, their D is still statistically top 5, and still #1 against the pass. Ratliff will help with the run, making them more balanced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted October 6, 2012 You can count on Romo having a game like that at least once a year, so I'm glad we got that out of the way early in the season. Ratliff will make a huge difference. If the coaches can get the safety spot figured out, Dallas's D will be back on track. Even with that shit-game on Monday, their D is still statistically top 5, and still #1 against the pass. Ratliff will help with the run, making them more balanced. Not so sure I'd agree with that so long as Dallas' offensive line is as bad as it is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
