By Robin Sabin
Earlier this month, during the Cowboys' training camp, a scene unfolded that prompted a double-take. There was Jay Ratliff, lining up at safety next to Gerald Sensabaugh. The fact that Ratliff was deployed in the secondary for that one play underscored both his versatility and the unorthodox nature of new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's system.
It also highlighted the fact that Ratliff may be the ideal player for Ryan's scheme.
Ratliff was the subject of a story that appeared in The Dallas Morning News today. Here is an excerpt:
The main objective of Ryan's scheme, after all, is to generate confusion and mismatches that allow for players like Ratliff to disrupt the offense by taking "that target off his chest," according to defensive line coach Brian Baker.
"In this defense, he will be able to get more one-on-one matchups," defensive end
Marcus Spears added, "and beat guys."
For a player head coach Jason Garrett describes as "quick," "explosive" and "hard to block," the thought that Ratliff could be free to operate at an even higher level has to be equally exciting for the Cowboys as it is distressing for opponents.
Although it's unrealistic to expect that Ratliff will have completely new responsibilities in Ryan's defense, it's safe to assume he won't be stationed exclusively at nose tackle.
In fact, at any given time, Ratliff could be anywhere.
Earlier this month, during the Cowboys' training camp, a scene unfolded that prompted a double-take. There was Jay Ratliff, lining up at safety next to Gerald Sensabaugh. The fact that Ratliff was deployed in the secondary for that one play underscored both his versatility and the unorthodox nature of new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's system.
It also highlighted the fact that Ratliff may be the ideal player for Ryan's scheme.
Ratliff was the subject of a story that appeared in The Dallas Morning News today. Here is an excerpt:
The main objective of Ryan's scheme, after all, is to generate confusion and mismatches that allow for players like Ratliff to disrupt the offense by taking "that target off his chest," according to defensive line coach Brian Baker.
"In this defense, he will be able to get more one-on-one matchups," defensive end
Marcus Spears added, "and beat guys."
For a player head coach Jason Garrett describes as "quick," "explosive" and "hard to block," the thought that Ratliff could be free to operate at an even higher level has to be equally exciting for the Cowboys as it is distressing for opponents.
Although it's unrealistic to expect that Ratliff will have completely new responsibilities in Ryan's defense, it's safe to assume he won't be stationed exclusively at nose tackle.
In fact, at any given time, Ratliff could be anywhere.
