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Jay Ratliff | Defensive Lineman

Team: Dallas Cowboys
Age / DOB:  (31) / 8/29/1981
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 287
College: Auburn
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Owner Jerry Jones expects DT Jay Ratliff to "flourish" in the Cowboys' new 4-3 defense.
"He will flourish, I emphasize ‘flourish,’ in this defensive scheme," Jones said. "He is a natural 3-technique. He is always highly-respected because he could play nose as well as he could with his forte being quickness, high agility, high motor. He is an integral part of what we’re doing. And I think he’s going to have an outstanding year." Ratliff was at one point considered a candidate for release, but has since restructured his contract, while the Cowboys didn't draft a defensive lineman. May 1 - 7:50 PM
Source: Dallas Morning News

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Player News

Date:
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

ESPN Dallas says Jay Ratliff's roster spot "becomes sketchy" if the Cowboys draft a defensive tackle that can push the pocket.

Ratliff has feuded with Jerry Jones, missed 10 games a year ago and was largely unproductive when actually on the field. He did restructure his contract last month, which makes him a good bet to stick on the roster. Still, it's worth noting that draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Rob Rang both have the Cowboys using the No. 18 overall pick on North Carolina DT Sylvester Williams.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Apr 17 - 9:24 AM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

The Cowboys have restructured DT Jay Ratliff's contract to clear salary cap space.

He converted $3.66 million of his salary into a bonus, saving $2.93 million. Ratliff was a rumored release candidate, but the restructuring likely locks him into a 2013 roster spot. A nose tackle in Dallas' old 3-4, Ratliff is tentatively expected to play "three technique" in Monte Kiffin's new 4-3 scheme.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Mar 11 - 2:52 PM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

ESPN.com's Dan Graziano says DT Jay Ratliff still being on the Cowboys' roster "doesn't make too much sense."

Dallas is back over the salary cap after franchising DE/OLB Anthony Spencer last week, and they need to clear at least $6.8 million by Tuesday at 4PM ET. However, cutting Ratliff won't do them much good. It would only save the Cowboys $1 million against the cap. A restructuring is more likely.
Source: ESPN.com
Mar 10 - 9:56 AM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

The Cowboys have approached DT Jay Ratliff about restructuring his contract.

Ratliff is owed a $5 million salary with a $7 million cap number. In the offseason of the restructure, he's one of many Cowboys approached about the matter.
Source: Calvin Watkins on Twitter
Feb 27 - 10:20 PM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

Coach Jason Garrett "absolutely" expects NT Jay Ratliff to be with the Cowboys in 2013.

Ratliff is due a $5 million salary, but the Cowboys would save just $1 million against the cap by cutting him. Financial reasons aren't behind Ratliff's potential release, though. It's the fact that he was arrested for DWI barely a month after teammate Jerry Brown was killed in a DWI crash with fellow DT Josh Brent.
Source: Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter
Feb 22 - 5:01 PM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

The Cowboys would save $1 million against the salary cap if they release NT Jay Ratliff before June 1.

Ratliff is scheduled to earn $7 million in 2013, but his status with the team has come into question after a Jan. 22 DWI. Ratliff's arrest happened barely a month after Cowboys practice squad LB Jerry Brown died in a DWI accident with teammate Josh Brent. Coupled with Ratliff's late-season shouting match with Jerry Jones, it appears Ratliff is on shaky ground.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Jan 29 - 11:59 AM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

Cowboys NT Jay Ratliff's blood alcohol content at the time of his Tuesday morning DWI was 0.16, twice the legal limit.

Ratliff was arrested after he sideswiped an 18-wheeler with his truck and slammed into a median. Per the arresting officer, Ratliff was also "verbally abusive several times" after being taken to jail. This, coupled with his late-season shouting match with Jerry Jones, only increases the likelihood that Ratliff will be released in the offseason.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Jan 28 - 12:27 PM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

Cowboys NT Jay Ratliff has been arrested for DWI in Grapevine, Texas.

Ratliff crashed his truck into an 18-wheeler in the "early morning hours" Tuesday. According to ESPN Dallas, neither Ratliff nor the truck driver was hurt. The Cowboys have declined comment. It's most unwelcome news for a player who was already on the hot seat in Dallas. Ratliff's arrest also comes barely a month after Jerry Brown's tragic death in a DWI accident with teammate Josh Brent. The odds that Ratliff has played his final down in Dallas have increased dramatically.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Jan 22 - 8:59 PM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

Per ESPN's Ed Werder, the Cowboys believe NT Jay Ratliff will be "a better player" in Monte Kiffin's new 4-3 defense.

Ratliff figures to play both three-technique defensive tackle and the nose in Kiffin's scheme, which relies on front-four pressure to help the secondary. There has been speculation that Ratliff might be released this offseason, but he's the Cowboys' best defensive tackle and was effective when healthy in 2012. Look for Ratliff to return at his scheduled base salary of $5 million.
Jan 11 - 2:21 PM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

DallasCowboys.com considers NT Jay Ratliff "a once-elite player whose production has dramatically declined after signing a massive deal," and believes the Cowboys should renegotiate his contract or grant him his release.

Ouch. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones must not spend much time reading his team's website. Of course, it's likely Jones agrees after getting into a "volcanic" locker room argument with Ratliff last month. Signed through 2016, Ratliff is due $5 million next season after missing 10 games in 2012. Dallas' run defense suffered in Ratliff's absence, but he won't be back at that price.
Source: dallascowboys.com
Jan 9 - 4:37 PM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

Cowboys declared NT Jay Ratliff, RB Phillip Tanner, C/G Kevin Kowalski, G David Arkin, G Ronald Leary, DT Robert Callaway and OT Darrion Weems inactive for Week 17 against the Redskins.

The Cowboys enter their Week 17 all-or-nothing tilt relatively healthy, at least as far as the players who aren't already on injured reserve. Although he's yet to be placed on I.R., Ratliff is done for the season, and won't be ready for a potential playoff game.
Sun, Dec 30, 2012 07:14:00 PM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

Cowboys NT Jay Ratliff will be sidelined 3-6 weeks after undergoing sports hernia surgery Thursday morning.

The Cowboys website confirms Ratliff's "season is over," and he will likely go on injured reserve this week. Unless they make the playoffs, it's a non-issue. Plagued by ankle and groin injuries, Ratliff has managed just 16 tackles and one shouting match with owner Jerry Jones in six games this season. The 31-year-old is due a prohibitive $5 million in 2013.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Thu, Dec 13, 2012 03:07:00 PM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

CBS Dallas reports that Cowboys NT Jay Ratliff and owner Jerry Jones had a "volcanic" exchange following Sunday's win over the Bengals, regarding Ratliff's seventh missed game this season.

Ratliff has missed action with foot, groin, and ankle injuries this season. Per CBS Dallas, Jones told Ratliff, "We need you" in the locker room after the win, and the notoriously irascible Ratliff responded by going jaw-to-jaw with the owner in a heated exchange. "They're both passionate men and great men and they want to win, that's all it is," one source said. "But they were in each other's faces. People had to intervene." Ratliff's backup is Josh Brent, who was obviously unavailable for the game after allegedly contributing to the death of practice squad player Jerry Brown on Saturday.
Source: CBS Dallas
Sun, Dec 9, 2012 06:41:00 PM
Jay Ratliff - DL - Cowboys

Cowboys NT Jay Ratlif (groin) is listed as out for Week 14.

Ratliff was also out for Week 13 against the Eagles, and Bryce Brown shredded Dallas' sputtering run defense. They'll face BenJarvus Green-Ellis this week.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Fri, Dec 7, 2012 02:50:00 PM

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