Stephen Jones sees Jay Ratliff as nose tackle

February, 22, 2012
2/22/12
4:49
PM CT
INDIANAPOLIS -- For those wondering whether the Cowboys will move Jay Ratliff to defensive end in 2012, there’s this answer from Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones:

“I still see Ratliff as our starting nose tackle," Jones said. "Will he see action out there [at defensive end]? I mean you never totally rule it out, but right now we still see him as our nose.”

Earlier this offseason head coach Jason Garrett did not shoot down the chances of the Cowboys moving to a 4-3 defense in 2012, which would involve Ratliff sliding away from the center. He played defensive tackle when the Cowboys employed their nickel defense, with DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer at defensive end.

Ratliff has played in the last four Pro Bowls but he had only two sacks in 2011, his lowest total since becoming a full-time player in 2006. In 2008-09, he had 13.5 sacks and 64 quarterback pressures. In 2010-11, he has 5.5 sacks and 28 pressures.
Todd Archer joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2010. He's covered the NFL since 1997 and the Cowboys since 2003. He covered the Bengals and Dolphins before arriving in Dallas. A Massachusetts native, Archer lives in the Dallas area with his wife and two children.

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