Is it time to be worried about Jay Ratliff in the 2013 season?

Jay Ratliff hasn't practiced with the Dallas Cowboys since he strained his hamstring during the conditioning test to open up training camp. Although we hear reports that Ratliff should be fine and back with the Cowboys in time for the regular season, it is troubling to know that one of the centerpieces of the Cowboys 4-3 defense won't be able to practice until the team heads back to Dallas.

Is it time to be worried about Jay Ratliff in the 2013 season?

It is a legitimate question since he hasn't been able to practice with the Cowboys, and based on his injury plagued 2012 season, there is reason for concern. The Cowboys need a healthy Ratliff wreaking havoc along the defensive line this season because they simply don't have the depth to play without him. One of the biggest reasons for switching to the 4-3 alignment was to get more out of Ratliff by having him face less double teams than he’s faced in his career.

Ratliff will be 32-years old when the season starts and having been doubled teamed his entire career, Ratliff’s already begun to wear down a bit. The Cowboys saw him as a great fit as a 3-technique in Monte Kiffin’s Tampa 2 defense, but if Ratliff can’t get onto the field it might not make a difference how good he can be if he never plays. The scheme seems like a perfect match but without Ratliff getting enough practice time, we’ll never know.

It takes time and repetition to fully integrate a player into a new scheme and Ratliff is losing valuable time, not only for his learning curve, but also to get himself in football shape. All the side drills in the world can’t prepare Ratliff for the rigors of the NFL season and he needs to get back soon.

The Dallas Cowboys are banking on a healthy Jay Ratliff in order to make the transition into the 4-3 alignment a smooth one, but for the second offseason in a row injuries have slowed him down. The panic button on Ratliff will soon be at a very high level, let’s hope the Cowboys don’t have to push it.

by: Ben Grimaldi