News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff was pulled in Week 15 against the Buccaneers as a precaution. Ratliff, who has been dealing with a ribs injury, was pulled after Dallas built up a 28-0 lead in the second quarter. He did not register a tackle prior to leaving the game.
Analysis: Ratliff could have stayed in the game, but the Cowboys decided to err on the side of caution. While he's still a key component in Dallas' defense, Ratliff is barely worth owning in Fantasy IDP leagues at this point in the season.
News: Dallas DL Jay Ratliff recorded his second sack of the season in Week 13 against Arizona. He got to Kevin Kolb, which was one of five sacks for Dallas. Ratliff finished the game with four tackles, three solo.
Analysis: Ratliff now has 33 tackles on the season for the Cowboys. While he's still a key component in Dallas' defense, Ratliff is barely worth owning in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff has agreed to a five-year contract extension worth around $40 million that includes $18 million guaranteed.
Analysis: Ratliff has been a perfect three-technique lineman for the Cowboys. He dropped to 3 1/2 sacks in 2010 and his tackles production has declined each of the last two seasons, but the Cowboys still feel he is an important part of their defense. Ratliff is just a low-end Fantasy DL heading into Week 1.
News: Dallas DL Jay Ratliff was able to register sack 3 1/2 of the season in the Week 14 loss to the Eagles. In the third quarter, he penetrated the line and plowed straight into QB Michael Vick for the sack. Ratliff added three tackles -- two solo -- on the night.
Analysis: Though he might not reach his Pro Bowl numbers from a season ago, he has picked it up recently, racking up 2 1/2 sacks in his last four games. Utilize him as a low-end Fantasy option heading into the Week 15 game against the Redskins.
News: Dallas DL Jay Ratliff has been having a down season by the numbers, he has just 2 1/2 sacks and six QB pressures. “I think he gets a lot of attention," coach Jason Garrett said. "I think people know who Jay Ratliff is. Teams understand how disruptive he can be.”
Analysis: Ratliff is now a low-end DL in the majority of IDP leagues with all of the attention. He does have the ability to create sacks but does little else. Only use him if needed in Week 13 at the Colts.
News: Dallas DL Jay Ratliff made the most of his Thanksgiving Day game against New Orleans in Week 12. Ratliff had one tackle for a sack against Saints QB Drew Brees. He now has 3.5 sacks on the season.
Analysis: Ratliff is a low-end DL in the majority of IDP leagues. He does have the ability to create sacks but does little else. Only use him if needed in Week 13 at the Colts.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff (knee) was activated for Week 11 against Detroit, as expected. He had been listed as probable on the injury report and was declared fit to play on Friday.
Analysis: Ratliff has not played at the Pro Bowl level that owners have come accustomed to, but he still can disrupt an offense. Use the former Auburn Tiger as a low-end Fantasy option moving forward.
News: Cowboys DT Jay Ratliff (knee) was able to practice Friday and will likely play against the Lions in Week 11. Ratliff said Thursday it didn’t matter how banged up he might feel. “I’m going on Sunday.” He sat out on Wednesday, but practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and went full speed on Friday. The only other backup DT on the roster is rookie Josh Brent.
Analysis: Ratliff has not played at the Pro Bowl level that owners have come accustomed to, but he still can disrupt an offense. Use the former Auburn Tiger as a low-end Fantasy option moving forward.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff registered just three tackles (two solo) in the Week 9 loss to the Packers. In the first quarter, he blocked a Mason Crosby field goal attempt to keep Green Bay off of the scoreboard at that point.
Analysis: Ratliff has not kept pace with his last few years, but then again, what Cowboys have? He remains a low-end Fantasy DL in IDP formats heading into Week 10 against the Giants.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff did not have his finest performance in Week 7 against the Giants. He recorded just two tackles and a quarterback hit in the 41-35 loss.
Analysis: Ratliff only has one sack on the year with 14 tackles and a pass defended. He will have to make a serious push to reach the numbers he posted in 2009 but has 10 games to do so. Still, with his recent struggles, Ratliff should be considered a low-end Fantasy DL in all IDP formats heading into Week 8 against Jaguars.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff recorded his first sack of the season in Week 6 against the Vikings. Ratliff finished with three tackles, one solo in the 24-21 loss.
Analysis: Ratliff is more of a run-stuffer than anything else. He might get a sack or two this season, but normally doesn't stat consistently enough to be useful in Fantasy. Consider him a low-end Fantasy DL in all IDP formats heading into Week 7 against Giants.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff recorded four tackles, three solo in Week 5 against the Titans.
Analysis: Ratliff is more of a run-stuffer than anything else. He might get a sack or two this season, but normally doesn't stat consistently enough to be useful in Fantasy. Consider him a low-end Fantasy DL in all IDP formats heading into Week 6.
News: Dallas DL Jay Ratliff had two tackles Sunday at Houston in Week 3. He now has five tackles on the season.
Analysis: Ratliff is more of a run-stuffer than anything else. He had six sacks in 2009, but don't expect him to do much to help your Fantasy team this year. Dallas has a bye in Week 4 before facing the Titans in Week 5. Consider Ratliff a low-end Fantasy DL in all IDP formats.
News: Dallas DL Jay Ratliff now has three tackles after two games in the 2010 season. Ratliff managed two tackles during the 27-20 Week 2 loss against the Bears.
Analysis: Ratliff, who had six sacks last season, has just three tackles in two games and does not yet have a sack. As an interior lineman, Ratliff is good for little more than the occasional sack. Think of him as a No. 3 DL in Fantasy IDP leagues for Week 3 at Houston.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff, who recorded six sacks last season, went without one Week 1 at Washington. He finished with one solo tackle.
Analysis: As an interior lineman, Ratliff is good for little more than the occasional sack. Think of him as a No. 3 DL in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: The Cowboys handed out their awards for the 2009 season during a kickoff luncheon on Wednesday and DL Jay Ratliff was named defensive player of the year after earning All-Pro honors last season. It was also the second straight year he made the Pro Bowl.
Analysis: Ratliff has made a pretty nice NFL career for himself after being a seventh-round draft choice in 2005. He has 143 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks in 66 regular-season games. He has totaled 13 1/2 sacks his last two seasons and is a perfect fit as a nose tackle in Dallas' 3-4 defense. Consider him a solid No. 3 Fantasy DL.
News: In the Cowboys' Week 16 win at the Redskins, these defenders not only amassed big stats but also helped the team pitch a shutout: LB Bradie James (12 solo tackles), DB Orlando Scandrick (four solo tackles, forced fumble), CB Terence Newman (solo tackle, interception) LB Anthony Spencer (five total tackles, half sack), DL Jay Ratliff (three total tackles, two sacks) and DL Igor Olshansky (three total tackles, half sack).
Analysis: The Cowboys find themselves in a meaningful Week 17 game against the Eagles at home -- the winner will be the NFC East division winner and land a home game in the playoffs (potentially against the loser of the game). James, Newman, Spencer and Ratliff should be considered for Fantasy use in that matchup.
News: The Cowboys had several defenders play well Thursday against the Raiders. DE DeMarcus Ware had one tackle for a sack and a forced fumble. LB Keith Brooking had nine tackles. DB Terence Newman had two tackles. LB Bradie James had five tackles. LB Anthony Spencer had eight tackles and two sacks. DL Jay Ratliff had five tackles and recovered a fumble.
Analysis: The Cowboys defense continues to play well and should do a good job in Week 13 at the Giants. Play all your regular options in IDP leagues next week.
News: Several Dallas defenders played well Sunday at the Eagles. DeMarcus Ware had four tackles, Keith Brooking had five tackles and a sack, Bradie James had five tackles, Jay Ratliff had five tackles and two sacks, Michael Jenkins had two tackles and an interception and Gerald Sensabaugh had six tackles and an interception.
Analysis: The Cowboys defense has been playing well the past four games, and hopefully that will continue. Look for Dallas to pressure Green Bay in Week 10 and plan on using all of your regular IDP options against the Packers.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff, who had 7 1/2 sacks last year, recorded his second of the season Week 7 against the Falcons. He also had four tackles, three solo, and forced a fumble.
Analysis: Ratliff gets enough sacks to matter in Fantasy, but he's still an inconsistent source. Treat him as a No. 3 Fantasy DL in IDP leagues.
News: Dallas DL Jay Ratliff had two tackles Sunday against the Giants.
Analysis: Ratliff is a No. 3 DL in IDP leagues and is worth using if needed in Week 16 against Baltimore.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff totaled five tackles (one solo) and one sack during a Week 14 loss to the Steelers. He also had one pass defense. Ratliff has seven sacks on the season.
Analysis: Ratliff has been exceptionally strong from the nose tackle position in 2008 and continues to add onto his career high in sacks. He has quietly developed into a nice No. 3 Fantasy DL since he doesn't always rack up a lot of tackles.
News: Dallas DL Jay Ratliff had three tackles Thursday against Seattle.
Analysis: Ratliff is a low-end No. 2 DL in IDP leagues and is worth using in Week 14 at Pittsburgh.
News: In the Cowboys' 14-10 win at the Redskins in Week 11, key defensive players included: LB Bradie James (10 total tackles), DL Jay Ratliff (six total tackles, two sacks), CB Terence Newman (seven total tackles, interception) and LB DeMarcus Ware (six total tackles, one sack).
Analysis: All four of these Cowboys warrant use in IDP league play, with James and Ware easily the most prominent players of the quartet. The Cowboys host the 49ers in Week 12.
News: Dallas DL Jay Ratliff and LB Bradie James each had sacks Sunday against Tampa Bay. Ratliff finished with two tackles, and James had six stops.
Analysis: Ratliff and James are low-end players in IDP leagues and should only be used if needed in Week 9 at the Giants.
News: Dallas DL Jay Ratliff recorded a sack of Carson Palmer in Week 5's win over the Bengals. Ratliff had five total tackles, to boot.
Analysis: Ratliff now has three sacks on the season but has just 14 tackles. Ratliff has never had more than 30 tackles in a season or four sacks. He has played a much bigger role early on in 2008 and could be on his way to a career season. Still, he remains more of a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff recovered a Donovan McNabb fumble with 8:59 left to play Week 2 against Philadelphia that eventually led to the game-winning score eight plays later as Marion Barber scored from 1-yard out. Dallas won the game 41-37 as Ratliff had four tackles (three solo) and one sack. He was also attributed with two tackles for loss and one quarterback hit.
Analysis: Ratliff has never had more than 30 tackles in a season or four sacks. He has played a much bigger role early on in 2008 and could be on his way to a career season. Still, he remains more of a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: The Cowboys have ruled DL Jay Ratliff out for Week 17 at Washington after a knee injury held him out of practice all week.
Analysis: Ratliff has more value in reality than in Fantasy as a space-filler on the line. If you happen to own him in a league, though, you should obviously bench him.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff recorded two tackles -- one solo -- and 1/2 during a Week 16 win against the Panthers. He now has 30 tackles and three sacks this season. He has 1 1/2 sacks in his last two games.
Analysis: The Cowboys locked up Ratliff with a five-year extension a few weeks back, but is far more valuable to his real team than Fantasy owners. Leave him off Fantasy rosters at this time.
News: Cowboys DL Jay Ratliff recorded four tackles, including a sack, Week 15 against the Eagles.
Analysis: Ratliff is an interior lineman who takes up space more than anything else. Leave him on waivers in Fantasy.
News: Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff, a former seventh-round pick who made the most of his unexpected chance to be a starter this season, got a $20.5 million, five-year contract extension Friday. Ratliff, who took over as the starter when Jason Ferguson suffered a season-ending torn biceps in the opener, got an $8 million signing bonus. The 6-foot-4, 298-pound Ratliff has 24 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and 13 quarterback pressures.
Analysis: Ratliff, a seventh-round pick out of Auburn in 2005, would have been a restricted free agent after this season. Even since the midseason addition of Tank Johnson, Ratliff has kept the starting job and played the majority of snaps. With Ferguson and Johnson both also signed through at least next season, Ratliff can also play defensive end. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: Notable inactives for the Lions-Cowboys game in Week 17 include: Lions QB Dan Orlovsky (No. 3 QB), FS Daniel Bullocks, CB Dee McCann, LB Teddy Lehman, TE Casey FitzSimmons and DE Claude Harriott. For the Cowboys, CB Jacques Reeves, DB Quincy Butler, SS Abram Elam, DT Montavious Stanley and DE Jay Ratliff are inactive.
Analysis: None of these players should be considered for Fantasy use in the first place.
News: Bill Parcells said Wednesday that DB Jacques Reeves (elbow) and DL Jay Ratliff (shoulder) were questionable for Week 17 vs. Detroit.
Analysis: Neither player should be on Fantasy rosters.
News: The Cowboys defense limited Colts QB Peyton Manning to two touchdowns and forced him to turn the ball over three times in Week 11. LB Demarcus Ware had a sack and forced fumbles, and DL Jay Ratliff had the team's other sack. DB Roy Williams and DB Kevin Burnett had interceptions. Burnett returned his 39 yards for a touchdown.
Analysis: The Cowboys defense did an excellent job against Manning in Week 11. The Cowboys defense is coming around after a slow start and the Cowboys DST should be used in Week 12 against the Bucs. Remember to set them in your lineup by Thursday as the two teams meet on Thanksgiving Day.
News: Kenyon Coleman took over for Marcus Spears (knee) on the left side of the Cowboys line Saturday. Jay Ratliff also is battling for time there. Coach Bill Parcells said he would considering moving right-side starter Chris Canty to the left side if Spears is out for an extended time. He prefers keeping third-round pick Jason Hatcher on the right side. Greg Ellis, a starter from 1998 until late last season, wasn't mentioned as an option. Ellis has talked openly about being upset with his demotion, saying he'd like to be released or traded. Parcells responded Friday by saying Ellis can either follow along or retire. Ellis and Parcells talked on the field for several minutes during a break in Saturday's afternoon practice. After the workout, Ellis said he wanted to wait until Sunday before talking to reporters.
Analysis: None of these IDPs will be worth considering at this point. Spears should be fine and these other guys are depth options and not productive enough.
News: The Cowboys placed linebacker Al Singleton and defensive end Jay Ratliff (ankle) on injured reserve, ending their seasons. Singleton broke a collarbone in Sunday's 34-13 victory against Arizona. The Cowboys signed safeties Tony Dixon and Lynn Scott, both former team members.
Analysis: None of these players is worth owning in Fantasy IDP leagues.
