mvn.com: NFL Top 10: Most Valuable Dallas Cowboys (Ratliff better than Where!?!!)

http://mvn.com/outsider/2009/05/nfl-top-10-most-valuable-dallas-cowboys.html

May 22, 2009

By Greg Trippiedi

Continuing with the motif of trying to get equal coverage to all 32 teams here at NFL Outsider, it feels a little weird to point out that the Cowboys have been getting ignored of late, but I have had plenty to say about the Giants, the Eagles, and the Redskins in this space, and haven't really mentioned the ugly stepsister of the NFC East (since when is Dallas "east" of anything?).

But, hey, that's just my bias speaking. In actuality, the Cowboys might be a step behind the other three teams in the NFC East right now, but they would be good enough to win any of the other NFC divisions. So clearly, the talent is still here on this team. But how is it distributed? NFL Top 10 takes a cursory look at the Dallas Cowboys roster, right now.

10. LB Bradie James

James could be described as a consistent performer and a team leader, and he has accomplished as much without any help from a revolving door at the other ILB in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense. He's a tackling machine who gets overshadowed because other teams in the division have fantastic middle linebackers, but James plays at a near pro bowl level year in and year out.

9. WR Miles Austin

The one player that the Cowboys need to rely on to break out this year and help his offense. It's not smart money to suggest that Roy Williams is suddenly going to become the No. 1 receiver he has never been, he's simply not that kind of dependable. However, Austin's emergence could set the stage for a successful career in Dallas for Williams. This tandem will either succeed together, or fail together.

8. RB Felix Jones

Jones' injury was a crushing blow to the Cowboys last year, as he entered the midseason point as one of Tony Romo sits to pee's most valuable receivers, out of the backfield none-the-less. Jones is good enough to be, prospectively, the lead dog in the Cowboys' rushing attack this year. The more touches he gets, the more big plays the team will make.

7. G Leonard Davis

Davis was signed to be the centerpiece of the Cowboys line in 2007, and after two years wearing the Star, he has lived up to his contract value. Following two pro bowl appearances, Davis is going to be relied on to have another big-time season because the Cowboys gave their poor offensive line no reinforcements in the draft. Uh-oh.

6. CB Terence Newman

If not for a sports hernia suffered early last year, we'd be talking about Newman's place among the shutdown corner's in the game. The guy is one of the ten best corners in football, and despite being a pro bowler, doesn't always get credit for his work. There are better cover guys in the conference than Newman, but the Cowboys extended him before last year for one big reason -- they need him. Without him, the Cowboys sport one of the thinnest defensive backfields in the NFL.

5. RB Marion Barber

Football's version of a closer, Barber just happens to be big-time in the other three quarters as well. He's still a better pure runner than Felix Jones, is an asset in the passing game, and loves to hit linebackers who come on the blitz. There's nothing not to like about Barber's game, except to point out that 2008 was a regression for him from his 2006 and 2007 seasons.

4. LB DeMarcus Ware

Ware led the league's in sacks last year. In doing so, he's built up a reputation for being more valuable than he actually is: he's a great player who likely will not enjoy a hall of fame career, but should find his way to 5 or 6 pro bowls. Ware has major weaknesses against the run, but you have to have him on the field for almost all defensive snaps simply because of the type of havoc he can wreck in opponent's backfields.

3. QB Tony Romo sits to pee

If I told you a QB had never posted a passer rating under 91.0 in three years as a starter, would you tell me that we're dealing with a mental midget? Didn't think so. Romo sits to pee slipped behind Drew Brees in the race for NFC's best passer last year, and fans were really hoping that he'd have the type of season that Kurt Warner DID have last year, but Romo sits to pee missed three games with a broken finger, and the rest never materialized. Let's not ignore how good of a player Romo sits to pee is. He's 29, so this is as good as he'll ever be, but if he plays until age 37 at this level, we're talking about a hall of fame type player. Not a player who "can't."

2. NT Jay Ratliff

Among league insiders, it seems to be widely accepted that the most valuable player on the Cowboys defense is not Ware, but former undrafted NT Jay Ratliff. For Ratliff, the big breakthrough came when he moved from 3-4 end to 3-4 nose. He doesn't look the part of a traditional nose, size-wise, but Ratliff gets sacks from that position. And if your nose tackle is making plays--Ratliff is excellent against the run as well--then you always have a shot at a top defense. Ratliff was THE major player in the Cowboys' second half resurgence last season.

1. TE Jason Witten

Witten is the best tight end in football. He blocks well enough, but his real value is in an intermediate receiving target, because he's as much responsible for Romo sits to pee's success as Tony himself is. He also makes plays down the field with the ball in his hands. Where Witten really earns his keep though is in his versatility. He's become the new Tony Gonzalez, because he doesn't have to be right next to the offensive tackle to be a match-up nightmare. Safeties cannot cover him, which means nickel packages are necessary to match up with the base Cowboys offense. How awesome is that?

Well, look at that, will ya...

:rotflmao:

Lmao......

This author has no credibility. Everyone knows Ellis is more valuable/better than Ware!

Marion Barber above Terence Newman? I disagree with that completely. Barber is overrated, and can be shut down (see Redskins D with the exception of last years game in FedEx). I also don't get ranking Miles Austin at 9 when all the author is saying is "Oh they need him to have a breakout year." Does this make Devin Thomas the 9th best Redskin since the consenus is we need him to breakout?

I really question this author's stance, personally.

Its so funny watching tr1 scramble for every source that he can to support his ridiculous view... no matter how ridiculous the source.

tr1... is that you?

Its so funny watching tr1 scramble for every source that he can to support his ridiculous view... no matter how ridiculous the source.

It does show he's not the only with those views, if nothing else.

What a joke of an article. Did you write this TR1?

It says Ware has major weaknesses, one being against the run. :doh: That's comical and is absolutely trash journalism. Ware is excellent against the run.

It's also quite obvious that he has a serious dislike for the Cowboys since he called them the "ugly stepsister of the NFC East". LOL, what some idiots can do with a keyboard these days.

Jason Witten the best Tight End in football?? :doh:

He's good, a top 5, but he's not the best. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates might have something to say about that. Hell, the same arguments this author made about Witten could be made about Cooley.

It does show he's not the only with those views, if nothing else.

Yeah, I've researched some of this guys work and he's a Redskins fan (surprise!). Nearly half of his articles are about the Redskins, with one being an article in which he complains about the Redskins ranking in ESPN's offseason rankings. :laugh:

Also, he predicts that the Redskins will have a top 10 passing offense this next year. Sorry Redskin fans, but I believe you guys live and die with Portis, not JC.

I really do think this nut is TR1.

Well, look at that, will ya...

:rotflmao:

I don't know what's worse: the article or the fact that you actually used it as a reference. :rotflmao:

man, even though you have now gone post after post about tr1 you sure fall right in to it every single time.

its like yelling at the hammer hitting you in the head when you pick it up off the table each time and knock your own self out.

Notice the authors name.

Greg TR1ppiedi.

hahhahaha

now thats a good one!!

I'm not sure how serious you can take this guy when he doesn't even have his basic facts straight.

Ratliff was a 7th round draft pick, not a free agent.

Funny how puke fans can't acknowledge that Ratliff actually HAD A BETTER YEAR last year than Where.

:rotflmao:

I just try to present the facts here, gentlemen. It's up to you if you care to live in reality.

Ratliff creates pressure, stops the run, requires a double team

sacks are overrated, pressure to force mistakes is the real key.

Ratliff creates pressure, stops the run, requires a double team

sacks are overrated, pressure to force mistakes is the real key.

Wha? :doh:

I'm not sure how serious you can take this guy when he doesn't even have his basic facts straight.

Ratliff was a 7th round draft pick, not a free agent.

Who needs facts when you're posting an article to prove a point in ATN?

He also said that Felix Jones was Tony Romo sits to pee's favorite target out of the backfield, with all 2 of his catches. Yeah, he's real credible.

9. WR Miles Austin

The one player that the Cowboys need to rely on to break out this year and help his offense. It's not smart money to suggest that Roy Williams is suddenly going to become the No. 1 receiver he has never been, he's simply not that kind of dependable. However, Austin's emergence could set the stage for a successful career in Dallas for Williams. This tandem will either succeed together, or fail together.

Anyone think Jerry's kicking himself over the RW11 trade?

I'd say if Austin becomes their #1 the Cowboys are not going to have a very good season. The only way it has any possibility of working is if they run a lot more and go to many two TE sets with Witten and Bennett.

How many of you Cowboy fans believe in either of these guys as a true #1?

Anyone think Jerry's kicking himself over the RW11 trade?

I'd say if Austin becomes their #1 the Cowboys are not going to have a very good season. The only way it has any possibility of working is if they run a lot more and go to many two TE sets with Witten and Bennett.

How many of you Cowboy fans believe in either of these guys as a true #1?

That should be part of Jason Garrett's plan already. If not then he won't be an offensive coordinator for much longer.

That should be part of Jason Garrett's plan already. If not then he won't be an offensive coordinator for much longer.

Unless Jerry plans another blockbuster WR trade you better hope so. If Garrett blows up again this year he'll be fired, what an amazing fall from grace that would be. He had been considered by a some (besides Jerry) as one of the hottest up-and-coming coaches in the league.

Anyone think Jerry's kicking himself over the RW11 trade?

I'd say if Austin becomes their #1 the Cowboys are not going to have a very good season. The only way it has any possibility of working is if they run a lot more and go to many two TE sets with Witten and Bennett.

How many of you Cowboy fans believe in either of these guys as a true #1?

I for one don't and that's exactly the reason why they should go two TE sets and pound the ball more. That would make play action more successful and Austin could do some damage off of play action.

wow, some redskins fans make us redskins fans look downright stupid.