Former Dallas Cowboys player gets cut after this
When considering franchises that have gotten the most from late-round selections and undrafted players over the past fifteen years, the Dallas Cowboys can’t be far from the discussion.
Some might argue that lack of home runs during early picks contributed to opportunities that allowed some of those underdog players to emerge. Still, Cowboys fans can almost count on at least one new unheralded college player to make an impact each season for America’s Team. Names like Tony Romo, Barry Church, and Cole Beasley were all available through six rounds of their rookie draft. Some former Cowboys too: Miles Austin, Jacques Reeves, and Jay Ratliff. Yes, Jay Ratliff. Remember him?
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The 2005 NFL Draft saw the Cowboys select a number of defensive players in the first two rounds (including notably 2000s all-decade pass rusher DeMarcus Ware), but it wasn’t until 224th pick that Dallas selected Jay Ratliff, an undersized nose tackle with defensive end experience from Auburn.
The Cowboys inserted Jay as the starting defensive tackle in 2007 and the rest is history. Four Pro-Bowl selections, including a First-Team All-Pro recognition in 2009, 22 sacks over 5 seasons (a big accomplishment for a 3-4 nose tackle), and a big contract extension followed. Life seemed good for Jay Ratliff in Dallas for awhile.
Then came 2012.
While rehabbing a high ankle sprain and groin injury, Ratliff got into a physical altercation with Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones after a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in early December. Jones reportedly told Ratliff that the Cowboys “needed” him, perhaps causing Ratliff to feel as if his injuries weren’t taken seriously.
What happened in the next year is left up to much speculation, but there were several indications that things weren’t all dandy between Ratliff and the Cowboys. A month after his confrontation with Jones, Ratliff was arrested on suspicion of DWI while driving in the Dallas area. He started the 2013 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a hip injury that his agent claimed would take “at least a year” to heal. And then somehow when the Cowboys finally decided to cut Ratliff, he worked out with the Chicago Bears just a week later.
And then Jay – ehm Jeremiah – Ratliff became a Chicago Bear. Yes, for unknown reasons he left his nickname “Jay” behind in Dallas. But while he battled injury issues at times, his 2014 season was a throwback to his vintage production: 6.5 sacks and a blocked kick.
Now Ratliff has been cut again, this time from the Bears, after a bizarre series of incidents early Wednesday morning. From the Chicago Tribune:
"Wednesday’s fireworks began in Lake Forest when Bears officials judged that Ratliff arrived at team headquarters not in a condition to work, according to sources. When the team sent Ratliff home from the facility, an argument ensued."
Ratliff allegedly got into a loud altercation with general manger Ryan Pace (sound familiar?) and was subsequently released. Police were summoned to escort Ratliff from the facilities, but according to the Tribune, he left on his own. Now the Bears have parted with the player defensive coordinator Vic Fangio called their only “really good player” on the defensive line back in training camp.
There is no denying the talent of Ratliff. His undersized frame allowed him to play quickly and effectively in a manner few can replicate. Unfortunately, the same volcanic personality that made him such a terror on turf seems to has led to the demise of his NFL career.
Is he remembered fondly in Dallas for the years of sacks and run stuffing he captained between 2005-2011? Or does his memory evoke visions of the turmoil in the locker room he contributed to in 2012-2013? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
In the meantime, it seems this could be the sad ending to one of many great underdog stories involving the Dallas Cowboys.