Free Agent DT Jay Ratliff Visits With The Dolphins

Update:

Adam Caplan reports that the Miami Dolphins hosted former Cowboy’s DT Jay Ratliff for a visit on Friday.

Ratliff has already met with the Bears and Chiefs, and there are reportedly other teams interested in Ratliff as well. The 49ers and Patriots have also been mentioned as speculative options.

Ratliff, 32, underwent sports hernia surgery last year, but unfortunately suffered a hamstring injury during the preseason that has kept him out since. Ratliff expects to be healthy in a few weeks, so it makes sense that he would begin to meet with prospective teams and determine which of them is the best situation.

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Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports that former Cowboy’s DT Jay Ratliff will also visit with the Chicago Bears on Thursday.

Chicago could really use some help at defensive tackle, but their current cap situation will be an obstacle for them to deal with if they do in fact want to sign Ratliff to a contract.

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Aaron Wilson reports that former Cowboy’s DT Jay Ratliff visited with the Kansas City Chiefs.

• ESPN’s Ed Werder (via Trey Wingo) reports that Ratliff is also visiting with the Chicago Bears.
• Jason La Canfora reports that Ratliff has a scheduled visit with the Dolphins and he could met with more teams beyond that.

In Kansas City, Ratliff figures to be a situational player given that they already have a strong front seven.

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Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald is hearing that the Dolphins are one of “several teams” that have reached out to former Cowboy’s DT Jay Ratliff.

This is somewhat interesting to hear given that the Dolphins have a very strong group of interior defensive lineman which includes guys like Paul Soliai, Randy Starks and Jared Odrick.

• Jackson adds that contract talks between the Dolphins and free agents-to-be Soliai and Starks “have gone nowhere.”
• According to Jackson, Miami gave Soliai “take-it-or-leave-it” offer back in August, but he ultimately rejected that offer.
• The Dolphins also reportedly came in below Stark’s asking price as well.

Miami GM Jeff Ireland could be shopping for a bargain deal with regarding Ratliff, but given that there appears to be plenty of interest in his services, it’s doubtful he would jump at the first offer.

The Bears, Patriots and 49ers have also been mentioned as possible landing spots for Ratliff.

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Jason La Canfora reports that free agent DT Jay Ratliff does not have any visits scheduled with NFL teams at this time.

• According to La Canfora, teams are “monitoring his status.“
• ESPN’s Ed Werder mentions that the Bears, Patriots and 49ers are likely to have interest in Ratliff.

Here’s a statement released by his agent earlier today:

“Jay met with Dr. Meyers in Philadelphia this morning. Dr. Meyers performed his surgery last December. Jay has been medically cleared to return to all football activities without limitation. Jay has given his OK to Dr. Meyers to speak directly with any club that has an interest in talking to him.

“Jay will now continue his individual workouts in Dallas and work hard to regain further strength and improve his conditioning. His goal is to be ready to (work out) for clubs in a couple of weeks. He currently weighs 304 (pounds) and is in very good shape … just needs to take his workouts up a notch.”

All indications are that Ratliff will play again this season and he should have a decent market for his services.

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ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that former Cowboys DT Jay Ratliff is in Philadelphia and being evaluated by Dr. William Myers to see if he can play again this season.

• Werder adds that there are six teams interested in signing Ratliff so far.
• Ratliff reportedly believes that number will increase if Myers believe he is healthy enough to play this season.

A source told Werder that people within the Cowboys’ organization did not trust Ratliff. “I think he just decided he didn’t want to play for Jerry Jones anymore,” said the source.

Ratliff’s agent Mark Slough writes that his client’s goal is “to be ready to workout for clubs in a couple of weeks.”

The situation with the Cowboys became quite contentious, so it wasn’t all that shocking to see Dallas move on, despite the fact that they could use some help at defensive tackle.

Following his release, reports indicate that Ratliff wouldn’t be back until 2014, but apparently he’s much more optimistic about his ability to return to the field this season.

We’ll have more regarding Ratliff and possible teams as soon as the news is available.