ESPN Dallas is reporting that Cowboys defensive lineman coach Brian Baker has confirmed that the team has no plans to move Jay Ratliff to defensive end, and he will remain at nose tackle in 2012.
Ratliff played through a rib muscle strain last season, and Baker said there is a possibility that Ratliff could be rested on some first and second downs to keep him fresh.
“He will take all the third downs unless somebody proves they’re a better pass rusher inside,” Baker said. “Until that happens, if he’s getting a little worn [down] we’ll save him for third down.”
Baker added that Ratliff played the fewest snaps percentage wise last season since he’s been a starter. According to ProFootballFocus, Ratliff had the 10th-highest number of QB disruptions of all defensive tackles in 2011.
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