When Jay Ratliff started to do good things for the Cowboys in 2006 he was playing the DE position. When Jason Ferguson went down early last season Wade decided that Ratliff could possibly move inside and help the team out by playing NT. No one knew the kid was going to be as good as he was there and now it seems he may be moving back outside to DE, or is he?

Over the last few practices Ratliff has been getting reps at DE while Marcus Spears has been moved inside to the NT spot. No one is saying this is a permanent move, but you have to wonder if Ratliff looks like he's a stud at DE and Tank continues to be a beast at NT if the move doesn't indeed become permanent before too long.

Here's Wade talking about the situation...

Wade talks Ratliff at DE

My guess is that Wade doesn't want to come out and say it, but it's obvious that Spears isn't the dynamic player at DE that Ratliff can be. Spears cannot get to the QB on a consistent basis and that's a fact. If you have Tank doing just as good of a job as Ratliff then you have to find a way to get both of them on the field more often.

Now what does Ratliff think about going back to DE? Here he is talking about just that on The Lunch Break today...

Ratliff talks playing DE

Well he didn't really sound like he's been waiting and hoping the move happened, but I am sure after he gets a few sacks he will be just fine with it.
 
As for Spears losing time. He will still have a role on the defense because they will use a healthy rotation on the defensive line.

Here's Mickey Spagnola and Rob Phillips talking about Spears moving to NT..

Talking Cowboys talks Spears at NT

The best thing about all of this is that this team has talented versatile players all over the place!!!