PRO: In a matter of four seasons, Jay Ratliff's pro career has catapulted from backup contributor to Pro Bowl nose tackle after his first career selection following the 2008 season. Now in his fifth season, the former seventh round draft choice is expected to anchor a defensive line that also returns Marcus Spears along with newcomer Igor Olshansky to replace the departed Chris Canty. Ratliff is a versatile athlete who began his collegiate career as a tight end before playing two seasons as a defensive end and his final season as a defensive tackle. His strong work ethic helped him succeed at each position. He is a tough, aggressive lineman who can collapse the pocket and knife into the backfield to flush out the quarterback. Ratliff made the most of his opportunity during the 2007 season after the team lost Jason Ferguson to injury in Week 1, allowing him to step in and start 14 games at nose tackle where his production led to a five-year extension on December 14, 2007. As the unquestioned starter at nose tackle in 2008, Ratliff's dominance at the position earned him his first selection to the Pro Bowl as a starter on the defensive line of the NFC squad after he finished the season with career-highs in tackles (83 - fifth on the team), sacks (7.5 - fourth on the team), tackles for losses (six - third on the team) and pressures (31 - tops on the team).
TRANSACTION SUMMARY:
12/14/07: Signed a five-year contract extension with Dallas through 2012.
11/1/05: Placed on Reserve/Injured with a high right ankle sprain.
4/24/05: Drafted in the seventh-round (224th overall) by Dallas.
2008:
Earned his first Pro Bowl trip as a starter for the NFC squad after leading the team with a career-high 31 pressures while finishing fourth on the team - third among league interior linemen - with a career-best 7.5 sacks.
Finished fifth on the team with a career-high 83 tackles along with four pass breakups and a fumble recovery while starting all 16 games.
At Cleveland (9/7) had a career-high six stops along with two quarterback pressures as the defense held Jamal Lewis to just 62 rushing yards and the Browns to 205 total yards.
Recorded five tackles, one sack, one tackle for a loss, one quarterback pressure and recovered a key fumble that gave the Cowboys the ball in the fourth quarter against Philadelphia (9/15).
At Green Bay (9/21) led the team with a then season and career-high five quarterback pressures along with seven tackles and one sack. Also part of a defense that has held the opponent to less than 100 total rushing yards for three straight weeks.
Topped his performance from the week before, finishing with a season and career-high eight tackles against Washington (9/28). Added one tackle for a loss and one pressure.
Had five tackles, one pressure and a sack - his third of the season - against Cincinnati (10/5).
At Arizona (10/12) finished with two tackles, one pass breakup and tied for the team lead with three pressures.
Posted four tackles, one sack and one pass breakup against Tampa Bay (10/26) as the defense did not allow a touchdown.
At Washington (11/16) finished with eight tackles, three quarterback pressures and two sacks - his first career multiple-sack game to establish a single-season career-high with six sacks.
Had six tackles and four pressures against San Francisco (11/23) to help hold the 49ers to just 26 rushing yards - the fewest allowed this season.
Finished with six tackles, one tackle for a loss, two pressures and one pass breakup against Seattle (11/27) as the defense held the Seahawks without a touchdown.
At Pittsburgh (12/7) had five tackles, one sack, one pressure and one pass breakup. His sack marked the seventh of the season - upping a single-season career-high.
Tied his season-high with eight tackles against Baltimore (12/20) in the Texas Stadium finale and added two pressures and shared a sack with Greg Ellis.
At Philadelphia (12/28) had three tackles, one pressure and a season-high two tackles for losses.
2007:
Played in 15 games with 14 starts and finished with 28 tackles, three sacks (tied for fourth on the team), four tackles for a loss (tied for third) and 15 quarterback pressures (second).
Stepped in at nose tackle after Ferguson left the game in the first quarter with a torn right biceps against the N.Y. Giants (9/9) and recorded three tackles and a sack.
Recorded two tackles, a pass breakup and recovered a fumble that led to a Dallas score at Miami (9/16).
Posted a season-high four tackles at Buffalo (10/8), shared a sack with DeMarcus Ware and recovered a fumble as the Bills offense was held without a touchdown.
At Philadelphia (11/4), recorded a tackle for a loss, two pass breakups and a season-high three pressures.
Had two tackles, one pressure, one tackle for a loss and one sack against Philadelphia (12/16).
Split a sack with Ware, had two tackles and one pressure at Carolina (12/22).
Inactive with a knee injury at Washington (12/30).
In his first postseason start against the N.Y. Giants (1/13/08), recorded two tackles.
2006:
Played 16 games as part of the defensive line rotation, recording 17 tackles, four sacks - tied for third on the team - seven quarterback pressures - tied for the team lead - one pass breakup and one forced fumble.
Led the team with three fumble recoveries - which tied for second in the NFL - and became the first Cowboy to recover three fumbles in a season since Deion Sanders and Broderick Thomas in 1996.
At Jacksonville (9/10), recorded the club's first sack of the season with a takedown of Byron Leftwich.
Had his second sack with a fourth quarter takedown of Mark Brunell on fourth down against Washington (9/17).
Posted his first career tackle at Tennessee (10/1) before making three tackles and his third sack of the season at Philadelphia (10/8).
Recovered a Jake Delhomme fumble at Carolina (10/29) that led to the Cowboys final touchdown of the game.
Had one tackle and recovered a fumble at Arizona (11/12).
Recovered a fumble by Marvin Harrison on the Colts first possession and sacked Peyton Manning to force a fumble, which Manning recovered on their next possession, finishing with two tackles and a quarterback pressure against Indianapolis (11/19).
Posted a season-high four tackles against New Orleans (12/10).
Against Philadelphia (12/25), had one quarterback pressure before injuring his shoulder in the second quarter but returned later in the game.
Missed the regular season finale against Detroit (12/31) because of the shoulder injury.
Returned in the wild card loss at Seattle (1/6/07) and had one tackle.
2005:
Played in four games with one start before being placed on Reserve/Injured.
Made his NFL debut at Oakland (10/2) as part of the rotation for the defensive line and shared a sack with linebacker Scott Shanle.
Earned his first career start the next week against Philadelphia (10/9) when the Cowboys opened in their nickel package, and led all linemen with three tackles and shared a sack with defensive end Greg Ellis.
Suffered a high right ankle sprain and did not return against Arizona (10/30).
Was placed on injured reserve Nov. 1.
COLLEGE:
Moved from defensive end to defensive tackle in his senior season and started all 13 games, tying his career-high with 37 tackles while also adding four tackles for a loss and a sack.
Tied his career-high with seven tackles at Alabama to earn SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.
Helped the Tigers finish 13-0 by defeating Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl, in which he made three tackles. Auburn finished 2004 second behind USC in the final Associated Press poll.
Played in nine games as a junior reserve defensive end, making seven tackles, including one for a loss.
Before his sophomore year, moved from tight end to defensive end during spring drills and started eight-of-12 games and tied a career-high with 37 tackles, including a career-high 10 tackles for a loss. He also had two forced fumbles and a sack.
As a freshman tight end, played in all 12 games, with one start, and had three catches for 38 yards.
PERSONAL:
Jeremiah Jerome Ratliff earned all-state and honorable mention All-USA Today honors after catching 46 passes for 701 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior at Lowndes County High School in Valdosta, Ga.
Finished his prep career as one of the top-rated tight ends in the southeast. Also lettered in track and basketball for Lowndes, averaging 18 points and 18 rebounds per-game as a junior.
