Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was among the first to say that releasing Jay Ratliff last week was the best move for all parties involved, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t disappointed to a degree over the way the eight-and-a-half-year relationship ended.
Specifically, Jones is saddened that Ratliff never got the chance to work with new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli. Jones not only believes Ratliff would've been great under Marinelli, he believes he could've been the best student Marinelli has ever worked with.
"Well, Jay’s, of course, his game is always been about effort," Jones told 105.3-FM The Fan this week, via ESPN Dallas. "It’s been around hustle. It’s been about what made him really such a good player, because he also has good physical ability. We had really counted on him this year.
“We thought Jay could come in here and maybe be the best at what they call a 3-technique or it’s a quick-twitch guy there in the middle, and let Rod Marinelli use him. We thought he could be the best that Rod has ever played with.”
Ratliff’s agent announced via an email this week that his client has been cleared to return to football activities, and Ratliff will reportedly begin visiting teams next week.
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