Cowboys’ Jason Hatcher to test free agency

One of the bright spots of the Dallas Cowboys’ season has been defensive tackle Jason Hatcher. He has had nine sacks in 11 games, a career high for him, and part of it is due to the position he is playing. Had fellow defensive lineman Jay Ratliff been healthy, he would’ve been playing nose tackle.

“Horrible. Horrible. Horrible. I’m not a nose tackle,” Hatcher said, via ESPNDallas.com. “I probably would’ve been asking to be traded or something because I don’t like to play the nose. I’m not going to say I’m glad (Ratliff) is gone because I wish we had him because he’s a helluva football player, but God works in mysterious ways and I’m at the position. I’m making plays and having a helluva year, so I’ve got to keep it up.”

The problem is Hatcher isn’t under contract beyond this season, and he has been outplaying his deal.

“What a class act,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said, via ESPN Dallas. “He’s a leader. He certainly has been solid for us. Not unlike any other player we ever had here, he wants to be paid fairly. He’s certainly outperforming his contract, I’ll be the first to admit that but unfortunately for us, we’re in a situation that we got a very very tight cap situation and I know he understands that from a business standpoint. He may not like it but understands it.”

That has Hatcher thinking about free agency this summer.