Chicago Bears counting on Jay Ratliff
Last year, the Dallas Cowboys released defensive tackle Jay Ratliff. After meeting with the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins and receiving interest from the Cincinnati Bengals, Ratliff signed with the Bears. Back in March, Ratliff agreed to a two-year deal to remain with the Bears.
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Injuries ruined Ratliff’s 2013 season but his return should give a boost to a defense that will likely be much improved in 2014.
According to Mike Wright of ESPN Chicago, Ratliff still has something left in the tank.
"Absolutely he does. Remember, when Jeremiah Ratliff joined the Bears he was coming off an injury, and the Bears more or less just let him take his time going through the healing process. That was a huge positive for Ratliff and the Bears because he’s 100 percent ready to go. Your question reminds me of a text I received from a member of the Bears organization shortly after the club re-signed Ratliff. So I dug through my phone to find it. It said: “It helps that we signed Rat. He’s a soldier if healthy!” Well, now Ratliff is fully healthy, and the Bears are expecting him to be a steady and disruptive force up front this season. Ratliff will be 33 once the season starts, but I don’t see his age being a major concern."
Ratliff was originally drafted by the Cowboys with the 224th-overall pick in the seventh round of the 2005 Draft and the selection of the former Auburn Tiger obviously paid off. Ratliff made nine tackles and 1.5 sacks in five games for the Bears last season.