Cowboys experimenting with defensive front

Source: www.profootballweekly.com

The Cowboys appeared to find a terrific solution at nose tackle last season when Jay Ratliff emerged as a strong starter. They bolstered the position with the midseason acquisition of Tank Johnson. But now they are tinkering with some position flexibility in training camp. Ratliff has taken snaps at left end, and Marcus Spears — last year’s LDE starter — has moved inside to Ratliff’s NT spot. The moves are not permanent, but they do offer the team some flexibility up front. Johnson has had a terrific offseason and appears to have carved out a regular role in one way or another, but he’s best on the nose. Ratliff doesn’t sound too pleased with moving, having previously shifted positions prior to finding a home at nose, but sources believe it could be Spears who loses the most snaps with this new arrangement.