Nov 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Jason Hatcher (97) celebrates after a tackle for a loss in the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at AT
Jason Hatcher has been named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate after being the most consistent part of the Cowboys’ defense all season, according to SB Nation.
The veteran Hatcher has been with the Cowboys since being drafted in 2006, and over the past two years, he has quietly been the best defensive lineman for Dallas. With All-Pro DeMarcus Ware having missed several games this season and former Pro-Bowl DT Jay Ratliff getting cut from the team in October, Hatcher stepped up and became the star of a porous Cowboys D that was ravaged by injuries this season.
Ratliff, along with linebacker Sean Lee and cornerback Brandon Carr, were the three best defensive players for the Cowboys this season, although Lee missed some games with hamstring and neck injuries, and Carr was notably torched by Calvin Johnson in his near record-setting Week 8 performance.
Ratliff’s selection will be the one bright spot from the Cowboys defense this season. Dallas ranked last in the NFL in total defense, as they were the only team to allow more than 400 yards per game to opponents.
To make matters worse, 2012 defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who was fired after Dallas ranked 19th in total defense that season, turned the Saints defense into the fourth-ranked unit this year, after New Orleans had the worst defense of all-time in 2012. Cowboys DC Monte Kiffin has still somehow not been fired.
Ratliff joins teammates Dez Bryant and Tyron Smith as Cowboys who will represent their team at the 2014 Pro Bowl.