Williams returned to familiar territory Monday in an effort to give back to his old community

For the last six years, Jay Ratliff has listened to critics call him undersized, playing nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme.

For all but two of those seasons, he finished the year in the Pro Bowl.

Now, with the Cowboys moving to a 4-3 scheme, there is a question about just how the 31-year-old might fit in this new system.

But just like he’s done since 2007, Ratliff downplays the move, simply stating that he’s a football player who feels like he can adjust to any defense, any scheme and any position.

“At the end of the day, it’s football,” Ratliff said. “We’ve played the 3-4 all these years but we had a nickel package. This adjustment shouldn’t be a problem. It’s not that much of a difference.”

While Ratliff has kept rather quiet in the media the past two seasons, and particularly this offseason, he could only chuckle when asked about switching positions.

“As far as moving (positions), that’s something we start every season with. Everyone says the same thing about this time, it’s been that way for about nine years, now?” Ratliff said. “I still have the same feeling about it – wherever they need me that’s where I’m going to play.”

The Cowboys apparently need him right in the middle at one of the two defensive tackle spots. He’ll likely start out as the one-technique, which once again is typically assigned to players with a bigger frame than his listed 6-4, 303-pound stature.

But like he’s done in the past, Ratliff has overcome the size differences with a style of tenacity that is hard to match. He also does it with technique, something he’s worked with this offseason with new defensive line coach, Rod Marinelli.

“He’s definitely a player’s coach. He coaches everyone the same way,” Ratliff said of Marinelli, who came over from Chicago, where he served as defensive coordinator the last three years. “He has high expectations. Whether you’re a rookie or well-seasoned vet, he gives everyone the same amount of effort and time. He’s open to everyone’s questions. I think he controls the room really well because everyone respects him.”

Ratliff said it didn’t take long for the entire defensive line room to jump on board with Marinelli’s approach.

“That’s a credit to him, more than anything,” Ratliff said. “That’s why everyone listens to him and respects him. Everyone believes in what he’s teaching. They know he knows the game. We look forward to working with him.”

Whether he has a new coach or not, Ratliff said he’s just excited about getting back on the field. The 2012 season was frustrating from start to finish. He missed a lot of training camp with a nagging foot injury, then sustained a high-ankle sprain in his first preseason game. After missing the first four games, Ratliff played well in his return, but then a groin injury that required sports hernia surgery shelved him for the final six games.

That, coupled with a DWI arrest on Jan. 22 and speculation he might be a salary-cap casualty, kept Ratliff’s future with the Cowboys up in the air. However, through it all, owner Jerry Jones and coach Jason Garrett have emphatically reiterated not only Ratliff’s spot on the roster, but his importance as a defensive stalwart.

Ratliff seems eager to prove them right.

“I’m definitely ready to get back o the field,” Ratliff said. “Most definitely. I’m excited about that. When it comes around, I’ll be ready.”

Rookie wide receiver Terrance Williams returned to familiar territory Monday in an effort to give back to his old community.

Flanked by members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Williams visited the indoor practice facility at Baylor – where he compiled 202 receptions for 3,334 yards and 27 touchdowns – for a free youth football clinic.

The event wasn’t just any summertime activity, however, as it was held in cooperation with the CenTex Pee Wee Football League for the benefit of children affected by the April explosion in West, Texas.

“It’s sad, but I’m kind of the type to think things happen for a reason,” Williams said. “Now, Waco is closer to West, and I’m going to do anything that I can to try and help them out.”

The event held special significance for Williams, who is a north Texas lifer – a Dallas native, and a four-year standout in Waco with the Bears. He said it felt good to give back in some way to a community that helped raise the profile of Baylor football, while supporting him en route to a 2012 All-America selection at wide receiver.

“They all supported Baylor football, and I feel like I should return the favor in any way I can, and it’s just something I really wanted to do,” he said.

As a lifelong Cowboys fan, Williams said he hasn’t quite adjusted to the thought of being a role model for the young kids who clamored to take pictures with him – just as he thought of Cowboys players as a child.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m just going at it day-by-day,” Williams said. “The moment I finally sit back and just think about it, then I think it’ll sink in … one day when I can finally relax and be like ‘Man, it’s like the players I grew up watching.’”

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