Owner Jerry Jones expects DT Jay Ratliff to "flourish" in the Cowboys' new 4-3 defense.

"He will flourish, I emphasize 'flourish,' in this defensive scheme," Jones said. "He is a natural 3-technique. He is always highly-respected because he could play nose as well as he could with his forte being quickness, high agility, high motor. He is an integral part of what we're doing. And I think he's going to have an outstanding year." Ratliff was at one point considered a candidate for release, but has since restructured his contract, while the Cowboys didn't draft a defensive lineman.

ESPN Dallas says Jay Ratliff's roster spot "becomes sketchy" if the Cowboys draft a defensive tackle that can push the pocket.

The Cowboys have restructured DT Jay Ratliff's contract to clear salary cap space.

He converted $3.66 million of his salary into a bonus, saving $2.93 million. Ratliff was a rumored release candidate, but the restructuring likely locks him into a 2013 roster spot. A nose tackle in Dallas' old 3-4, Ratliff is tentatively expected to play "three technique" in Monte Kiffin's new 4-3 scheme.

ESPN.com's Dan Graziano says DT Jay Ratliff still being on the Cowboys' roster "doesn't make too much sense."

Dallas is back over the salary cap after franchising DE/OLB Anthony Spencer last week, and they need to clear at least $6.8 million by Tuesday at 4PM ET. However, cutting Ratliff won't do them much good. It would only save the Cowboys $1 million against the cap. A restructuring is more likely.

The Cowboys have approached DT Jay Ratliff about restructuring his contract.

Ratliff is due a $5 million salary in 2013, and his current cap number is $7 million. In the offseason of the restructure, he's expected to be just one of many Cowboys approached about the matter.

Coach Jason Garrett "absolutely" expects NT Jay Ratliff to be with the Cowboys in 2013.

Ratliff is due a $5 million salary, but the Cowboys would save just $1 million against the cap by cutting him. Financial reasons aren't behind Ratliff's potential release, though. It's the fact that he was arrested for DWI barely a month after teammate Jerry Brown was killed in a DWI crash with fellow DT Josh Brent.

The Cowboys would save $1 million against the salary cap if they release NT Jay Ratliff before June 1.

Ratliff is scheduled to earn $7 million in 2013, but his status with the team has come into question after a Jan. 22 DWI. Ratliff's arrest happened barely a month after Jerry Brown died in a DWI accident with teammate Josh Brent. Coupled with Ratliff's late-season shouting match with Jerry Jones, it appears Ratliff is on shaky ground.

Cowboys NT Jay Ratliff's blood alcohol content at the time of his Tuesday morning DWI was 0.16, twice the legal limit.

Ratliff was arrested after he sideswiped an 18-wheeler with his truck and slammed into a median. Per the arresting officer, Ratliff was also "verbally abusive several times" after being taken to jail. This, coupled with his late-season shouting match with Jerry Jones, only increases the likelihood that Ratliff will be released in the offseason.

Cowboys NT Jay Ratliff has been arrested for DWI in Grapevine, Texas.

Ratliff crashed his truck into an 18-wheeler in the "early morning hours" Tuesday. According to ESPN Dallas, neither Ratliff nor the truck driver were hurt. The Cowboys have declined comment. It's most unwelcome news for a player who was already on the hot seat in Dallas. Ratliff's arrest also comes barely a month after Jerry Brown's tragic death in a DWI accident with teammate Josh Brent. The odds that Ratliff has played his final down in Dallas have increased dramatically.

Per ESPN's Ed Werder, the Cowboys believe NT Jay Ratliff will be "a better player" in Monte Kiffin's new 4-3 defense.

Ratliff figures to play both three-technique defensive tackle and the nose in Kiffin's scheme, which relies on front-four pressure to help the secondary. There has been speculation that Ratliff might be released this offseason, but he's the Cowboys' best defensive tackle and was effective when healthy in 2012. Look for Ratliff to return at his scheduled base salary of $5 million.