IRVING, Texas – Jason Hatcher's biggest contribution to the Dallas Cowboys this season could be his versatility.
As a defensive end in a 3-4 converting to a defensive tackle in a 4-3, Hatcher should start alongside Jay Ratliff on the interior of the Cowboys' defensive line.
But don't be surprised if Hatcher also gets some snaps rushing the passer from one of the end positions.
"I want to be able to play across the board if need be," Hatcher said Tuesday. "If somebody goes down, it's the more you can do in this league. If they need me to go out and play the five-technique, the nine, I'm trying to play it all. You definitely have to be versatile in this defense, so I want to learn the one-technique, the three-technique, all across the board.
"I want to know what to do so if somebody goes down maybe they need to say, 'Hatch go play the five or the nine for a game.' I'm looking forward to this defense. We all are."
And learning all of those positions should be made easier by having Rod Marinelli's ear — and cell phone number. When discussing the 63-year-old defensive line coach on Tuesday, Hatcher referred to Marinelli as "a legend in this game."
Marinelli spent 10 seasons coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive line before becoming head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2006. Marinelli then coached the Chicago Bears' defensive line during the last four seasons.
"He coached Warren Sapp, one of the best who ever did it, so every day I'm either texting him or asking him, 'Coach, how was today's practice? What do I need to work on?' He'll text me back and say either 'more get-off [or] better hands,'" Hatcher said. "With a guy like that you soak up all you can for him. I'm looking forward to seeing how I play this year."
After starting only one game during his first five seasons in the NFL, Hatcher has started 26 games the previous two seasons. The 30-year-old finished with 4.5 sacks in 2011 and 4 in 2012.
Follow Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota
