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    Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff was an after-thought in the 2005 draft.  With two first-round picks in linebacker DeMarcus Ware and defensive end Marcus Spears, no one gave much thought to a defensive lineman picked in the seventh round out of Auburn.

 

    But in another example of hard work and perseverance literally paying off, Ratliff joins Ware and Spears in the millionaires club, signing a five-year, $20.5 million contract extension Friday.  The deal includes an $8 million signing bonus.  

 

    "It's a great story of hard work and determination," agent Mark Slough said as he drove away from the Cowboys' Valley Ranch complex.  "He was in the right place at the right time.  We are pleased with the deal.  It was good for him and good for the organization."

 

    Ratliff had been a solid contributor since joining the Cowboys.  But when Jason Ferguson was sidelined for the season opener against the New York Giants, Ratliff became a regular starter for the first time. He has 24 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks, and is second on the team with 13 quarterback pressures in 12 starts.

 

    Though undersized for a nose tackle - he is a converted defensive end - the 6 foot 4, 298 pound Ratliff has excelled because of his quickness and his non-stop motor.  He has been so good that talk of his playing time being reduced after the much-ballyhooed signing of Tank Johnson has dissipated.

 

    Ratliff was to be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.  Because of his strong play, the Cowboys were going to have to offer him a tender of at least $1.3 million if they hoped to keep him from signing with another team.  Maybe Ratliff could have gotten a better deal on the market this year or next year when he was to become an unrestricted free agent.  But he and his agen chose the security of signing now.

 

    "It worked out," Slough said.  "What if you get hurt? [Doing the deal now] eliminates some of those 'what if' questions." 

 

    Rattliff is the second player to sign a contract extension this season with the Cowboys, joining quarterback Tony Romo, who signed a six-year, $67.5 million extension.  The Cowboys are negotiating a contract extension for receiver Patrick Crayton, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.