Uh Oh, Is Darnell Dockett Really Going to Hold out of Training Camp?

by Bezekira on Jul 1, 2009 12:03 PM MDT Comment 18 comments

I know the subject of Darnell Dockett's Twitter page was somewhat controversial last time we brought it up but his response to a ROTB 'tweet' this morning just couldn't be ignored. Darren Urban has mentioned DD's twitter page a couple of times and he posted a story about his twitter-offensive yesterday afternoon centered about a question about why players should live up to their contract when organizations aren't willing to do the same. That's another story for another day because today he hinted that he might not report to Arizona Cardinals training camp (which is 30 days away for those interested). Here's the back and forth from this morning:

From our very own ROTB: 30 days and counting until players report....@ddockett you gonna be there right????

And the response from Darnell Dockett about four hours later.....

@AZROTB I've never killed anyone to my knowledge so I wouldn't want u to hold ur breath.

That statement surely isn't definitive but it's the first time that Dockett has suggested that he won't report to camp on time. Up until this point he's responded to just about everyone with something along the lines of "I'm a Cardinal for now" or "that's where I'll be from the look of it." It's not really clear whether this is a change in his stance or just him trying to be funny but either way, it doesn't sound like he's burying the hatchet anytime soon.

Anyone think he'll actually hold out of camp? Whiz hasn't been a coach who's put up with alot of nonsense so I wonder how he'd handle the situation.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.

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I doubt he will hold out

If he does though I would in all sincerity try and find as many ways that I possibly can to suspend and fine (apart from missing camp) as possible. Whether it be defemation to the “Cardinal Family Name” or what have you. I say step up and make a STRONG statement to him and the rest of the team so they know the new managament means business.

Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.

by sc464 on Jul 1, 2009 12:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I doubt he will hold out either. It would cost him something like 14,000 a day that he misses, at least I think that is how much the fine would be. He would be absolutely stupid to do so and he would lose even more respect that he might have from the fans. If I am the Cards I just continue what they have been doing and call his bluff.

by Pyromnc on Jul 1, 2009 12:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dear Darnell Dockett,

I know you and possibly your friends and family are reading this right now. Please show up to camp. Our hopes of returning to the Superbowl depend on you as much as anyone else on the defensive side of the ball. We don’t want anymore distractions in what is already going to be a challenging year (SB losers curse.) I believe you are among the best defensive tackles in the league and deserve to be paid like one as well. Just remember: Good things come to those who wait. Play your ass off for one more season and you will be rewarded finacially as well as spiritually. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and I wish you a long and prosperous career.

Sincerely,
Cards D

P.S. Next time you see Alan Branch, bitch slap him for all the football fans in the great state of Arizona.

by CardsDefense on Jul 1, 2009 1:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

lol

you said “bitch slap”…the ripple effect cause damage to our new stadium.

by badmatty53 on Jul 1, 2009 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keep that man out of Lolo's

by badmatty53 on Jul 1, 2009 1:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

mmmm....

chicken and waffles with sweet tea.

When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome again. True story.
-Barney Stinson

by Red Reign on Jul 4, 2009 8:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think there is a little more to this...

Dockett is a very disruptive DT in the 4-3, but he’ll be asked to play DE in the new defense. 3-4 DLmen don’t make as much money as 4-3 DLmen. A DE in the 3-4 is more of a run stopper than pass rusher, playing against Dockett’s strengths. I think he wants to get paid now when his value is at its peak.

by jallred350 on Jul 1, 2009 1:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

excellent point

He’s also hinted that he’s not terribly excited about the move.

I've won the same lifetime achievement award twice....yes I'm the Most Interesting Man in the World

by Bezekira on Jul 1, 2009 1:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great point!!

For the team to make the playoffs they will face off with Frank Gore twice, Adrian Peterson once and Stephen Jackson twice, in the 3-4 he will be the main pog anchoring the run stoppage. They will need to win most of these games to be in the hunt.

I do not see the transition fitting his style.

by shady_sanchez on Jul 1, 2009 7:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

dogpoop

He won’t put up numbers like he did as a 4-3 DT, however when he wants to be he is nearly unblockable. I think he will still be a terror on the D-line, which will allow Dansby and Hayes to make a lot of plays. I think he’s just upset because the position is less glamorous and allows others to be in position to shine in the spotlight.

If can stay motivated I think he could be one of the better 3-4 ends in the game.

Hopefully he will have an epiphany and realize that their is no “I” in team.

by CardsDefense on Jul 2, 2009 11:15 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's bluffing

Whenever a player is as insatiably motivated by money for an holdout, they soon realise that not showing up to camp is hardly the most clever plan of action.

by Irishcardinal on Jul 1, 2009 2:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

A Little Perspective

Boy, I hope Darnell can remember a little history…(and I hope I have the facts right):
1) Dockett was a potential 1st rounder who fell to the 3rd round due to character issues. The Cardinals gave him a chance (and took a chance on him) as his draft status plummetted.
2) The Cardinals rewarded him with a contract extension that should keep him financially sound for the rest of his life.
3) Oh and playing for the Cardinals enabled Darnell to play in the Super Bowl.
Things have worked out pretty well for him playing for the Cards. He is a key component of a very good young defense. The disruptions he’s causing are not only rediculously selfish, but it is undermining all the positives he’s got going for him…as someone said very well above – just play your arse off and you’ll be rewarded. If that tact is good enough for ADub, it’s good enough for you.

by RedbirdsRule on Jul 1, 2009 3:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Character issues don't change

Whiz has seen success continue undisturbed after stars like Joey Porter and Plaxico left the Steelers.

by steelerstyle on Jul 1, 2009 6:51 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

It is what it is.

My apologies for quoting Bill Parcells yet again.

We can’t control what Darnell will or will not do; nor can we control what he or his agent might say duing “posturing time.”

To peck our lips off over something we, as fans, cannot control is just plain nuts.

Most successful assistant and head coaches have learned to shrug this sort of stuff lost and “focus on the guys who are in camp,”

I suggest we do likewise, play it as it lays and let events come to us. (If nothing else, it cuts way down on Maalox expenses and phone calls to Dr. Kevorkian).

GBR

by jeffgollin@aol.com on Jul 2, 2009 7:44 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Larry Fitzgerald reads him some ROTB

hey guys, if you’ve ever wondered if NFL players checked out blogs, this might be confirmation that at least Fitz reads ROTB. He recently linked to our FanPost about his workout with John Lott.

http://twitter.com/Lfitzgerald11/status/2428620303

So since you’re reading Fitz…..We love you.

I've won the same lifetime achievement award twice....yes I'm the Most Interesting Man in the World

by Bezekira on Jul 2, 2009 10:09 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

That Fitzgerald guy did pretty well last year,

but we really need him to step it up this season.

by CardsDefense on Jul 2, 2009 11:37 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

-1

But really, +2 for lolz.

by tw3kr on Jul 3, 2009 5:18 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lets wait and see

DD is an idiot if he holds out, The Cardinals aren’t cheap, they are up against the cap. Play football and be a leader earn your big payday that you will eventfully get. 3.5 Million is not chopped liver. If he holds out, he will likely loose his job to a hungrier player, and the odds of getting the fat contract diminish. I think DD is smart enough to play the game. I won’t cast stones over a hold out until camp starts and we count bodies on the field. If the Dansby situation doesn’t get resolved, Darnell will be out of luck anyway.

by TBru on Jul 2, 2009 2:02 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs