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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Dockett Delivers On "D"
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Kate Brandt
azcardinals.com[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]One of the bright spots in Sundays 21-10 loss to the 2005 NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks, was the skillful play of third-year defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, who arguably played his best game of his professional career.
“I think sometimes it is the type of situations we put him in,” stated Head Coach Dennis Green. “We played the style of defense that probably fits his style more and I think we want to find a style that fits all eleven guys. If you can do that, you have a much better chance. He is an inside player, and inside players don’t have a lot of chances to make plays. We were playing an Okie front so he had more of a chance to go to both sides.”
Dockett wasted no time setting the tone on Sunday, on the first snap of the game, the former Florida State standout, sacked Seattle's quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, resulting in a 10-yards loss as well as racking up his fifth sack of his career.
“He has had a couple of other games where he has been outstanding and where he has had a fumble recovery, an intercepted ball or pick up scoop ball, but he played the run and the pass very well,” answered Green when questioned if last Sunday may have been Dockett’s best performance of his career. “I think in those two phases of the game, it may have been his most explosive game.”
Dockett’s aggressive play earned himself a career day as he recorded a career-high 12 total tackles and eight solo tackles.
“My defensive coordinator put me in some great situations and I took advantage of it,” said the 6-4, 290 pound defensive lineman. “I’m capable of playing like that every week, but the hardest thing in this league is to put back-to-back performances together and only the great ones do that, so it is a good challenge for me. I just want to take it all in and have a good season and do whatever I can to help the Arizona Cardinals win.”
Dockett also credits the return of defensive end Bertrand Berry for a lot of his accomplishments last week. Not only does Berry provide tremendous leadership both on and off the field, but his presence provides opportunities for Dockett in the middle.
Although the defense’s overall success in 2005 was evident on paper as they finished the season ranked 8th in league, it was even more impressive when one considers how the defensive line was ravaged by injuries. The lack of depth at the front four positions created several struggles, especially for Dockett While many fans and coaches have been impressed with Dockett thus far in 2006, he still can remember all of the criticism that he received in 2005. Instead of making excuses, the defensive tackle has used the negativity as pure motivation.
“All of the criticism last year was kind of disappointing,” admitted Dockett. “I did a lot of good things last year but people want to see big plays, but that wasn’t the position I was in last year. I think I trained 10 times harder then I ever did this offseason. I took it into my own hand. I took a lot of criticism last year so I said I’m not going to make any excuses I’m just going to take every practice to just get better and focus in on what I do.”
While Dockett’s number one goal is to have success as a team, in the back of his mind he knows he is playing for a new contract next season.
“I control my own destiny and I feel if I work hard and do all of things off the field to prepare myself during the week I should be alright,” confirmed Dockett.
This Sunday the Cardinals will look to improve to 2-1 this weekend when division foe St. Louis travels to the Valley. Dockett and the rest of the Cardinals defense will face a difficult task of containing a talented Rams offense.
“Steven Jackson has always been a key,” Dockett remarked on the Rams gifted running back. “He has been running the ball real well and they have an explosive offense. You give them a chance and they’ll take it to the house on you, so we have to play disciplined, especially at home.”
The Cards play the next three out of four games at home, and will look to set the tone from the first whistle in order to prevent St. Louis from jumping out to an early lead.
“I think anytime you want to dominate on defense you have go out there on the first play and set the tone,” said Dockett. “It is just the little things we have to do and stay up on them because down the stretch you can’t afford to make those types of mistakes.” [/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Dockett Delivers On "D"
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Kate Brandt
azcardinals.com[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]One of the bright spots in Sundays 21-10 loss to the 2005 NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks, was the skillful play of third-year defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, who arguably played his best game of his professional career.
“I think sometimes it is the type of situations we put him in,” stated Head Coach Dennis Green. “We played the style of defense that probably fits his style more and I think we want to find a style that fits all eleven guys. If you can do that, you have a much better chance. He is an inside player, and inside players don’t have a lot of chances to make plays. We were playing an Okie front so he had more of a chance to go to both sides.”
Dockett wasted no time setting the tone on Sunday, on the first snap of the game, the former Florida State standout, sacked Seattle's quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, resulting in a 10-yards loss as well as racking up his fifth sack of his career.
“He has had a couple of other games where he has been outstanding and where he has had a fumble recovery, an intercepted ball or pick up scoop ball, but he played the run and the pass very well,” answered Green when questioned if last Sunday may have been Dockett’s best performance of his career. “I think in those two phases of the game, it may have been his most explosive game.”
Dockett’s aggressive play earned himself a career day as he recorded a career-high 12 total tackles and eight solo tackles.
“My defensive coordinator put me in some great situations and I took advantage of it,” said the 6-4, 290 pound defensive lineman. “I’m capable of playing like that every week, but the hardest thing in this league is to put back-to-back performances together and only the great ones do that, so it is a good challenge for me. I just want to take it all in and have a good season and do whatever I can to help the Arizona Cardinals win.”
Dockett also credits the return of defensive end Bertrand Berry for a lot of his accomplishments last week. Not only does Berry provide tremendous leadership both on and off the field, but his presence provides opportunities for Dockett in the middle.
Although the defense’s overall success in 2005 was evident on paper as they finished the season ranked 8th in league, it was even more impressive when one considers how the defensive line was ravaged by injuries. The lack of depth at the front four positions created several struggles, especially for Dockett While many fans and coaches have been impressed with Dockett thus far in 2006, he still can remember all of the criticism that he received in 2005. Instead of making excuses, the defensive tackle has used the negativity as pure motivation.
“All of the criticism last year was kind of disappointing,” admitted Dockett. “I did a lot of good things last year but people want to see big plays, but that wasn’t the position I was in last year. I think I trained 10 times harder then I ever did this offseason. I took it into my own hand. I took a lot of criticism last year so I said I’m not going to make any excuses I’m just going to take every practice to just get better and focus in on what I do.”
While Dockett’s number one goal is to have success as a team, in the back of his mind he knows he is playing for a new contract next season.
“I control my own destiny and I feel if I work hard and do all of things off the field to prepare myself during the week I should be alright,” confirmed Dockett.
This Sunday the Cardinals will look to improve to 2-1 this weekend when division foe St. Louis travels to the Valley. Dockett and the rest of the Cardinals defense will face a difficult task of containing a talented Rams offense.
“Steven Jackson has always been a key,” Dockett remarked on the Rams gifted running back. “He has been running the ball real well and they have an explosive offense. You give them a chance and they’ll take it to the house on you, so we have to play disciplined, especially at home.”
The Cards play the next three out of four games at home, and will look to set the tone from the first whistle in order to prevent St. Louis from jumping out to an early lead.
“I think anytime you want to dominate on defense you have go out there on the first play and set the tone,” said Dockett. “It is just the little things we have to do and stay up on them because down the stretch you can’t afford to make those types of mistakes.” [/FONT]
