Dennis Gardeck’s sack dances get uneven reviews by Cardinals

Dennis Gardeck only needed his first 10 snaps as an NFL outside linebacker to record two sacks.

With each of those quarterback takedowns against the New York Jets on Sunday, the third-year undrafted pro out of Sioux Falls didn’t miss a beat pulling out two celebration dances.

One, in which he put his arms out like a jet, is called “turning the cona,” as in the cone during outside linebacker drills. The second, which was caught on FOX cameras, is called “hitting the strobe,” and Gardeck shouted out former Cardinals linebacker — and noted locker room dance hall enthusiast Joe Walker — for his moves after the game.

“I actually liked that one,” Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson said Thursday. “I would have gave that one a seven. The other thing with the jet thing, I wasn’t digging that one. I’ll give that a three.”

We call it the Joe Walker Special!!! https://t.co/CH4Hw0hMTh

— Dennis Gardeck (@DGardeck) October 11, 2020

Peterson admitted Thursday that the team broke down film of the dances during practice sessions this week as Arizona prepares to face the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.

Kliff Kingsbury might’ve given Gardeck a harsher rating than a three during those film sessions. With reporters this week, the Cardinals head coach kept his opinion on the matter brief.

“Not good,” Kingsbury said.

But Kingsbury’s and Peterson’s criticism may not matter. Gardeck on Thursday would not apologize for his moves.

“I got a seven and a three? That’s a 10 out of two sacks. I got a 10 total combined. I feel like 10 out of 10 I did my job,” he said.

Asked about his self-deprecating nature, the fun-loving Gardeck explained his approach this way:

“Who am I at the end of the day? I think that’s kind of where I came from, even going back to high school. I was never the guy. You can think what you want about me. I’m just going to have fun, play football and celebrate how I celebrate, whether it’s a seven or a three.”

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