Dockett sounds off? Cardinal talks defense
Oct 27, 2011, 7:02 PM | Updated: 8:25 pm
Darnell Dockett is not having a particularly good season.
A Pro Bowl talent, Dockett has recorded just 18 tackles
and half a sack this season, failing to really make any
kind of impact that would show up on the stat sheet.
While some have argued Dockett’s play can be attributed to
the contract extension he signed before last season,
others say it’s the defense that is holding him back.
The veteran has admitted at times that the system has been
tough to learn, always maintaining that he was going to
figure it out and get going.
But has he finally had enough of being a square peg being
forced into a round hole, given that his job is not to
attack but rather hold up linemen so the linebackers can
make plays?
He tweeted:
I’m back in that kitchen with pyrex Vision!!! I gave
6games to give the other cats some now its time to give 90
a run. I’m back on my ****!
Never one to really mince words, it’s worth wondering what
Dockett is really saying here. Could it be that he finally
has a good grasp on the defense and is ready to start
making plays? Maybe he’s decided Ray Horton’s system
doesn’t work for him and he plans on going back to what he
does best. Or, perhaps, Nine-Oh is just planning on
spending more time in the kitchen.
Either way it’s worth wondering, because if a team leader
like Dockett is voicing frustration over the defense then
the rest of the team may not be far behind.
At 1-5 and out of the playoff race the most daunting task
for this coaching staff may be keeping the team together
and not losing the locker room.
At this point — much like their team on Sundays — they
may be fighting a losing battle.