ringless":31gge78q said:
Lockett came on the Radio yesterday and wanted to explain a few things.....
He said that he was willing to play for Arizona for less, however they would only offer 2.5 million and he wanted a little more. Dockett said he gave the Cardinals “two or three” chances to keep him and said he was willing to take less than what the 49ers offered, however the Cardinals would not budge from the 2.5 mark.
“When we couldn’t come to an agreement with that little bit of change to the contract, I knew then it was my time to go,” Dockett said.
Dockett said the two sides came within $500,000 but never could close the gap. During a near 20-minute interview, the clearly frustrated Dockett acknowledged the turn of events and leaving the team was unexpected.
“I was very shocked because I’ve always been a team player, I’ve always been loyal,” Dockett said.
The Cardinals began preparing for the future on the defensive line last season, drafting both Ed Stinson and Kareem Martin. Stinson, a fifth-round pick, played well before getting hurt late in the season and even Dockett had said on a couple of occasions Stinson reminded Dockett of him in his younger days.
Dockett: "I was willing to restructure my contract ... I was willing to take less money than what SF was offering."
Well I think that explains a lot. Dockett doesn't want to be where he is, and I think part of it was done in spite. I think this says a lot about the Cardinals, and the fact that they wouldn't budge and offer him 3 instead of 2.5 is telling considering the cap space we have 14-20 million (Palmer signed a restructure that hasn't been executed. I guess the team wanted to move on from him.
I think saying "he's not happy where he's at" is a bit strong, but I'd probably see it that way too if Frank Gore signed in Arizona and said something similar. Can't fault you for that.
Couple interesting things tho....
1) His comments about Tomsula. Both he and Hayne cited Tomsula specifically in why they signed in SF. Hayne said he'd written SF off his list until Tomsula got the job because Tomsula was the guy he really liked when he visited during the year. Docketts comments:
“For me, the head coach is a defensive line coach, and people fail to realize, man, this guy is awesome,” Dockett said. “After every game I played against San Francisco, he was one of the guys who always came over and we talked it up. He admired my game and admired what I bring to the table.”
2) I referenced a comment he made a few years ago about SF fans earlier in this thread. Found it. It stuck me as an odd thing to say at the time considering some of the other stuff he said over the years. Still not sure if he was being real or making a dig at Arizona fans.
DARNELL DOCKETT
@ddockett
San Fran has a sick ass fan base, always a pleasure to play here. They got some real loyal fans.
10:13 AM - 30 Dec 2012
3) Honestly, I really have no idea what to make of it. I like it, but not in love with it. If PFF is to be trusted then it looks like he's been a liability vs the run and a good pass-rusher...or the anti-Ray McDonald.
Should be fun tho. We'll see if this works out.