When it comes to defensive tackles of the 2000s, Darnell Dockett’s name stands out as one of the most productive and infamous names of the era. The outspoken Twitter legend putting together one of the best runs at the position during his 10 year run with the Arizona Cardinals where he became one of the best defensive players in franchise history.
A star at Florida State with red flags off of the field, the Cardinals were handed a steal when Dockett fell to the third round in the 2004 NFL Draft. Grabbing a player who instantly produced for the Cardinals in his rookie season, finishing with 3.5 sacks and 33 tackles.
However, Dockett would struggle in his next two seasons with Arizona. Registering just 2.5 sacks and 45 tackles over the 2005 and 2006 seasons as many started to wonder if Dockett would be a bust after being a troubled star in college.
That all would start to change in 2007 as Dockett would have his breakout season. Putting up a career high with nine sacks and adding 43 tackles as Dockett finally emerged as one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the game in his fourth season with the Cardinals.
Dockett would follow up his breakout season with the Cardinals best season during his time with the franchise, taking a 9-7 record and the NFC West title all the way to an improbable run to the Super Bowl. Losing in heartbreaking fashion to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 31-27 classic where the Cardinals failed to hang onto a lead to finish off their Cinderella run.
Dockett was a star in the Super Bowl game, tying the record for most sacks in one game with three. Matching Reggie White’s total despite playing defensive tackle, showing the entire world that he was one of the most dangerous interior pass rushers in the game on the biggest stage in football.
Dockett’s season in that NFC Championship year weren’t as impressive as his 2007 numbers, but he was still one of the defensive leaders. Four sacks during the regular season and the three Super Bowl sacks cementing Dockett’s status as one of the elite defensive tackles in the game with his 2008 season. Dockett’s ability to play 3-4 defensive end as a natural defensive tackle crucial in the success the Cardinals defense would have at the end of the decade.
After a seven-sack season in 2009, Dockett would sign a contract to retire as a Cardinal. Getting a 6-year, $56 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed as his reward for his production as one of the better pass rushers in football.
After signing the extension, Dockett would remain productive as his career progressed, but never quite reached the highs he reached in 2007 and 2008. Neither would the Cardinals as their window was closed with Kurt Warner’s retirement. Dockett never getting as close as he was to a Super Bowl again after Warner retired following the team’s second playoff run the following season after they lost to the Steelers.
Still, Dockett would remain as a veteran presence with the Cardinals. Providing his handful of sacks and his presence against the run as a versatile defensive tackle/defensive end hybrid over those next few seasons. Putting up 10 sacks over the next three seasons as Dockett remained as one of the better players in his position even as he started heading towards the final chapter of his career.
Unfortunately for Dockett, that final chapter wouldn’t come on his own terms as an ACL tear in August 2014 would be the end of the road. Dockett failing to make a successful comeback from a late career knee injury and eventually being released by the Cardinals before failing to appear in a game for the San Francisco 49ers last season before opting to retire.
Despite never winning a Super Bowl or amassing double digits in sacks, Dockett should still be remembered as one of the best in his era for being one of the most versatile defensive tackles of the 00s. A defensive tackle with pass rushing abilities, Dockett was a special player who amassed 40.5 career sacks and 349 tackles for his career. Numbers that could have been better, but there is no denying that Dockett was one of the best and most memorable defensive linemen of his era as a true Cardinals legend that won’t be forgotten in Arizona for a long time.
