Arizona Cardinals: Is Darnell Dockett Elite?

Jun. 11, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett does running drills during mini camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

As a Arizona Cardinals fan, I am a Darnell Dockett fan. He is awesome at what he does, which is running over or through the opponents’ offensive linemen to get to the ball carrier from a three-point stance.

After being drafted in 2004, Dockett made nine sacks in 2007, his breakout season. Since that time, he has racked up a total of 413 tackles, 36 sack, four interceptions, seven forced fumbles, and 15 pass deflections. Over the course of the past two seasons, Dockett wasn’t used as the player he is in former defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s scheme.

Dockett is a three time Pro Bowler, who was selected to start at defensive end back in 2010, was on the 2009 All-Pro Team, and tied Reggie White’s record for three sacks in a Super Bowl. This man knows how to get to and eat up whoever the ball carrier is at a very high level.

As we all saw the last two seasons, Dockett did a horrible job playing in the two-gap, which is something that is asked from a 3-4 defensive end. I’m sure Dockett felt like a caged wild animal at times, but that won’t happen this year. I except him to have an elite year, running over people like a caged animal that sees a way out.

As for being elite, Dockett is elite for what he does as a defensive end. In my belief of elite, you must play all aspects of the position to a high level, so I wouldn’t go as far as calling the man elite. However, with that being said, I don’t want to see him in another uniform besides the Cardinals.

And because he’s likely to thrive in the new defensive scheme, he won’t be let go of by the Cardinals.