Derrick Dockery Addresses The Media
Posted by Matt Terl on March 3, 2009 – 6:23 pm
Two press conferences today at Redskins Park: Derrick Dockery and DeAngelo Hall. After the Albert Haynesworth presser on Friday, I was struck by how charismatic he was, how genuinely enthused he seemed to be about the upcoming season, and how excited he appeared to be a Redskin.Today was more of the same, as both players were impressive in their 2009 Redskin debuts. Hall, like Haynesworth, has heard some questions about his character and about his likely effort after the big payday; his press conference addressed those questions head on (and convincingly), and I’ll have the transcription of that up shortly.
Dockery, like Haynesworth, seemed to feel sincerely blessed to be here, and (unlike Haynesworth) was excited to return to the place where his career took off.
Dockery’s Opening Remarks:
“First let me start off by saying I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for this opportunity. Mr. Snyder, Vinny Cerrato, Mr. Eric Schaffer, Coach Bugel, and Coach Zorn for affording me this opportunity to come back. I’m very elated and thankful to be back. You don’t know how much I missed playing here.
“We have our home here, so every time we would come back, I would always run into fans. They would ask me how am I doing, when you coming back … and everything worked out for me to be back. So I’m really excited about being here and I’m just ready to get to work, because I know the type of football that we play here at Redskins Park and here in Washington, and I know one thing: we will be physical. We’ll play with intensity and passion. My coach will make sure that happens, so … any questions?”
On when he realized coming back here was a possibility:
“When I first got released, it was a possibility. I guess Vinny found out [I was available], Coach Buges called me about fifty times, you know, ‘Stud, come back, we want you here,’ and just to know that you’re wanted … to know that people still care about you….
“You know, being released was … I guess you could say a humbling experience. That was my first time not being wanted as a player, growing up from high school to college and even in the National Football League. But you live and you learn. You learn from the mistakes that you’ve made, and hopefully you can grow from your experiences.
“So I’m just glad to be back, man. And I believe that the sky’s the limit for myself and for this team. Coach Buges knows me as a player, the person that I am, he knows that I’m going to put forth my best effort, and that’s what I’m ready to do.”
On not chasing the money:
“We had an excellent visit in Detroit. I think the organization is one of the top organizations. Even Buffalo is a good organization. But my wife and I, we talked about it: this is our home. When football’s over, this is where we want to live. Her family lives up in Urbana, and this is where I wanted to play. My heart is here, and I was excited to come back.
“And I know that Chris Samuels is still here. Randy Thomas, Casey Rabach, Jon Jansen. The gang was still here, and I remember the good times. I remember the games that we played, the fun that we had as a group. So that was the major factor in me coming back.”
On how his game has changed since he’s been gone:
“I would say this: I’ve been very fortunate to play under Coach Bugel, and even going to Buffalo [under] Coach McNally, and you learn a lot of things from two — probably Hall of Fame — offensive line coaches who have coached thirty years in the National Football League.
“But one thing I would say is just … nothing’s really changed, because you could say technique, coaches teach different. But the main thing I think has remained the same is my work ethic. Just me knowing that I’m not gonna be the player I wanna be if I don’t work. I wasn’t blessed with the best athletic ability, but one thing I do know, I know how to work. And I’ve had great coaches to help me to bring the best out of me, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
On if he regrets leaving:
“You know, I really don’t try to dwell too much on the past. When I left, there was still a piece of me still here. So therefore I’m just glad to be back, man. I’m excited about getting the work, I’m excited about having one of the best offensive lines in the National Football League, and I know we can accomplish that here.”
On the timeline of being contacted and signed by the Redskins:
“Well, I was in Arizona training at the time that I received the call from Vinny and the guys. We kept open communications through the whole process — like Coach said, they did a great job of making it happen, not giving up on me, and that’s what I appreciate. Some people who want you, people who care about you, and they know you. And so that was just one of the key factors in me coming back. They made it happen, they got it done.”
On if he felt increased pressure in Buffalo with the large contract:
“I don’t think so. I think in this league it’s performance-based anyway. It doesn’t matter if you’re making the most or if you’re not, because you can be here today, gone tomorrow. And I understand that, especially this past week experiencing what I did experience. I know you have to perform.
“And as a person, I’m my biggest critic. Coach Bugel’ll tell you that. I’m here to watch film myself, we come in early, we stay late, we do what we have to do to get better. And so if there was anything, I would put pressure on myself to be the player I know I can be.”
On if he kept in touch with Coach Bugel while he was away:
“Yes. Periodically I would come back to the facility. I’ve established some great relationships here, with Chris Samuels, Randy Thomas and the guys. Demetric Evans … so I would always come back to see the guys, and I would come back to see Coach Bugel. Because Coach Bugel is a great inspiring piece in helping me become the player I had become.”
Tags: Derrick Dockery, DerrickDockery
Posted in General | No Comments »
