Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett signed a relatively rich contract extension during 2006, his third NFL season, spurning a shot at restricted free agency.
The deal committed him to the team through 2011. We assume that he noticed this fact at or before the moment he applied his signature to the document.
But, like many other players in various other cities, Dockett has forgotten about the $7 million in bonus money he received, which as we’ve explained many times is not free money.
It’s advance compensation for future services.
So as Dockett prepared to enter the third-to-last season of his contract, he wanted more money.
The only problem? He had no leverage.
And so he has tucked his tail against his “fart box,” and he will stagger into camp. But he is doing so with an unlikely swagger.
As promised earlier today, Dockett has made a “major announcement” on Twitter. The announcement is, in essence, that the “I want more money” stick has fallen out of his ass.
“I am happy to announce that after meeting with the team recently, I have full faith and confidence in the Cardinals organization,” Dockett said in the first part of multi-part 140-character-max stream of messages.
Part two: “I am looking forward to a great season. From the first day of training camp and on, I will not let my contract issues distract me . . .”
Part three: “or my team from reaching our goals. I also look forward to playing with my teammates and defending our NFC championship title . . .”
Part four: “and I appreciate the support I’ve received from all my fans this offseason. WE WILL WIN THE NFC WEST.”
Part five: “FYI to all, No this was not a DREW ROSENHAUSE [sic] call or idea, THIS is how I feel and I’m sticking to it. Thanks agan to all the DDOCKETT FANS.”
We’ve never seen anyone cave so dramatically yet optimistically. In our view, it’s an unequivocal victory for a Cardinals franchise that has had more than its fair share of turnover and upheaval since making an unlikely appearance in the Super Bowl.
And Dockett’s gesture makes it even harder for receiver Anquan Boldin to lash out if he doesn’t get a new deal; after all, Boldin’s contract only goes for two more seasons, not three.
