We all know that Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett likes to talk…and talk a lot. While sometimes we don’t have the slightest idea of what he’s talking about, his recent comments directed at former teammate and new Cleveland Browns linebacker Karlos Dansby couldn’t have been any clearer.
According to ArizonaSports.com, Dockett had this to say about the veteran linebacker…
I personally feel like he chased the money versus chasing a ring…No knock towards Cleveland — I don’t want people to try to think I’m saying Cleveland doesn’t have a chance; everybody has a chance — but I just felt like it was made for him to be here.
Chasing the money. That’s somewhat of a subjective statement. Dockett, who is set to count nearly $9 million against the cap, really doesn’t have much room to talk. He could have easily taken less cash in order to help the Cardinals retain Dansby. In fact, his rather large 2014 cap could be one of the primary reasons why they weren’t able to retain Dansby.
Dockett continued…
But again, the financial part is totally different — I don’t know anything about that…But when you look at everything we’d done this year; the sacrifices our defensive line made for that certain individual to make his plays and go into a game not being selfish.
Is he indicating that Dansby didn’t make similar sacrifices? If not, what exactly is Dockett saying here? Again, he could have sacrificed financially for the Cardinals to retain Dansby or add other pieces to a team that won a surprising 10 games a season ago.
For his part, Dansby felt a response was necessary.
#browns lb karlos dansby on cardinals dockett saying dansby grabbed the money: "I feel he doesn't believe in the guys in his locker room"
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 30, 2014
#browns lb dansby on former #cards teammate dockett saying he grabbed the money: "I can't stoop to his level and go down that road w/ him."
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 30, 2014
As fans and writers, we struggle understanding that NFL players do make decisions based on finances. As in any career, that’s one of the primary motivating factors. Would you take a lot less money to work at a different company under the same position? I highly doubt it. Dansby had to look out for his own bottom line, and receiving $12 million guaranteed from Cleveland was probably his best career move. Dockett, of all people, should understand this.
All contract information provided by Spotrac.
Photo: NFLRush.com