Redskins » Dockery comes back
By: John Keim
Examiner Staff Writer
March 4, 2009
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| Derrick Dockery’s return to Washington became official Tuesday when the Redskins introduced him at a news conference. (Getty Images) |
Offensive tackle ‘elated and thankful’ to return
The word spread quickly, raising hopes among the Redskins’ staff. Derrick Dockery was available. And line coach Joe Bugel, when he heard about his former left guard, offered up a few words.
“We have to have him,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dockery weighed his options and quickly came to a conclusion. He wanted to come home.
Their happy reunion was on display Tuesday at Redskins Park.
“I am very elated and thankful to be back,” Dockery said. “You don’t know how much I missed playing here. Coach Bugel called me 50 times. Just to know you’re still wanted … getting released was a humbling experience.”
“I didn’t see anything [on tape] where they should cut him,” Bugel said. “He’s 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds. You need beef on the inside, man.”
Dockery spent his first four seasons in Washington before signing a seven-year, $49-million deal with Buffalo after the 2006 season. The Bills released him last week and he agreed to a deal with Washington Friday.
“I didn’t see him being that much different than what I had seen in Washington,” one AFC executive said. “I thought he was overpaid when they got him [in Buffalo]. He’s not a dominant player. He gets by because he’s so big and takes up a lot of space and is hard to get around. There are guards who are more complete, but he’s still a player you can win with.”
The coaches raved about Dockery’s new physique. The past couple years he’s worked out in the offseason in Arizona, focusing on his core, using sledgehammers and strapping harnesses to his body while running.
Likewise, corner DeAngelo Hall was ecstatic to return after playing the final seven games this past season with Washington.
“Just wait and see,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of stuff on my chest and shoulders that I have to get off. I can definitely still bring it.”
The Redskins aren’t done in free agency. They’d like to find a linebacker or a defensive end — Demetric Evans and Phillip Daniels remains a possibility to re-sign. Pete Kendall could return as a backup, if he gets no other offers.
