Derrick Dockery
Encyclopedia
Derrick Dewayne Dockery (born September 7, 1980 in Dallas County, Texas
) is an American football
guard
for the Dallas Cowboys
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins
in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft
. Dockery has also played for the Buffalo Bills
.
He played college football
at Texas
and was tabbed a 1998 second-team All-USA offensive lineman by USA Today
. He was named second-team 5A all-state by the Texas Sports Writers Association in 1998. He was a two-time first-team all-district performer at offensive tackle.
. In 1999, Dockery served as a backup guard but saw action in all 14 games, including the Cotton Bowl Classic, at both guard spots and on special teams. In 2000, Dockery played in all 12 games, including the Holiday Bowl
. He helped pave the way for a UT offense that averaged 38.6 points per game (eighth NCAA
), 439.0 yards per contest (14th NCAA/sixth on UT’s all-time list) and a school-record 293.5 passing yards per game (14th NCAA). He was a key member of a young line that opened holes for UT’s sixth consecutive 1,000-yard rusher (Hodges Mitchell/1,118 yards). He helped set the tone for UT to rush for 1,206 yards (201 ypg) during the final six games of the regular season. He helped lead the way for UT’s 637 yards of total offense (fourth in school history) and 396 rushing yards at Kansas and shared UT’s Offensive Player of the Week honors with two other linemen for his efforts against Baylor
. In 2001, Dockery played in all 13 games, including the Holiday Bowl, and started nine contests at both guard spots, also seeing action at tackle. He helped UT score a Big 12 Conference
-best 39.2 points per game (sixth in NCAA) and tally 162.3 yards rushing, 250.3 passing and 412.6 total yards per contest. In 2002, Dockery started all 13 games, seven at right guard and six at right tackle and became UT’s 40th consensus All-American (15th offensive lineman) after earning first-team honors from The Associated Press
, Football Writers Association of America
and Walter Camp Football Foundation
. He also earned fourth-team All-America accolades from The Sporting News
and was an Outland Trophy
semifinalist. Dockery was a consensus first-team All-Big 12 selection and was named to the Lombardi Award
’s preseason watch list. He shared UT’s Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award and was a key member of a UT offense that ranked fifth in the Big 12 and 16th nationally in scoring offense (33.8 ppg.). He helped open holes for UT’s eighth consecutive 1,000-yard rusher in sophomore Cedric Benson
(1,247 yards).
by the Washington Redskins. In 2003, he began his rookie season as a backup at several positions along the offensive line, including left guard and right tackle. He was inserted into the starting lineup in Week 4 against the New England Patriots
at left guard, which was his first career NFL start. He would go on to start the final 13 games of the regular season at left guard. In 2004, Started all 16 games at left guard for the Redskins, teaming with left tackle Chris Samuels
to form a solid tandem on the left side of the offensive line. He finished the season with 29 consecutive starts at left guard, even though he is one of the league leaders in false starts.
Famous ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman gave Dockery one of his famous nicknames: Derrick "Hickory Dickory" Dockery.
signed Dockery to a 7-year, $49 million contract with $18 million signing bonus, the third largest in NFL history at his position. He was released on February 26, 2009.
to a 5 year, $26.5 million contract on February 27, 2009. He is expected to start at left guard to replace free agent Pete Kendall
. In a game against the Tennessee Titans, he injured his left knee. Dockery was released on March 1, 2011.
Dallas County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,218,899 people, 807,621 households, and 533,837 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,523 people per square mile . There were 854,119 housing units at an average density of 971/sq mi...
) is an American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
guard
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
for the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. Dockery has also played for the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
Early years
In Texas, Dockery was coached by Alton Hill at Lakeview Centennial High SchoolLakeview Centennial High School
Lakeview Centennial High School is a public secondary school located in Garland, Texas . Lakeview Centennial High School enrolls students in grades 9–12 and is a part of the Garland Independent School District....
and was tabbed a 1998 second-team All-USA offensive lineman by USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
. He was named second-team 5A all-state by the Texas Sports Writers Association in 1998. He was a two-time first-team all-district performer at offensive tackle.
College career
Dockery was recruited by the University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. In 1999, Dockery served as a backup guard but saw action in all 14 games, including the Cotton Bowl Classic, at both guard spots and on special teams. In 2000, Dockery played in all 12 games, including the Holiday Bowl
Holiday Bowl
The Holiday Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I-A college football bowl game that has been played annually at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, since 1978. Beginning with the 2010 playing the bowl will officially be known as the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl after...
. He helped pave the way for a UT offense that averaged 38.6 points per game (eighth NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
), 439.0 yards per contest (14th NCAA/sixth on UT’s all-time list) and a school-record 293.5 passing yards per game (14th NCAA). He was a key member of a young line that opened holes for UT’s sixth consecutive 1,000-yard rusher (Hodges Mitchell/1,118 yards). He helped set the tone for UT to rush for 1,206 yards (201 ypg) during the final six games of the regular season. He helped lead the way for UT’s 637 yards of total offense (fourth in school history) and 396 rushing yards at Kansas and shared UT’s Offensive Player of the Week honors with two other linemen for his efforts against Baylor
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
. In 2001, Dockery played in all 13 games, including the Holiday Bowl, and started nine contests at both guard spots, also seeing action at tackle. He helped UT score a Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
-best 39.2 points per game (sixth in NCAA) and tally 162.3 yards rushing, 250.3 passing and 412.6 total yards per contest. In 2002, Dockery started all 13 games, seven at right guard and six at right tackle and became UT’s 40th consensus All-American (15th offensive lineman) after earning first-team honors from The Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, Football Writers Association of America
Football Writers Association of America
The Football Writers Association of America is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA...
and Walter Camp Football Foundation
Walter Camp Football Foundation
The Walter Camp Football Foundation is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA. The organization also presents various awards.-Awards:*Walter Camp Player of the Year*CT Player of the Year...
. He also earned fourth-team All-America accolades from The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
and was an Outland Trophy
Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
semifinalist. Dockery was a consensus first-team All-Big 12 selection and was named to the Lombardi Award
Lombardi Award
The Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
’s preseason watch list. He shared UT’s Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award and was a key member of a UT offense that ranked fifth in the Big 12 and 16th nationally in scoring offense (33.8 ppg.). He helped open holes for UT’s eighth consecutive 1,000-yard rusher in sophomore Cedric Benson
Cedric Benson
Cedric Myron Benson is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft...
(1,247 yards).
First stint with Redskins
Dockery was drafted in the 2003 NFL Draft2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
by the Washington Redskins. In 2003, he began his rookie season as a backup at several positions along the offensive line, including left guard and right tackle. He was inserted into the starting lineup in Week 4 against the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
at left guard, which was his first career NFL start. He would go on to start the final 13 games of the regular season at left guard. In 2004, Started all 16 games at left guard for the Redskins, teaming with left tackle Chris Samuels
Chris Samuels
-Washington Redskins:Samuels immediately became the starting left tackle for the Redskins and has since been selected to six Pro Bowls. In 2000, Samuels was one of only four players on offense to start every game, joining Jon Jansen, Mark Fischer and Stephen Alexander. Samuels won co-Offensive...
to form a solid tandem on the left side of the offensive line. He finished the season with 29 consecutive starts at left guard, even though he is one of the league leaders in false starts.
Famous ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman gave Dockery one of his famous nicknames: Derrick "Hickory Dickory" Dockery.
Buffalo Bills
On March 2, 2007, the Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
signed Dockery to a 7-year, $49 million contract with $18 million signing bonus, the third largest in NFL history at his position. He was released on February 26, 2009.
Second stint with Redskins
Dockery re-signed with the Washington RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
to a 5 year, $26.5 million contract on February 27, 2009. He is expected to start at left guard to replace free agent Pete Kendall
Pete Kendall
Peter Marcus Kendall is a retired American football player in the National Football League who most recently played left guard for the Washington Redskins.- High school and college :...
. In a game against the Tennessee Titans, he injured his left knee. Dockery was released on March 1, 2011.