Arizona defensive tackle Darnell Dockett has received a $200,000 fine from the Cardinals for his behavior in the waning seconds in a 7-6 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, NFL Network’s Albert Breer reported Friday night.
It was uncertain whether the punishment would affect Dockett’s participation in the Cardinals’ game Sunday afternoon in Seattle.
Dockett refused to go along with a coach’s directive to allow the Jets to score a touchdown late in the game so the Cardinals could get the ball back and try to tie the game.
He indicated in a tweet Friday night that he was appealing through the players’ union.
The Jets led 7-6 and had the ball deep in Arizona territory in the final minutes Sunday when a Cardinals coach ordered the defense to allow the Jets to score. Dockett refused and got into a heated on-field argument with safety Kerry Rhodes about it.
The issue became moot when the Jets’ Shonn Greene purposely went down with the ball at the Arizona 1-yard line and the Jets ran out the clock.
Defensive coordinator Ray Horton, a native of Tacoma, told reporters Friday that he was the one who suggested to coach Ken Whisenhunt that the Jets be allowed to score. Whisenhunt has declined to discuss the situation, calling it an internal matter.
Dockett said earlier this week he had apologized to Rhodes, and the two had agreed to move on. But Dockett emphatically said he had never quit in a game and never would.
“It’s something that I don’t believe in, something that I didn’t understand,” Dockett said then. “It was frustrating at the time. At the end of the day, I am never, never going to lay down and quit.”
EXTRA POINTS
Running back Frank Gore (wrist) is expected to play when the 49ers host the Dolphins on Sunday. Wide receiver Mario Manningham (shoulder) remains doubtful. … Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (concussion) and running back LeSean McCoy (concussion) will not play against the Buccaneers. … Bears cornerback Tim Jennings (shoulder), the NFL leader with eight interceptions, has been ruled out against the Vikings. … The Jaguars’ leading receiver, Cecil Shorts, will not play against the Jets because of concussion symptoms. … Jets backup QB Tim Tebow (ribs) will be a game-time decision. … Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was fined $21,000 by the NFL for a horse-collar tackle on the Seahawks’ Leon Washington, and Seahawks defensive tackle Alan Branch was docked $7,875 for a late hit on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. … Former NFL receiver David Boston was sentenced to six months in jail and five years of probation for punching a woman last year.
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