He was ready, but told to sit. That’s what happened to Kevin Dockery during a four-day span around Thanksgiving when he was inactive for back-to-back games against the Falcons and Broncos.
“I never thought in my NFL career I could be healthy and not have a jersey on my back out there in between the white lines,” Dockery said. “It was definitely a low point and definitely motivation for me.”
Dockery had fallen so far that Bruce Johnson, a non-drafted rookie from Miami, was in the lineup as the nickel back, a role Dockery was supposed to fill. The 5-foot-8 fourth-year cornerback played his way onto the bench, but he kept his mind open, his mouth shut and eventually he was needed.
The Giants were forced to play without Corey Webster (knee) and Aaron Ross (hamstring) on Monday, and just like that, Dockery was not only activated, but making his first start of the season in a 45-12 rout of the Redskins.
“I knew it’s a long season, at some point I would be called on to step up and help this team,” Dockery said. “You got to be prepared, you never want to be caught off guard. My thing was if I’m playing not to be a liability on the field.”
It looks as if Dockery is going to be starting again tomorrow against the Panthers, as Ross won’t make it back and it doesn’t appear as if Webster will, either. That means Dockery could get a heavy dose of Carolina’s Steve Smith, who is nearly as short (5-foot-9) as Dockery, but is an accomplished receiver who thrives on emotion and momentum. Smith has 60 catches for 922 yards and six touchdowns.
“We’re gonna be physical with him at the line of scrimmage and don’t let him run,” Dockery said. “You definitely have to keep him under wraps. He’s going to come out with a lot of intensity and if I’m playing him try to match his intensity.”
Coach Tom Coughlin praised Dockery and Johnson for the way they played in Washington.
“Our two young corners both really did a nice job when called upon,” Coughlin said.
Dockery likely will start alongside Terrell Thomas, and Johnson will again serve as the nickel back as the depleted secondary goes in under-manned again.