Darnell Dockett has spent the last 10 years trying to beat the 49ers, so it’s not too surprising that there was some culture shock involved with joining the team this offseason after he was released by the Cardinals.
The defensive end said that he and left tackle Joe Staley walked past each other four times before they actually spoke to one another, shook hands “and kind of put [past battles] behind us.” Relationships with new teammates and past adversaries aren’t the only things taking some time for Dockett this offseason.
There’s also his recovery from last year’s torn ACL, something he said he won’t be pushing any quicker than necessary.
“I’m not in a rush,” Dockett said, via the San Francisco Chronicle. “How many OTAs or minicamps have I been to? Just trying to make sure I get to the season -- not have a setback in the preseason or anything like that.”
The 49ers are still waiting on a firm decision from Justin Smith about whether or not he’ll be playing in 2015 and he and Dockett account for almost all of the experience in leading roles at defensive end. Given that, Dockett’s desire to avoid any kind of serious injury before the season is likely fine with the team as well.