Eagles cornerback Cary Williams said during the team’s mandatory minicamp last week and said that he didn’t care if anyone had a problem with his decision to miss OTAs to take care of other responsibilities, which included overseeing work being done on his home.
Texans linebacker Tim Dobbins missed OTAs for similar reasons, but he had a very different answer to questions about his absence when he spoke to the media at the team’s minicamp on Tuesday. Dobbins said coach Gary Kubiak told him earlier in the offseason that he was disappointed that Dobbins wouldn’t be participating, although Kubiak has resisted making any public statements other than to say that Dobbins was absent from voluntary work.
Dobbins said he feels disappointed in himself, but that he wouldn’t have done things any differently because of his obligations to his family. Dobbins added that he hopes his teammates will understand the reason for his absence.
“I’m pretty sure I let some of the guys down, but at the same time, I’m hoping they understand that I’m here and when I’m here, I’m giving them 110 percent of everything I have,” Dobbins said, via Dave Zangaro of CSNHouston.com. “There’s nothing left in the tank. I don’t want them to have that doubt that I’m not going to be a part of this team or give all my effort.”
Dobbins further emphasized that point by saying that he knows his chief role on the team will be as a stalwart on the special teams with any thoughts of starting on defense, as he did six times last year, are secondary to those responsibilities. His absence the last few weeks shouldn’t stand in the way of him filling that role as long as his effort and production remain at the same level he was at last season.