Report: Darnell Dockett fined "six figures" for blowup

The “escape goat” incident involving Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett is apparently far more serious than he wants to admit.

Dockett did his best to sweep under the rug a blowup that happened between him and safety Kerry Rhodes in the closing minutes of Sunday’s 7-6 loss to the New York Jets. Dockett has been accused of spitting on Rhodes and that has been denied by both men.

But something happened and Mike Jurecki of XTRA Sports 910 in Phoenix reports he is hearing Dockett has been fined “six figures” by the club for the indicent. Six figures starts at $100,000. While we’re not questioning the report by Jurecki, it is possible that the NFLPA could limit fines of this amount. If the Cardinals were going to dock that much pay from Dockett, they might have to suspend him without pay for conduct detrimental to the team because taking an entire game check might be the only way to enforce such a large fine.

Whether that has happened or not, we’re not speculating. Jurecki also reports that Dockett could have a “limited role” this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. So, that right there would suggest there hasn’t been a suspension.

The bottom line is it sounds like the Cardinals are treating the issue seriously.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune