http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/article_056fabba-4dd7-5f61-9b7c-7c16c0736801.html
<h1>Dockery seeks to make big plays for Rams defense </h1>
<p class="byline"><span>BY BILL COATS • [email protected]</span></p><div class="article-share-top">
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<p class="photo-cutline">
<span id="gallery-byline">John L. White</span>
<span id="gallery-cutline"><span>AUGUST
3, 2010 - St. Louis Rams cornerback Kevin Dockery (35 blue) breaks up a
pass intended for wide receiver Brandon McRae (83 white) during
training camp at the Russell Training Center at Rams' Park Tuesday
morning in Earth City.
Photo by John L. White | [email protected]</span></span>
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</p>
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It was February 2008, and New England wide receiver Wes Welker
was tearing up the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. On the
sideline, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo got a visit from
second-year cornerback Kevin Dockery.</p>
"He grabbed me in the middle of the game and said, 'Coach, let
me out there. I can cover him,'" Spagnuolo, now the Rams' head
coach, recalled this week during a break in training camp. "I've
never forgotten that. Those are the kind of guys you want."</p>
Although Spagnuolo didn't take Dockery up on his offer, the
defense stiffened and the Giants stunned the unbeaten Patriots
17-14.</p>
"That was very special," Dockery said. "To get it so early in my
career — most guys play their whole career and don't get a
ring."</p>
When Dockery became available this past offseason, Spagnuolo
brought him to St. Louis. Dockery, 26, appears to be the
front-runner to man the nickel-back spot on passing downs.</p>
"I feel like I'm having a pretty good camp, making a few plays,"
Dockery said. "I try to make a play a day. So far I've been on pace
to keep that up."</p>
At Saturday morning's practice, Dockery positioned himself
deftly so that wideout Dominique Curry was unable to get to a long
pass on the left sideline. The play was even more impressive
considering that the 5-foot-8 Dockery was giving up 6 inches to
Curry.</p>
"It's a challenge for guys like that when they go against big
wide receivers, but he's learned to compensate for it," Spagnuolo
said. "There was a great one in this league, (5-9 Hall of Famer)
Darrell Green, back with the Redskins, that was similar in size.
They find ways. They learn."</p>
All his life, Dockery has had to convince coaches that his size
wasn't a deterrent. "It's not about size; it's all about fight and
will and want-to," he said. "I think I'm faster and quicker than
most guys in this league, so that's a big advantage for me. …</p>
"When I get up against a guy, I make sure he knows he's in for a
dog fight all day long."</p>
A two-way star at Hernando (Miss.) High, Dockery went on to
start 37 games at Mississippi State. The Giants signed him as an
undrafted rookie in 2006. He got into 14 games that year, then
started 10 times over the following three seasons.</p>
As he tries to carve out a role with the Rams, Dockery likes to
remind his new teammates that the journey from the bottom to the
top can go quickly under the right circumstances. The Giants, after
all, had put together just one winning season in the four years
preceding their Super Bowl run.</p>
"It's definitely out there," Dockery said. "You've just got to
come out every day and work and play like a champion."</p>
Butler's injury</p>
The knee injury that strong safety James Butler suffered at
practice Friday has been diagnosed as a sprained medial collateral
ligament. Until he returns, Craig Dahl is working with the first
team alongside free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe.</p>
"It's going to keep (Butler) out a little while," Spagnuolo
said. "I don't want to classify it as significant. We'll take it
day to day, but I think it'll be an extended injury."</p>
Jackson sits out</p>
As planned, running back Steven Jackson skipped Saturday's
practice and scrimmage. Jackson, who had back surgery in April, has
been nearly a full participant during camp.</p>
"No alarms here. That was part of the program that (trainer)
Reggie (Scott) and I decided way back," Spagnuolo explained. "This
gives him 48 hours to make sure we're OK. He'll be back on
Monday."</p>
No practice is scheduled for Sunday.
<h1>Dockery seeks to make big plays for Rams defense </h1>
<p class="byline"><span>BY BILL COATS • [email protected]</span></p><div class="article-share-top">
</div>
<div id="blox-story-media">
<div id="blox-story-photo-container">
<span id="pictopiaURL" title="http://stltoday.mycapture.com/mycapture/remoteimage.asp"></span>
<span id="siteHost" title="http://www.stltoday.com"></span>
<div id="blox-large-photo-page">
<a name="photos"></a>
<p class="photo-cutline">
<span id="gallery-byline">John L. White</span>
<span id="gallery-cutline"><span>AUGUST
3, 2010 - St. Louis Rams cornerback Kevin Dockery (35 blue) breaks up a
pass intended for wide receiver Brandon McRae (83 white) during
training camp at the Russell Training Center at Rams' Park Tuesday
morning in Earth City.
Photo by John L. White | [email protected]</span></span>
<span class="clear"></span>
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
It was February 2008, and New England wide receiver Wes Welker
was tearing up the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. On the
sideline, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo got a visit from
second-year cornerback Kevin Dockery.</p>
"He grabbed me in the middle of the game and said, 'Coach, let
me out there. I can cover him,'" Spagnuolo, now the Rams' head
coach, recalled this week during a break in training camp. "I've
never forgotten that. Those are the kind of guys you want."</p>
Although Spagnuolo didn't take Dockery up on his offer, the
defense stiffened and the Giants stunned the unbeaten Patriots
17-14.</p>
"That was very special," Dockery said. "To get it so early in my
career — most guys play their whole career and don't get a
ring."</p>
When Dockery became available this past offseason, Spagnuolo
brought him to St. Louis. Dockery, 26, appears to be the
front-runner to man the nickel-back spot on passing downs.</p>
"I feel like I'm having a pretty good camp, making a few plays,"
Dockery said. "I try to make a play a day. So far I've been on pace
to keep that up."</p>
At Saturday morning's practice, Dockery positioned himself
deftly so that wideout Dominique Curry was unable to get to a long
pass on the left sideline. The play was even more impressive
considering that the 5-foot-8 Dockery was giving up 6 inches to
Curry.</p>
"It's a challenge for guys like that when they go against big
wide receivers, but he's learned to compensate for it," Spagnuolo
said. "There was a great one in this league, (5-9 Hall of Famer)
Darrell Green, back with the Redskins, that was similar in size.
They find ways. They learn."</p>
All his life, Dockery has had to convince coaches that his size
wasn't a deterrent. "It's not about size; it's all about fight and
will and want-to," he said. "I think I'm faster and quicker than
most guys in this league, so that's a big advantage for me. …</p>
"When I get up against a guy, I make sure he knows he's in for a
dog fight all day long."</p>
A two-way star at Hernando (Miss.) High, Dockery went on to
start 37 games at Mississippi State. The Giants signed him as an
undrafted rookie in 2006. He got into 14 games that year, then
started 10 times over the following three seasons.</p>
As he tries to carve out a role with the Rams, Dockery likes to
remind his new teammates that the journey from the bottom to the
top can go quickly under the right circumstances. The Giants, after
all, had put together just one winning season in the four years
preceding their Super Bowl run.</p>
"It's definitely out there," Dockery said. "You've just got to
come out every day and work and play like a champion."</p>
Butler's injury</p>
The knee injury that strong safety James Butler suffered at
practice Friday has been diagnosed as a sprained medial collateral
ligament. Until he returns, Craig Dahl is working with the first
team alongside free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe.</p>
"It's going to keep (Butler) out a little while," Spagnuolo
said. "I don't want to classify it as significant. We'll take it
day to day, but I think it'll be an extended injury."</p>
Jackson sits out</p>
As planned, running back Steven Jackson skipped Saturday's
practice and scrimmage. Jackson, who had back surgery in April, has
been nearly a full participant during camp.</p>
"No alarms here. That was part of the program that (trainer)
Reggie (Scott) and I decided way back," Spagnuolo explained. "This
gives him 48 hours to make sure we're OK. He'll be back on
Monday."</p>
No practice is scheduled for Sunday.
