Derrick Dockery On Sean/John Hall
Former Redskin guard Derrick Dockery - here from 2003-2006, then signing with Buffalo in March - is among those grieving for Sean. Dockery is doing a conference call with the media here. Overall, Dockery said of the past few days: "It's tough, but I'm good."
Dockery talked to Redskins Demetric Evans and Chris Samuels on the phone when Sean was in the hospital. "We were talking about how tough it was, how shocked we all were for it to happen in his own house. You think one of the places you would be safe is in your home. It's tough man. It's tough."
Dockery said he got to know Taylor pretty well during his time here.
"I got to know him off to the side. As a player he was growing as a player, wasn't making as many mistakes. He was becoming the leader of that defense, getting people in the right place ... And off the field when I would talk to him, he'd talk about just how much he really cared about his fiancee, his daughter. He talked about the decisions he was making, the decisions he used to make. He wouldn't make those same decisions or mistakes any more and as an individual and a young man you've got to grow through those growing pains ... But if you can learn from those mistakes and move on, that's a great thing."
The circumstances here obviously change what Dockery hoped would be a happy reunion with his former teammates.
"That's the sad and hard thing about it. I thought this was going to be one of those times when I could come back and it would be about the Buffalo Bills and the Redskins, and now there's something greater. Sean's passing puts everything in perspective This is a game, but life is priceless, and we're just going to try to focus and play Sunday. It's going to be a very emotional game. It's going to be a tough one."
Dockery was asked if he thought the Redskins would want to play this weekend?
I would think so. I think Sean would want them to play. but its going to be hard man, Anytime you lose a loved one that's very difficult."
Dockery said he loved Buffalo, and that "my coaches my teammates have welcomed me with open arms." But he many close friends back in Washington. He also experienced a difficult situation earlier this season, when teammate Kevin Everett was in a life-threatening situation after a collision in a game, but made a miraculous recover. He said played with Everett struggling to recover was in the back of all of his mind and he knows there is no way the Redskins will be able to avoid thinking about Sean Sunday as they play a game that they badly to win to make the postseason.
Former Redskins kicker John Hall was also just outside Redskins Park. He stopped by to offer his best wishes and support to his friends and former teammates.
"I'm pretty much speechless," Hall said of Taylor's passing. Hall, who was injured his last two years here and has not been with the team the past two seasons. Hall still lives in the area and was feeling depressed, so decided to head over to The Park. "It was more difficult sitting around the house and being alone about it, without anyone to talk to who really knew Sean," he said.
As for how the Redskins move on and begin to prepare to play a football game Sunday, Hall said: "I don't know how they're going to do it. I really don't."
By Jason La Canfora |
November 28, 2007; 2:05 PM ET
Previous: Team Chaplain Brett Fuller On The Meeting With Sean's Family |
Next: The Redskins Back At Practice
Posted by: jm220 | November 28, 2007 2:24 PM
I think the energy and emotion at FedEx will be incredible on Sunday. I think I'm going to fly in for the game.
Posted by: puttinforbird | November 28, 2007 2:33 PM
It seems that without anyone really noticing it, Sean Taylor had already become the team leader that we all longed for him to be.
(reposted from previous thread)
Posted by: _Stumped_ | November 28, 2007 2:34 PM
I'll join with a book repost as well Stumped...hehe:
I really don't think Portis would wear 21 to try to "become" Taylor...never said it was a permanent move, or just for a week or for the whole season, or even if it true or even would be allowed by the league and/or team (although I don't know why it wouldn't be allowed).
The point is that I think the idea is just yet another way to honor his memory.
As for playing this weekend....You asked me yesterday...and I couldn't even imagine it. Now that I've spent pretty much all day yesterday crying...and communed a bit with the fans out at RP...I'm finally getting to the point where I just want them to go out there and play their asses off not so much "Let's win this one for Sean" But rather "Let's go out there and live life to it's fullest...play hard and fast, to honor Sean that way"
I can't even imagine how hard it is to be in that locker room today getting dressed with that empty locker in there...running out on that field without Sean...it's got to just be eating up some if not all of them...more power to you guys...we are def. behind you.
I do really think the league should consider moving the Thursday game to Saturday...pretty sure there is no or very little college ball this weekend...and I don't think the logistics of changing the game should be too bad...I mean we are already getting into the flex part of the schedule anyway. Something to consider...especially if the whole team will be down in Fla on Tuesday....gonna be insane. Horrible timing...hope the NFL steps up (especially since I partially blame them for all the tragedies that have been happening...another story for another post...ha)
Hang in there skins...my tear ducts I think are now broken...and I've officially not eaten for 2 days...well I've had a constant supply of coke but not one bite of food to eat...I think it's time.
HTTR!!!
Posted by: rbfett | November 28, 2007 2:42 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
No question Sunday is going to be a tough one.