Scientists say there is an enormous island of debris floating
around in the ocean. Some call it the Pacific Trash Vortex. With
that in mind, say hello to 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, 49ers
linebacker Takeo Spikes and Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell
Dockett. These chatty players have talked so much trash over the
past few months that they have created their own swirling pileup.
Call it the NFC West Trash Vortex.
SAN FRANCISCO
Scientists say there is an enormous island of debris floating around in the ocean. Some call it the Pacific Trash Vortex.
With that in mind, say hello to 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, 49ers linebacker Takeo Spikes and Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett. These chatty players have talked so much trash over the past few months that they have created their own swirling pileup. Call it the NFC West Trash Vortex.
In advance of the 49ers’ game at Arizona on Monday night, for example, Dockett asked Spikes via Twitter on Wednesday why the 49ers are 3-7.
Dockett: I asked u 1st so let’s hear it! Don’t ignore me!
Spikes: to B honest, I don’t know, but by the time I figure it out, we will be 4-7
Dockett: You a damn Lie try 3-8 C ya Monday
Add that exchange to the running conversation that began during the offseason, when neither side envisioned the trash heap that their Monday night showdown would become. Both teams head into an NFL showcase game at 3-7 and tied for last place in the NFL’s weakest division.
The 49ers are fresh off a 21-0 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while the Cardinals are in the midst of a five-game losing streak.
The 49ers rank next to last in the NFL in points per game. The Cardinals rank next to last in total yards.
But, boy, can they talk. Here’s a snippet from a Twitter exchange last spring.
Davis: I slept the whole way it’s so beautiful this morning
Dockett: Did u think about #24 and u know what #24 I’m talking about!!!
Davis: last time I checked I was standing over top of #24 with a football stuck to my glove and believe we were in the endzone
No. 24 is Adrian Wilson, the Cardinals strong safety who often handles Davis in coverage. The last time they met in a Monday night game, Davis had a 5-yard touchdown catch in the 49ers’ 24-9 victory. (Wilson and Dockett each had interceptions; Dockett’s came on a pass intended for Davis.)
Bay Area writers requested to talk to Dockett via conference call Wednesday, but the Cardinals instead offered up Wilson. who played the role of savvy diplomat. The 11th-year veteran joked that he doesn’t even have a Twitter account.
“I’m a grown man, so I don’t really get involved in that cyber world or what’s going on with that,” Wilson said.
Still, he was aware that his teammate was a just a wee bit more enthusiastic about social media. Or, in this case, anti-social media.
“(Dockett) likes to get himself fired up in some different ways, and if that’s one of them, then we’ll have to live with it,” Wilson said. “So, we’re just committed to our teammates and we’re going to back them 100 percent.”
Most of the chatter serves as an undercard to the main event, Davis vs. Dockett, two players who grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and who have developed a reputation for juicy sound bites.
Things got especially heated in May, when Dockett decided to post a video of his shower on the Internet. Dockett quickly apologized for the bizarre stunt, but Davis teased him on Twitter by saying that “Dockette” would continue to post a shower a day.
Dockett responded to Davis by Tweeting, in part “its not about us versus them its me versus ‘YOU’ now.” Dockett added that he would handle things by playing “by other rules ‘my own rules’ check my background.”
Asked about facing his rival face-to-face this week, Davis smiled wide.
“I always look forward to playing Darnell Dockett,” he said. “We’re from the same (area). We’ve been friends for quite some time. He’s a very competitive guy. I’m very competitive. It’s a battle. Good times.”
Does Dockett say much during the games?
“He talks all day,” Davis said. “That’s all he does is talk. All day.”
Dockett was active last week after missing the previous game because of a shoulder stinger. As 49ers quarterback Troy Smith noted Wednesday, Dockett can be a disruptive force when healthy — and not just with his mouth. Dockett’s 22 sacks since 2007 are the most in the NFL among defensive tackles.
That gives him plenty to talk about. But Dockett said that most of his ribbing is done in fun. He told the Cardinals’ official website during the offseason that the only thing that sets him off is watching Davis and Wilson feud.
“He and Adrian, they have their own vendetta against each other,” Dockett told the website. “But me? I’m cool with Vernon. I see him all the time. We’re from the same area. . . . But I’m going to ride-or-die for my teammates, too. I am as loyal as they come. I’m going to have (Wilson’s) back, because he’s not on Twitter.”
— Story by Daniel Brown, San Jose Mercury News
