Local Athlete: Darnell Dockett

Lets go back to 1998. I was a freshman football player at Magruder High School.

Our homecoming game that year was against Paint Branch High School from Burtonsville.

As soon as the visiting Panthers stepped off the team bus that day, the one player we feared, Darnell Dockett, stood out among all other and began imposing his intimidation factor. A 6'3 270 man-child made of pure muscle. We had gameplanned for him all but in the end, it didn't really matter.

Dockett made all the tackles, scored all the touchdowns, called his own plays...i'm pretty sure he filled up the Gatorade bucket, did all the cheerleader cheers and drove the team bus back home when the butt-kicking was complete.

In Dockett's career at Paint Branch, he set a school record with 47 sacks. In his senior season he was USA Today prep all-America selection with 171 tackles (109 solos), 15 sacks, 2 caused fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 blocked punts.

After graduation, Dockett earned a full scholarship to Florida State University as a defensive end. In his four years as a Seminole, Dockett recorded 9 sacks, and 192 tackles (93 solo tackles, 89 assisted tackles), and set a school record for 48 tackles for losses. Dockett was named an All-American in 2003 as a senior.

In 2004, Dockett was a third round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals, and since has had a productive professional career. This year, he is enjoying his best year as a pro. He currently has 36 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and leads the team with 8 sacks.

Local Coach: Bill Belichick

Maryland not only produces the best athletes, it produces best coaches too. Maybe the best coach...EVER. Don't think so? Let me introduce you to New England Patriots head coach William "Bill" Stephen Belichick, a Maryland native.

Bill Belichick was born in Nashville, Tennessee on April 16, 1952. Belichick was raised in Annapolis, where he spend his childhood and teenage years. Belichick's father, Steve, was a former Detroit Lions football player and was an assistant football coach at the United States Naval Academy.

After graduating high school from Annapolis High School and spending one postgraduate year at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Belichick became a multi-sport talent at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. In edition to playing center and tight end on the football team, Belichick played lacrosse and squash for Wesleyan.

After graduating in 1975, Belichick got his first coaching job makings $25 per week under Ted Marchibroda and the Baltimore Colts.

Belichick spent the next three years coaching special teams, tight ends, and wide receivers for the Detroit Lions. He spent one season as the as a defensive assistant with Denver Broncos before beginning a 12-year stint with the New York Giants. In his first few years with the
Giants, Belichick served many different assisting duties. He was named defensive coordinator in 1985. Belichick's defensive gameplans helped the Giants win Super Bowl XXI in 1986 and Super Bowl XXV in 1990.

Belichick got his first head coaching gig at the helm of the Cleveland Browns in 1991. He was there for four years before resigning.

Belichick reunited with former Giants coach Bill Parcells to become the defensive coordinator with the New England Patriots. Once again, Belichick's defensive led his team to a Super Bowl birth in 1996. When Parcells left for the New York Jets one year later, Belichick followed him and helped turn the organization around. In 1998, the Jets came within one game of the Super Bowl.

In 2000, Belichick filled the head coaching vacancy in New England. In the past seven years, Belichick's Patriots had won Super Bowl XXXVI in 2001, Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003, and Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004.

Not only is Belichick a great coach, but he has birthed many other head coaches in his mold around the NFL and college. Cleveland's Romeo Crennel, New York Jet's Eric Mangini ,Notre Dame's Charlie Weis, and Alabama's Nick Saban are among the coaches that Belichick gave their start.