Doucet: Goldson started it with a cheap shot

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Dashon Goldson did not offer an explanation for his actions that led to his ejection from the 49ers' 23-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.But Cardinals receiver Early Doucet was talking after the scuffle that led to Goldson's ejection from the game. Doucet was neither penalized nor ejected.TV replays showed Goldson on the ground in the defensive backfield after an Aldon Smith sack. Doucet, who was standing, took a swipe at Goldson's facemask.
Goldson got up and connected with a left to Doucet's neck and missed with a right. Doucet hit Goldson's shoulder with a glancing punch. Goldson connected with another right and grazed Doucet's facemask with a left as the players were being separated.Replays did not show what occurred to prompt Doucet take his initial swipe at Goldson at the beginning of the melee. Goldson had already left the 49ers locker room before reporters were allowed to enter after the game Sunday. Doucet told his side of the story in the Cardinals locker room.
"It was during the play," Doucet said. "The ball was thrown (actually, quarterback Richard Bartel was sacked) and he (Goldson) took a cheap shot at me. I fell, then I got up. The refs didn't throw the flag. Then, I just lost my cool, and then I went after him and then we had a little scuffle."It was a pretty intense game the whole game. We were all on a pretty short fuse. It was only a matter of time before something escalated. I guess I was the one that kicked it off."Doucet added, "He kind of hit me while I wasn't looking. I just kind of lost it after that. I'm usually a fair player, and I feel like that wasn't a fair shot he took at me."When asked he was worried about a fine, Doucet answered, "No, but I'm pretty sure I am going to get one."Here are some other comments from the Cardinals locker room following their 23-7 loss to the 49ers on Sunday:"They don't like us. We don't like them. Everyone knows that. There always will be a little extra here and a little extra there. It's a rivalry. . . . That's a good football team. It's hard for me to sit here and not admit they are a good football team. There's a reason they are 9-1, a reason why they are atop the standings in the division. I usually don't give credit to anyone, especially in the division, but I give credit to them. They played a good football game, and I'm looking forward to another challenge in a few weeks."
--Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett"You have to give them credit. They played well, but we had wrong reads, bad throws, bad decisions. (Quarterback) John (Skelton) played like a rookie. . . They (the 49ers) are not making many mistakes. They're playing smart football. They didn't turn the ball over. What did we have? Five turnovers? How do you win a game when you have five turnovers in an opposing team's stadium? That's what it's about more than anything. They're a big team, physical team. But if we make our plays, we have a great chance to be in the game."--Coach Ken Whisenhunt"You're not going to beat bad teams with that many turnovers, and you definitely are not going to be good teams like this . . . Every offense and every defense comes down to physical talent across the plate. They have physically talented guys. They have a great linebacking corps. Their defensive line is one of the best in the NFL. The fact is that they play their scheme well. Nobody gets out of position. You don't see a lot of explosive plays. You don't see them making mistakes."
--Offensive guard Daryn Colledge"They got us with a few coverages, but at the same time they gave us some stuff, but I just didn't hit it. . . Alex Smith threw the ball fine in the rain, so I'm not going to use that as an excuse or anything. It's frustrating more than anything."
--Quarterback John Skelton"They were playing cover-2, cover-6, cover-3. It was pretty basic, what they were doing. They are a good football team. You have tip your hats to those guys. There is a reason they are 9-1. They are a good ball club."
--Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald"They did a good job of extending drives by moving the ball down the field. We should have kept them out of the end zone. We played our hearts out, though, and left it out on the field. But it wasn't good enough."
--Defensive end Calais Campbell

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