I am not opposed to Docker. Also, I'm with you, someone with a systems background should be involved from the beginning.

I went and saw someone from Docker in December speak at the local meetup in LA, and his slides explained that Docker was all about a workflow where traditional devs handled everything, and ops would be low-skill people who deployed what they were given, no questions asked.

I think your model is reasonable. The model that Docker was advocating that night is wishful thinking bordering on sales flim-flam.