A Potential Falcons Free Agent: Channing Crowder
by Dave Choate on Feb 6, 2012 3:00 PM EST
in Falcons News
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PrintInteresting spot o' reportage from D. Orlando Ledbetter, who links the Falcons to former Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Channing Crowder.
Crowder has always been known for his mouth—he can be, depending on your perspective, infuriating or funny as hell—but he was also a pretty good linebacker for the Miami Dolphins and is just 28 years old. With the Falcons facing the possibility of losing Curtis Lofton in free agency, it would not surprise me in the least if they kicked the tires on guys like Crowder.
That said, there's reason to be skeptical about this happening. First of all, pretty much everything DOL's reporting here comes directly from Crowder, who has powerful incentive to create a market for himself. I'm not saying that Ledbetter doesn't have sources in Flowery Branch who are telling him this is going to happen, and the Mike Nolan connection from Miami makes it awfully logical, particularly since Nolan apparently is still in touch with Crowder. But I didn't read anything in that story that said the Falcons are going to go after him, just that there might be interest.
Crowder didn't play at all last season after he was released by the Dolphins, and played in only 11 games in 2010. Given the unknowns about his conditioning after a year off and the fact that he was never an elite linebacker, it seems more likely the Falcons would be looking at him as a potential backup rather than a starter. I'd think the Falcons would promote Akeem Dent before they would install Crowder as Lofton's replacement, but they'd almost certainly be in the market for an experienced backup if that happened.
So keep this one in the back of your mind. As an entertaining reserve with a good pedigree, he'd make a certain amount of sense. We'll have to see what happens with Lofton, first.
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Not sure how I feel about this development
The only plus I see is that he would know the system but I don’t think that’s enough.
To me, it's this
It never hurts to bring a guy in for a workout, but I’m leery of someone who was out of the league for an entire season and is 28 years old.
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Mike Nolan will have alot of input on our DEF signings
If our highly experienced, highly respected DC feels like Crowder can help our team (Crowder is certainly talented enough to be a starter) then I’m all for it. Everyone will point to Crowder’s mouth and interview antics but finally having a guy on DEF with a bit of edge could be a good thing.
I'm pretty sure Weatherspoon has enough of an edge
As for Crowder, the guy isn’t good enough to start on this team. Maybe he is a good training camp guy. With his mouth he will have the O-line and FB’s looking to hit someone.
Seriously?
I’m not a Crowder fan but talent has never been this guy’s issue. Its always been his mouth and attitude. It was primarily the reason why he wasn’t a 1st round pick when he was drafted. He’d easily become one of the top tacklers on our team (something ATL can definitley use more of) and despite our love of Lofton, Crowder is much more athletic. We can do fine without him but to say he isn’t good enough to be a starter with ATL is insane.
Insanity is
saying that a guy who wasn’t even in the league last year is better than Lofton, Weatherspoon or Nicholas. On this team, he is a rotational/depth guy, not a starter. With Dent in line to get a chance at some snaps, even more so.
Crowder is talented, no doubt, I won’t argue that. But I will stand by my statement that he is no better than the 3 starters we have (if Lofton stays, which I think will happen).
I never said he was better than Lofton
I said he was more athletic. You can go watch the tape to see that. Us fans get tunnel vision when it comes to our guys but if you look at his footage one could definitly make the argument that he’s a better tackler than most guys on our team.
I'd have to agree
Nichoals really isn’t fit for a starting role anyway. He’s a solid backup and special teamer but that’s about it. They experimented with Biermann as a starter a year ago, maybe that’s what they were doing with Nicholas last season.
To some extent I think it would be good
to have a guy who talks smack. Our Defense needs to think it’s unbeatable before they can become unbeatable. Let’s face it, somebody who sparks our team would be welcome…and I’m a guy who loved Deion’s talent but not his antics.
I just wonder
how Mike P is coming along with the torn tricep or bicep injury. I don’t think anybody truly believes the Falcons would sign Channing Crowder as a starter. However maybe you kick tires just in case MP is not ready or maybe they are looking to move on from MP. On this LB corp Crowder would be a decent ST guy IMO.
it is time to move on from Mike Peterson
the guy is old and has been coming down with the old-man injury bug… I love the guy as a player and a locker room presence but he doesn’t have the edge he used to have.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
Before you just move on
you better have a solid veteran type to fill his place. Mike Smith loves M Pete so if he’s healthy I expect he’ll be back 1 more year. Dent should be up to speed by then and ready to be that all purpose back up.
MoPete played for veteran minimum last year also.
No reason that he would not do so again, I wouldn’t think. For the money, he is solid.
I dunno...
Generally, I’d say if I was going to bring in a veteran who’s been out of the league for a year, that guy had better be a model citizen. Then again, if you can get him on the cheap, he may be motivated enough to surprise some people.
by ChardeeMacDennis on Feb 6, 2012 4:19 PM EST reply actions
Wouldn't mind if we picked him up...
…but I think our starting LB’s are stout already. If he can’t play strong side better than SNicholas, we would be better off with our starters from last year.
by FalconsFansincePrimetime on Feb 6, 2012 4:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions
This would be a great move, seriously
He’ll be an inexpensive, quality acquisition, coming out of a premature retirement he probably won’t be guaranteed the veteran’s minimum. He’d likely cost less than Mike Peterson who’s time in Atlanta should be up after a quiet season that ended with him on injured reserve. Virtually he’s Peterson’s replacement, maybe more. He’s younger, faster, and more importantly he’s cheaper. I won’t judge him by his actions or production in Miami, it’s apparent he was very unhappy with the organization that wouldn’t trade him or release him even after numerous requests, which eventually led to his premature retirement. One thing we’re learning is that Crowder loves Nolan and the feelings appear to be mutual. He has the potential to be solid here and to be honest, we do in fact need his services.
Under the new deal
Channing would cost around 685k, that’s way less than what it’ll cost to keep Mike Peterson.
He’s near confirmation that Crowder may in fact be a Falcon soon:
ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas confirms that the Falcons “aren’t likely” to re-sign free agent LB Mike Peterson.Peterson, 36 in June, ended last season on injured reserve with a torn triceps. His career may be over. The Falcons are known to be looking at “street free agent” Channing Crowder, who has experience starting at all three linebacker positions and could replace Peterson as Atlanta’s utility backup. Feb 6 – 1:07 PM
After seeing this, it makes all the sense in the world to sign him
The guy is loyal to the DC and knows Nolan’s system, he’d be dirt cheap, he’s versatile and he’d offer experienced depth.
this
I would not object to the signing – and I do believe he comes in to be a younger, healthier version of Mike Peterson who should be retiring this season.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
This is today's NFL
CC will sign with the Falcons, guaranteed. He will come in and be able to communicate the plays and lingo in practice to the defensive players, which will allow him to stick around and he will replace peterson. MP is done here in ATL. Nolan will bring in CC to help get his defense up to speed faster and give him the 5th LB spot to work his way up to a starter, pending us resigning all our LB’s to start with. By bringing in CC it will also make Lofton want to resign quicker probably, when their is a guy who might be able to replace you, it makes you want to get back to work quicker. lol
This will be just like Mike peterson for us for the past 4 years. Crowder will do the same job for us, and maybe we get lucky and the reall CC shows up and we get a pro bowl LB!!
Now Gentlemen, get your butts up, and get back on that horse! You have no choice. The expectations are running much higher this year.
by ATLsince1972 on Feb 8, 2012 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
If we want to sneak over to a few more 3-4 looks we need a good extra LB
and with his experience in the Mike Nolan system and the 3-4 defense I could see why this pickup makes sense. I just wonder if he is going to be able to get into football shape after being out for a year.
The article by D’Led said that he was not in football shape right now… how long does it take to get into football shape after a year of laziness?
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
I'm guessing not terribly long
I always hear players in interviews say they use mini camp and training camp to get in shape. Crowder will get an early jump. He knew he’d be back so I can’t imagine he’s too fat.
sign him
I know the falcons may run from guys with a personality that draws unwanted attention but if this guy is singable sign him. a lot of speculation is going around about the offer that the falcons will come with to Lofton as a 1st and 2nd down LB but he may beg the differ and want more so if that is the case we need an experienced Lb plus he know Nolan’s system and that does hold weight. Remember when Smitty got here he brought some guys over that he could plug in that knew his system Mike P. was one of them who started in 08". I wouldn’t be surprised to see Paul Solia the NT from Miami here also he is a FA.
Hello
Out of football for a year. That means no team would take a shot at him, and Nolan had to be involved in his dismissal from the Dolphins. What about the “high character values” MS and TD give so much lip service????
Everything about this guy screams run away.
except the price...
That list you gave – the fact there is no interest in the guy by any other team – if he wants to come back then it will be for the Veteran Minimum. I don’t think you pass up a guy like him on a one year deal for $685,000, especially with Mike Peterson headed for the door
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
Plus....
He’s going to know, the first time he messes up, he’s cut and probably, his career is over. If he can be a model citizen for a year, maybe he gets to continue either with the Falcons or somebody else. Win-win, really.
by ChardeeMacDennis on Feb 6, 2012 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
What character issues does this guy have?
Really? The only difference between his situation with the Dolphins and Ray Edwards’ situation with the Vikings is that Crowder actually did leave football before playing another down for an organization he despised. The guy only wanted out. He’s just as outspoken as our own Roddy White is, and has been for years.
He threw a keg at a guy during his time at UF
Idk if that’s a character issue or an amazing show of strength.
by FLA_Falcon on Feb 7, 2012 9:39 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Depends, empty or full?
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Feb 7, 2012 10:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I dont remember if the article specified
It was many beers ago
by FLA_Falcon on Feb 7, 2012 12:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Actually, at least 2 teams wanted him
New England brought him in for a physical but according to Crowder he “retired” due to his wife’s pregnancy and not wanting to miss his child’s birth
Plus, I think there's more to the story of him getting cut in MIA
The Dolphins supposedly have a dbag GM which really affected their ability to hire a coach this year. This is the same GM that asked Dez Bryant if his mom was a prostitute during the draft interviews. Who knows what else has gone on behind closed doors with that guy. I doubt Nolan had anything to do with cutting Crowder considering they still text each other. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t text a boss that got rid of me. I don’t blame Crowder for wanting out if the GM was such a dbag.
Them's fightin' words.
I’m impressed Dez didn’t knock the m’fer out.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Feb 7, 2012 10:43 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hmm...
Yeah I’m thinking nothing comes of this
Just a slow news day for D-Led (and naturally so, it’s February after all)
"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
http://twitter.com/#!/AShirkey
Depends
on where you are trying to go. I don’t think he changes the outlook of the team a bit. But with the numerous personnel problems, he may be a stop gap backup while we build back draft picks (that would be in 2013 and beyond, unless TD gets a another brainstorm).
I don't really know if he fits the "Falcon's mold"
The guy is boisterous, loud personality type of guys and has thrown his previous quarterback and GM under the bus, albeit already in retirement. I don’t know if he technically fits the bill on high quality, classy type of guys TD and MS usually go for… Then again they threw all that money towards Ray Edwards posing in his birthday suit so who knows. As for me, I wouldn’t mind having him on this team.
…Especially after I found this gem. Sign this guy now!
Take, for example, the then-undefeated 2009 New Orleans Saints: "They’re undefeated, they’re probably smelling themselves, rubbing each other’s balls, all that shit…
Other Notables:
"If they’re going to keep making us go more and more and more like a feminine sport, we’re going to wear pink every game, not just on the breast cancer months. If I get a chance to knock somebody out, I’m going to knock them out and take what they give me. They give me a helmet, I’m going to use it." – On NFL helmet-to-helmet hits
"Le’Ron McClain spit in my face. That’s some real ho’ s—, so if you talk to him tell him he’s a ho’. If he ever comes to Miami, he’s got to see me.They (the officials) said they didn’t see it. Then they said something about they let Karlos Dansby get away with a facemask before. Who the f— cares? I just got spit in my face. I don’t give a damn about Karlos pulling somebody’s facemask. Like they didn’t see Chad Henne get hit twice when he slid. No, no, they say, "Aaah." Stevie Wonder and Anne Frank. Who’s the blind girl? Helen Keller, then. I don’t know who Anne Frank is. I’m mad right now. I’m not as swift as I usually am." – Venting after a loss to the 2010 Baltimore Ravens
"I couldn’t find London on a map if they didn’t have the names of the countries. I swear to God. I don’t know what nothing is. I know Italy looks like a boot. I learned that. I know London Fletcher. We did a football camp together. So I know him. That’s the closest thing I know to London. He’s black, so I’m sure he’s not from London. I’m sure that’s a coincidental name." -On hosting a 2007 NFL Game in London
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Feb 6, 2012 5:59 PM EST reply actions
Everyone knows the Dolphins GM is a complete tool
I’d throw him under the bus too….And if you’re going to judge a guy by quotes, then Roddy White is one of the scummiest guys in the league.
I didn't "judge" him negatively by the quotes.
It’s actually the exact opposite. They’re hilarious
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Feb 6, 2012 6:10 PM EST up reply actions
Lol
These are sort of hilarious…
by FalconsFansincePrimetime on Feb 6, 2012 6:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
LOL
He sounds like the kind of guy that will speak his mind and not give a hoot as to what anyone thinks. Not necessarily the worst trait in the world. It can get guys fired up.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Feb 6, 2012 8:39 PM EST up reply actions
The Whole Key
to that was him backing up henne who is a bad qb, at no point dose this guy call out teammates who cares let em call out other teams as long as hes not a cancer in the locker room like to he would be a good. At first i was hesitant but i learned he can play OLB so im all up for him being signed get some more swagg and toughness on our defense
Haha anne frank.
I thought these guys got a “free” education?
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Feb 7, 2012 8:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I promise you...after reading those "other notables" I laughed until tears ran out my eyes.
The London one was the best. Just for that, get this man on the team!!!! That’s hilarious.
I'm with Dave on this one
I’m not totally against a Channing Crowder signing. If he’s in football shape and willing to take a league minimum I could see him making a few tackles on Special Teams. However at this stage of the game it’s just speculation, no need to get panties bunched up. Crowder is not now nor has he ever been a difference maker in the NFL so if he is signed under the right salary constraints I look forward to seeing him make a tackle or two on kickoffs and punt returns.
give him a shot
If it doesnt work out then cut him. Hes going to cost nothing. Never know, maybe taking the year off changed his attitude and he could help us out.
by ocfalcon on Feb 6, 2012 6:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Hello NFL teams, are you in need of a SB ring. Is your 9-7 or 10-6 team that barely slipped in to playoffs needing some help, well, beat the Falcons and you are guaranteed a SB berth!
by InMattWeTrust on Feb 6, 2012 6:46 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
That's what happens to me when my wife watches Twilight.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Feb 7, 2012 10:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
This is pretty much me after any "Chick Flick"...
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
We don't have anything to move up with
That is the problem
now Burfict
Make Alot of Sense that dude is a baller
by falcons101 on Feb 6, 2012 7:33 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Hey guys
New to the falcoholic just introducing myself been on here for about 8 months just never made an account till now…. But yea I don’t think we could rid of lofton he’s our best backer and I think he’ll be one of our TOP priorities resigning players this off season.
by FalconFanatic5449 on Feb 6, 2012 10:15 PM EST reply actions
Slamming Powder
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Feb 7, 2012 8:43 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
wireless router
Been a falcons fan since the big starter jackets was in style
by turnj35 on Feb 7, 2012 11:55 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Whinny Pouter
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
I like cheese.
Hello NFL teams, are you in need of a SB ring. Is your 9-7 or 10-6 team that barely slipped in to playoffs needing some help, well, beat the Falcons and you are guaranteed a SB berth!
by InMattWeTrust on Feb 10, 2012 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
Hate, Hate, Hate, Hate, Hate This!
If there is one position on the field that the Falcons do not need to overpay for help with it is LB. Flowery Branch needs to nip this nonsense in the bud ASAP.
No No No! Pleeeeeease No! Hell No!
Its Proof That Players Outta Of Retirement Don’t Do So Good..lol Most Don’t Even Make The Team.
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