Channing Crowder as 2nd team MLB? (1 Viewer)

[brakeyawself]

I was looking to use this guy as my LB3 this year. What does this news about him playing MLB with the 2nd team mean?

 

[redman]

Not according to Ourlads.

Depending upon your source, what may be happening is that they have opted to depict Miami (as Ourlads did) as a straight 4-3 defense when in fact they play a lot of 3-4 when Crowder would certainly be on the field.

In actuality, as I understand it, Crowder and Thomas will be 3-down LB's for them.

 

[brakeyawself]

Not according to Ourlads.

Depending upon your source, what may be happening is that they have opted to depict Miami (as Ourlads did) as a straight 4-3 defense when in fact they play a lot of 3-4 when Crowder would certainly be on the field.

In actuality, as I understand it, Crowder and Thomas will be 3-down LB's for them.

Well its not so much my sources. It's a news blurb on almost every site. kffl, yahoo, and a few others. That's where he was practicing I think. "Aug 17 Jeff Darlington and Greg A. Bedard, of the Palm Beach Post, reports Miami Dolphins LB Channing Crowder worked at middle linebacker with the No. 2 defense Wednesday, Aug. 16."

I know he's still listed as WLB on depth charts though. Just thought it was a curious thing for practice unless they are concerned about Thomas's health and want to give him some time playing at MLB so he's ready if need be. But yea, i dont know.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Matt Roth also was demoted from his starting pass-rushing position. Maybe Saban is sending some motivational messages before the season starts...or maybe it's only a one-day stint.

Regarding Ourlads, it seems as if they do not keep up-to-date on the non-glory positions. Take their listings with a grain of salt.

 

[adrn005]

relax guys i work for the fins flaship station and i am at trining camp every day.........crowder is zach's backup at the middle but he still starts on the weak side...no need to fear people love him down here

 

[redman]

relax guys i work for the fins flaship station and i am at trining camp every day.........crowder is zach's backup at the middle but he still starts on the weak side...no need to fear people love him down here

It hadn't occurred to me that he was getting time at his backup position.

 

[adrn005]

let me rephrase my previous post if anything were to happen to Zach Channing moves to the middle so it is only natural that he take some snaps ther from time to time...also the earlier post abiut the 3-4 alignment is 100% correct

 

[nortobc]

Why isn't Crowder playing tonight? Everytime the Dolphins were in the nickel package, Spragan and Zach were in the game.

 

[nortobc]

WTF??? Crowder just recorded his first tackle in the 3rd quarter and I didn't see him play in the 1st half.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Crowder played the entire first half.

You won't notice him much -- that scheme is so friendly to Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor that the other guys end up making plays only by mistake at times.

 

[Darcimer]

Why isn't Crowder playing tonight? Everytime the Dolphins were in the nickel package, Spragan and Zach were in the game.

Crowder started at WLB. The fact that he didn't show up in the statbox might be telling us something.

 

[nortobc]

Crowder played the entire first half.You won't notice him much -- that scheme is so friendly to Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor that the other guys end up making plays only by mistake at times.

I have him as my #3 LB in BOTH of my leagues.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Crowder played the entire first half.You won't notice him much -- that scheme is so friendly to Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor that the other guys end up making plays only by mistake at times.

I have him as my #3 LB in BOTH of my leagues.

Well, as always, this is just pre-season play.However, while Crowder will probably better his 53 solo/85 total tackle performance this year, it's hard to think he'll be more than a replacement level player while Zach Thomas is around. When Thomas gets sent to the glue factory, though, there's no reason to think Crowder can't reproduce Thomas' numbers if the scheme holds.

 

[nortobc]

Crowder played the entire first half.You won't notice him much -- that scheme is so friendly to Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor that the other guys end up making plays only by mistake at times.

I have him as my #3 LB in BOTH of my leagues.

Well, as always, this is just pre-season play.However, while Crowder will probably better his 53 solo/85 total tackle performance this year, it's hard to think he'll be more than a replacement level player while Zach Thomas is around. When Thomas gets sent to the glue factory, though, there's no reason to think Crowder can't reproduce Thomas' numbers if the scheme holds.

But why wasn't Crowder in the nickel package? I thought he was a 3 down back? Maybe I was mistaken, but I thought I saw Spragan as the other nickel backer w/ Zach.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Crowder played the entire first half.You won't notice him much -- that scheme is so friendly to Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor that the other guys end up making plays only by mistake at times.

I have him as my #3 LB in BOTH of my leagues.

Well, as always, this is just pre-season play.However, while Crowder will probably better his 53 solo/85 total tackle performance this year, it's hard to think he'll be more than a replacement level player while Zach Thomas is around. When Thomas gets sent to the glue factory, though, there's no reason to think Crowder can't reproduce Thomas' numbers if the scheme holds.

But why wasn't Crowder in the nickel package? I thought he was a 3 down back? Maybe I was mistaken, but I thought I saw Spragan as the other nickel backer w/ Zach.

Not sure. Just took a second look. When the Panthers set up in three wide alignment in the first half, the Dolphins split time in a dime look (Thomas only backer) and nickel looks (Crowder once, Spragan three times). Neither Crowder or Spragan are particularly good in coverage.I honestly don't know if Crowder played in nickel packages last season. I thought he did toward the end of the year. I'll check out the Fins homer forums and see if there's anything worthwhile.

 

[brakeyawself]

Crowder played the entire first half.You won't notice him much -- that scheme is so friendly to Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor that the other guys end up making plays only by mistake at times.

I have him as my #3 LB in BOTH of my leagues.

Well, as always, this is just pre-season play.However, while Crowder will probably better his 53 solo/85 total tackle performance this year, it's hard to think he'll be more than a replacement level player while Zach Thomas is around. When Thomas gets sent to the glue factory, though, there's no reason to think Crowder can't reproduce Thomas' numbers if the scheme holds.

But why wasn't Crowder in the nickel package? I thought he was a 3 down back? Maybe I was mistaken, but I thought I saw Spragan as the other nickel backer w/ Zach.

Not sure. Just took a second look. When the Panthers set up in three wide alignment in the first half, the Dolphins split time in a dime look (Thomas only backer) and nickel looks (Crowder once, Spragan three times). Neither Crowder or Spragan are particularly good in coverage.I honestly don't know if Crowder played in nickel packages last season. I thought he did toward the end of the year. I'll check out the Fins homer forums and see if there's anything worthwhile.

I cant really find anything. Hope you have better luck. Im thinking about trading this guy now. A few guys in my league are real high on him.

 

[My Ditka]

Crowder played the entire first half.You won't notice him much -- that scheme is so friendly to Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor that the other guys end up making plays only by mistake at times.

How much longer will Zach be productive? Does Crowder take over at MLB next year?

 

[redman]

Crowder played the entire first half.You won't notice him much -- that scheme is so friendly to Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor that the other guys end up making plays only by mistake at times.

How much longer will Zach be productive? Does Crowder take over at MLB next year?

That would appear to be the issue, now wouldn't it?

 

[brakeyawself]

Crowder played the entire first half.You won't notice him much -- that scheme is so friendly to Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor that the other guys end up making plays only by mistake at times.

How much longer will Zach be productive? Does Crowder take over at MLB next year?

That would appear to be the issue, now wouldn't it?

Well even if he does. Now Im wondering if he plays in the nickel then.

 

[redman]

From NFLPA.com regarding Zach Thomas:

2002: Signed a five-year contract extension through 2008 season on March 28, 2003

I'm looking for his cap totals. I have a tough time thinking that Miami would resign him or extend him given his age and wear and tear with Crowder already on their roster.EDIT: here we go, cap totals from Rotoworld:

2006: $4,950,000, 2007: $5,650,000, 2008: $5,650,000, 2009: Free Agent

Wow, he's pretty expensive for them to have, but the amount of his cap value doesn't go up significantly.

 

[brakeyawself]

From NFLPA.com regarding Zach Thomas:

2002: Signed a five-year contract extension through 2008 season on March 28, 2003

I'm looking for his cap totals. I have a tough time thinking that Miami would resign him or extend him given his age and wear and tear with Crowder already on their roster.EDIT: here we go, cap totals from Rotoworld:

2006: $4,950,000, 2007: $5,650,000, 2008: $5,650,000, 2009: Free Agent

Wow, he's pretty expensive for them to have, but the amount of his cap value doesn't go up significantly.

But im confused. That contract was in 2003, Crowder is newer to the league. What effect does he have?

 

[brakeyawself]

Crowder played the entire first half.You won't notice him much -- that scheme is so friendly to Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor that the other guys end up making plays only by mistake at times.

I have him as my #3 LB in BOTH of my leagues.

Well, as always, this is just pre-season play.However, while Crowder will probably better his 53 solo/85 total tackle performance this year, it's hard to think he'll be more than a replacement level player while Zach Thomas is around. When Thomas gets sent to the glue factory, though, there's no reason to think Crowder can't reproduce Thomas' numbers if the scheme holds.

But why wasn't Crowder in the nickel package? I thought he was a 3 down back? Maybe I was mistaken, but I thought I saw Spragan as the other nickel backer w/ Zach.

Not sure. Just took a second look. When the Panthers set up in three wide alignment in the first half, the Dolphins split time in a dime look (Thomas only backer) and nickel looks (Crowder once, Spragan three times). Neither Crowder or Spragan are particularly good in coverage.I honestly don't know if Crowder played in nickel packages last season. I thought he did toward the end of the year. I'll check out the Fins homer forums and see if there's anything worthwhile.

Im concerned about Crowder because I invested in him in a Dynasty, thinking he was a lock to take over for Thomas. But You say hes not particularly good in coverage. That has me worried that, either a he wont take over for thomas or b. even if he does he wont play 3rd down. Is he the type of player I should hold on to? Does he have the skills?

 

[Jene Bramel]

Unless you're in a pretty harsh roster squeeze, I'm firmly in the get talent-hold talent camp. I'll hold a roster spot for a guy like DJ Williams/Channing Crowder/Demorrio Williams/Barrett Ruud until I just can't justify it any longer. Guys that have top ten potential in the right situation/scheme.

We've made a big deal out of nickel linebackers this month and it is important. But don't lose sight of the forest from the trees. The big picture is that Crowder is an elite linebacker talent who has huge potential when Zach Thomas moves on/gets injured/whatever. Don't get hung up on whether or not he'll play on passing downs after a couple of pre-season games.

Crowder's value is not as a starting linebacker this season -- it's for the future. He's almost certainly going to play in nickel packages as the starting MLB without Thomas around. Though it isn't his strength, he's athletic enough to hold his own in coverage. If he doesn't, he'll still be a viable LB2-3 player and probably a very nice sell high candidate.

Patience grasshoppers, IMO.

Then again, Norton once described this part of my dynasty playbook. His thoughts are memorialized in my signature.

 

[brakeyawself]

Unless you're in a pretty harsh roster squeeze, I'm firmly in the get talent-hold talent camp. I'll hold a roster spot for a guy like DJ Williams/Channing Crowder/Demorrio Williams/Barrett Ruud until I just can't justify it any longer. Guys that have top ten potential in the right situation/scheme.We've made a big deal out of nickel linebackers this month and it is important. But don't lose sight of the forest from the trees. The big picture is that Crowder is an elite linebacker talent who has huge potential when Zach Thomas moves on/gets injured/whatever. Don't get hung up on whether or not he'll play on passing downs after a couple of pre-season games.Crowder's value is not as a starting linebacker this season -- it's for the future. He's almost certainly going to play in nickel packages as the starting MLB without Thomas around. Though it isn't his strength, he's athletic enough to hold his own in coverage. If he doesn't, he'll still be a viable LB2-3 player and probably a very nice sell high candidate.Patience grasshoppers, IMO. Then again, Norton once described this part of my dynasty playbook. His thoughts are memorialized in my signature.

Ahh thanks. Thats kind of how I feel too. I guess part of my problem is Ruud is still on the waiver wire, and he's looked much better than Crowder when he gets the chance to be otu there. So I was thinking about just using Crowder as a "throw in" to upgrade somewhere and then grab Ruud before anyone else notices

 

[Jene Bramel]

Unless you're in a pretty harsh roster squeeze, I'm firmly in the get talent-hold talent camp. I'll hold a roster spot for a guy like DJ Williams/Channing Crowder/Demorrio Williams/Barrett Ruud until I just can't justify it any longer. Guys that have top ten potential in the right situation/scheme.We've made a big deal out of nickel linebackers this month and it is important. But don't lose sight of the forest from the trees. The big picture is that Crowder is an elite linebacker talent who has huge potential when Zach Thomas moves on/gets injured/whatever. Don't get hung up on whether or not he'll play on passing downs after a couple of pre-season games.Crowder's value is not as a starting linebacker this season -- it's for the future. He's almost certainly going to play in nickel packages as the starting MLB without Thomas around. Though it isn't his strength, he's athletic enough to hold his own in coverage. If he doesn't, he'll still be a viable LB2-3 player and probably a very nice sell high candidate.Patience grasshoppers, IMO. Then again, Norton once described this part of my dynasty playbook. His thoughts are memorialized in my signature.

Ahh thanks. Thats kind of how I feel too. I guess part of my problem is Ruud is still on the waiver wire, and he's looked much better than Crowder when he gets the chance to be otu there. So I was thinking about just using Crowder as a "throw in" to upgrade somewhere and then grab Ruud before anyone else notices

Don't sell low on Crowder, though, even packaged he should still help fetch something reasonable.

 

[houndirish]

I think patience is directly linked to how deep an owner is at said position.