Channing Crowder, a six year starter for the Miami Dolphins who was cut after the team’s first training camp practice this year, announced his retirement today on the Sid Rosenberg Show (560 WQAM Miami). If his release came as a surprise, this is a downright shocker.
Always a great talker, Crowder did not go gently into that good night. When asked about the Dolphins organization, he didn’t mince words.
“They don’t want you to have a personality, they have a take everything and give nothing approach”
Crowder was very popular in the locker room and was the defensive leader of one of the best units in the NFL last season. A lot of fans and media members knock Crowder because he didn’t rack up the numbers an Inside Linebacker in the NFL should. In fact, he only had 2.5 sacks, 3 fumbles forced and 1 Interception in 6 Seasons. For the sake of comparison, his replacement, former Cowboy and Charger Kevin Burnett had 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions last season alone.
One thing Crowder doesn’t get credit for was his ability to call out the plays and read the offense and put his teammates in position, a talent he learned from former Dolphin great Zach Thomas.
It wasn’t that he didn’t have interest from other teams, including the Patriots who brought him in for a workout, it seems to be more of a case of a guy wanting to go out on his own terms. He wanted to remain loyal to the Dolphins despite their lack of reciprocity. He is also expecting a child and didn’t to bounce from team to team.
On the subject of his talking, he is probably best known for two incidents in the media. He engaged in a war of words with Jets coach Rex Ryan, who said (albeit tounge in cheek) that if he were younger he would “handle him myself” and that he has “walked over guys tougher than him on his way to a fight”. They talked tough but eventually it got to a point where it was almost like watching two wrestlers playing their roles and stir up the fan bases, judge for yourself.
The other incident involved former Ravens running back LaRon McLain “allegedly” spitting in his face during a heated on field exchange. The league ruled McLain didn’t spit, but the video is pretty clear that he made a spitting motion. Crowder (and teammate Karlos Dansby) were not happy.
I will be live at Dolphins camp tomorrow so follow me on twitter @psicher for updates. Also, if you have any questions for any Dolphins players, be sure to hit me up and I will see if I can get them answered for you.