Crowder discussion.........

[Defense54]

He is one player I really do not like. Its one thing to be outspoken and cocky , and another to be and not back it up. This guy is a HUGE hole in the middle of our defense that causes extra stress at every other position. I don't expect him to be Zach Thomas, but he just can not hold many tackles after contact. he is always a step behind, he just does not appear to be very intelligent when it comes to reading an offense. Always a step behind.

Tim Dobbins who we scored from SD with that 1st round trade might be an answer:
 http://www.thephinsider.com/2010/5/5/1458374/can-tim-dobbins-unseat-channing

If we can get him or one of the rookies to step in and up the play at that position , that alone would make the Dolphins a much improved Team. They hit linebacker hard in the draft so I'm guessing the Trifecta feels the same. Crowder needs to start shitting or get off the Pot. Improved play at this position will give safeties and DB's much more freedom to handle their positions more effectively.

[Brian Fein]

I remember a game last year (Houston maybe?) when Crowder was hurt and didn't play.  The run defense up the middle was porous and no one could stop anyone.  They gave up like 200 on the ground that day.

Crowder, if nothing else, fills a hole well.  He could be playing very well, but I do agree that his lack of big plays at a limelight position is concerning.  Lucky for us, he has a guy named Dansby standing next to him this season.  If you have to choose to run at Crowder or Dansby, I'd run at Crowder.

[Defense54]

Good point. he is not completely useless. Thats what I meant by him hopefully stepping it up. Its his job to lose, but I'm just really glad that they not only noticed his lack of play , but they are addressing it as well with trades , free agents, and Rookies. Should be a heck of a battle this spring!

[Doc-phin]

I also tend to be a Crowder supporter.  I do my best not to let it influence my judgement of his play, but I think the guy is hilarious and probably a good guy to have in the locker room.

Beyond that... I like his size and speed.  He is a good tackler and has really improved over the last year or two at getting off blocks.  He does a good job getting to the QB, but it seems like they are always sending him on the QB's front side and therefore the QB usually sees him coming and can get rid of the ball.  It is hard to catch, but you can actually see him calling out a lot of the offenses plays correctly so I think he does his homework.

On the bad side... he doesn't try to strip the ball, tip the ball or catch the ball.  Unfortunately this results in good tackling with very few highlight style plays (which usually are game changing plays).  As I mentioned before, his speed is good but it isn't necessarily great; he seems just fast enough not to get burned in pass coverage but not so fast that he can cover outside runs and screen passes on either side (like a Ray Lewis or Patrick Willis).

Crowder just needs to work on getting one of his tackling hands on the ball and see if he can knock a few out.  If he does that, opinions will start to change on how good or bad he is.   

[Defense54]

You think he is a good tackler? He had 44 last year. Thats pathetic. He had 1 decent season in 2008 with 92. Funny , that was  contract year for him. He gets it and now has a career low of 44. I think he has the ability but lacks motivation. He got motivated by the Jets and their fat ass coach and he was on that day. Then the spark dies. I love a cocky SOB like anyone else. I was psyched when we signed Incognito for that reason. But back it up!! Hopefully the new Talent around him will do that .

[Doc-phin]

You think he is a good tackler? He had 44 last year. Thats pathetic.

Don't get wrapped up in stats.  Tackles aren't an official stat anyway.  When Crowder gets his hands on a player they go down (and usually backwards).

What isn't in the stats...

-Crowder missed a lot of play time.  He was in games but didn't play a full time role due to injury. 
-Obviously our team weakness was our defensive backfield.  Linebackers generally aren't in on tackles 20+ yards down field.
-Our D-line was exceptional at stopping the run last year.  There weren't a lot of tackles to be made (by linebackers) on runs inside the tackle box.
-We dominated on time of possession.  The defense wasn't on the field much (sad but true).
-Our defense under Pasqualoni was gap control; his responsibility was for his gap and I didn't see many teams run at him.  Usually they went after Porter.
-Wilson played very close to scrimmage for a free safety and often would get jump on run plays.  Unfortunately, he should have spent more time focusing on pass defense.  It took away from some of the tackles typically made by the linebackers.


This is stuff we all know, but for some reason people just want to look at stats.  I just don't get it.

[bsfins]

I remember a game last year (Houston maybe?) when Crowder was hurt and didn't play.  The run defense up the middle was porous and no one could stop anyone.  They gave up like 200 on the ground that day.

Crowder, if nothing else, fills a hole well.  He could be playing very well, but I do agree that his lack of big plays at a limelight position is concerning.  Lucky for us, he has a guy named Dansby standing next to him this season.  If you have to choose to run at Crowder or Dansby, I'd run at Crowder.

We gave up 182 yds on  the ground to Carolina, and 200 to the Steelers.Crowder started and played in 13 games, including the Carolina game.

When Crowder gets his hands on a player they go down (and usually backwards).

Total homerism,and B.S...He tries to go for the big hit too much, and fails to wrap up

Personally, I think Crowder is complete waste of a roster spot,but trying to argue against it...Is like throwing Shit on a wall....

[Defense54]

We gave up 182 yds on  the ground to Carolina, and 200 to the Steelers.Crowder started and played in 13 games, including the Carolina game.

Total homerism,and B.S...He tries to go for the big hit too much, and fails to wrap up

Personally, I think Crowder is complete waste of a roster spot,but trying to argue against it...Is like throwing Shit on a wall....

Ohh I agree with you 100%. 

Not just the stats. The guy misses Tackles left and right. He's never around the ball.

Doc I agree with you most of the time but we gotta agree to disagree here on Crowder:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlmz_L1-aHw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrGSUp05BbU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erzZD5W2m9M&feature=PlayList&p=9E8B2C03B3E73F73&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=54

He gets his hands on you they get away 50% of the time. I'm a defense junkie. I don't know it all, but I can tell when a member of the Team is lacking. Just the draft picks can tell you what positions need improvment. 

[Defense54]

This is what I want to see more of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPhCxz-aWr4

   God I miss those days. Our entire backfield was free because Zack would run sideline to side line.

[Dave Gray]

I like Crowder and think that we miss something when he's out of the lineup.  It's fine if you want to find a better player to replace him, but right now, I don't think we have that, and history has shown us that when he misses games, our run defense is porous.  He's no Zach Thomas, but Zach is old and not on the team anymore.  It's great to talk about the good 'ole days, but here and now, I think that Crowder is our best option.

[afphinfan]

Only time will tell but to me the key is this: Dansby upgraded the Crowder spot and if Crowder plays better than Ayodele then this is a plus. Dansby will also replace Crowder in the 4-3 so another plus.

[Defense54]

I just want him to either feel the heat of competition and start giving 100% every play OR step aside and let someone else who will do it. Either way I like the approach and believe will will be better at this position with or without him. Last year was a Joke. Plus this year I want Jason Taylor jokes to go with the fat boy rex ones!!

[BigDaddyFin]

I have far too many images of him flying off a tight end running for another touchdown to think he's of that much use to us.  I'd much rather see them replace him. 

[Defense54]

I have far too many images of him flying off a tight end running for another touchdown to think he's of that much use to us.  I'd much rather see them replace him. 

Thats what I remember! ? Maybe Doc has him mixed up with another guy?

[Doc-phin]

Doc I agree with you most of the time but we gotta agree to disagree here on Crowder:

No problem.  We can disagree.  I don't really see how those videos display Crowder's insufficiencies as a tackler though.  Washington and Smith got a couple of good blindside shots on the guy.  Happens all the time.

I think you probably understand this, but in case anyone is confused...  The 4-3 is designed to allow the middle linebacker to move freely and be the main guy to diagnose and execute on tackling short yardage ball carriers.  That is why Zach and many other 4-3 middle linebackers appear to be such studs (not that they aren't great players).  The 3-4 doesn't give a designated linebacker so much freedom.  Instead, each linebacker will typically be responsible for a gap.  If the ball carrier doesn't go to their gap that linebacker will be used in a supporting role and not as the primary defender.

Also, Crowder wasn't usually matched up with tight ends.  That responsibility is typically on either an outside linebacker or safety.  Once in a while defenses change this up, but I can't remember an instance were Crowder blew his coverage one of the big tight end plays that was made this past season.  The two biggest faults I have seen Crowder make was when he didn't spy on Shaub when he ran in for a touch down 2 years ago at the end of the game and he has been slow to get to the outside on a few pitch plays and screen plays.  BTW- the Shaub play could have been a scheme issue more than his error.

Lastly, I think he wraps up pretty good and I don't see him sacrificing tackles for a big hit.  However, early in his 3-4 role he did seem to have trouble getting off blocks so I could probably agree on that.

I know very few will agree with me, but I personally think Crowder is under-rated.  Now that we have some proper 3-4 personnel in place to compliment him, I think he is primed to shine.  That is of course if Starks can get the job done at nose.