Falcons likely to take a look at Channing Crowder
Channing Crowder on Radio Row for Super Bowl XLVI. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/Dledbetter@ajc.com)
INDIANAPOLIS – The Falcons have been in touch with former Miami linebacker Channing Crowder, who plans to make a comeback after sitting out last season.
Crowder, the former North Springs High and Florida standout who prematurely retired at age 28, is ready to make a comeback. The Atlanta Falcons, who hired Crowder’s last defensive coordinator in Mike Nolan, have been in touch and will most certainly check out Crowder.
“I’d love to play in Atlanta,” Crowder said. “Coach Nolan is my guy. Actually, when he got the job in Atlanta he [sent] me a text. Coach Nolan is a first class guy. I’m not just saying that to be politically correct. He’s a first class guy and a great defensive coordinator. He’s a great guy. When he I got released he texted me back then and said that ‘it was great to coach you.’”
In his most recent text to Crowder, Nolan just told Crowder that he was landing in his hometown.
“I told him if he needs a better linebacker let me know,” Crowder said. “He texted me back and said ‘I’ll keep in touch.’ ”
Crowder was working on radio row during the Super Bowl week for 560 WQAM, a South Florida radio station.
He retired last season because of a family situation.
“What happened was, the Dolphins released me the second day of camp,” Crowder said. “My wife was 37 weeks pregnant and I had to workout for the Patriots. Me and my agent [Joel Segal] were working on setting up some other workouts. When I went to New England, I felt funny leaving my wife.
“She couldn’t travel at 37 weeks. I would have went straight into camp and would have missed my son’s birth. He was born early term, like the next week, so I would have really missed his birth.”
Crowder, who started 74 games and played in 82, did not send in his retirement papers to the league. He was selected by the Dolphins in the third-round of the 2005 draft, 70th overall.
“I react with my heart,” Crowder said. “It was not a real rational thing. This is the NFL and you only have a certain window. I didn’t feel like leaving my wife. I wanted to be there for my first child to be born so I said I was going to hang it up.”
Missing last season wasn’t tough for Crowder, who just concentrated on his radio career.
“But what surprised me was the mental aspect of it,” Crowder said. “The pressure that it puts on you and the stress that it puts on you; just knowing that from week-to-week you are trying to perform at your highest level to keep a job.
“Just the mental relaxation was cool. But then watching guys, personally I’m bias, that I think I can play with and guys that I think I’m better than, was tough. We’ll see what happens. I’ll work out and see if anybody shows me some attention.”
Crowder said that his wife is fine and that his son is healthy at 18 pounds and 25 inches long.
“He’s a big ol’ boy, now,” Crowder said.
Crowder worked out at Athletes Edge at Florida Atlantic University during the lockout. He’ll go back there and try to get back in NFL shape.
“There is working out and then there is football working out,” Crowder said. “I’ve got to ramp that up. I’ve been running and keeping that sexy look up. Just trying to keep my weight down. I’ve been doing that kind of working out. When I get back on Monday, I’m going to get back into football workouts. I would love to play football again.”
If football doesn’t work out for Crowder, he figures he’s a natural for a career in radio.
“During my playing career I was always known as an outspoken and loud mouth player,” Crowder said. “What is radio? People who are outspoken and have a loud mouth. So there is kind of a natural connection. I love the opportunity that I have with 560.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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67 comments Add your comment
SUPERBUST
February 6th, 2012
10:35 am
FIRST !
Joel Johnston
February 6th, 2012
10:37 am
I enjoyed the article on Georgia involvement in the Super Bowl.
PATRIOTS ARE A JOKE
February 6th, 2012
10:37 am
NO THANKS GATOR BIG MOUTH !
GDawg
February 6th, 2012
10:40 am
First
Queensbridge
February 6th, 2012
10:42 am
First…what will the Falcons be looking at? I’m a Falcon fan born and raised in NY but have been living in Miami for the last 10 years so I’ve seen a lot of Crowder and have heard what people think about him and unfortunately it’s not much. Dude never panned out in the NFL and his smack talk definitey outweighs his ability to make plays. Dude is garbage and we would be digressing compared to any of the LBs that are currently on the roster. Falcs shouldn’t waste their time.
Fred Macmurray
February 6th, 2012
10:45 am
If they want a big mouth they should sign my good friend Carol Channing
Dan
February 6th, 2012
10:56 am
Sign him!
Los Angeles Falcons
February 6th, 2012
11:02 am
This guy sounds like a replacement for Mike Peterson — over the hill trash talker WITH DREADS, who won’t play much but is supposed to get the guys fired up in the locker room. PASS.
Hose
February 6th, 2012
11:03 am
Bring him in on a one year contract and have him compete for a spot. If he earns his keep then consider signing him for much longer.
fanATicaL
February 6th, 2012
11:33 am
Maybe he can compete for Petersen’s slot
Robdawg
February 6th, 2012
11:54 am
Orlando, The last thing the Falcons need is a big mouthed, trash talkin ex gator. He did nothing in Miami. He is not anything close to what the Falcons need unless they wany to continue that streak since 1966 of no SB celebrations. The alternative is go siogn some guys who actually make plays on the field and keep their mouths shut till they have actually done something. They should start bt seeing what the teams that played yesterday are doing differently. It seems that some Patriots were celebrating a little prematurely (like Hernandez every time he got a first down). Let’s lay off of the primadonnas and sign some playmakers. I would start with Cornerbacks, Safetys and LBs. We also need a playmaker on the DL. Someone to cause a disruption. How the Giants can have three of these guys and we have maybe one. And he is old. Your suggestion of this idiot would just keeps the falcons right where they have been for over 30 years. Right in the middle of mediocracy. Take this guy with his Deion starter set and you two go to Philly with MV. Ya’ll both fit in right there. NO MORE LOSERS!
Dee
February 6th, 2012
11:58 am
“I told him if he needs a better linebacker let me know,” Crowder said.
OUCH.
Mr. Swamp Man
February 6th, 2012
12:07 pm
come to the SAINTS
we want crowder! we want crowder! we want crowder!
James
February 6th, 2012
12:18 pm
We need play makers but I don’t think his heart is in it. I wouldn’t waste time on him.
James
February 6th, 2012
12:21 pm
I hope King Arthur and Dimitroff watched the playoffs and Superbowl and really understand you have to have a pass rush and pass protection to win in this league. Win I say win I mean championships. Yes we can beat below average teams but good teams we struggle.
Falcon James
February 6th, 2012
12:21 pm
I have no idea who this cat is but the first thing I see is him talking smack about if we needs someone better. We already got someone on the team to who like to trash talk. That be Roddy White. Sure he drop the ball alot and get penalties for no apparent reason, but he did make the pro bowl. So he get a pass from me for now. What this guy done? From all the post, he worthless just like Dunta. We don’t need a trash talker on Defence. We someone like Lofton who just go out and make plays. Is he better than Lofton or Weatherspoon? More importantly, can he control his flapping gums? He the answer is yes, give him a workout, if no, then let the Raider take him. Thats where all the big mouth, non play making, washed up players end up anyway.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 6th, 2012
12:24 pm
Robdawg — I think they want to upgrade their talent level. Not sure if Crowder is an upgrade, but he certainly could help teach Nolan’s scheme.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 6th, 2012
12:25 pm
Los Angeles Falcons — What do you have against DREADS?
Andre
February 6th, 2012
12:39 pm
I don’t know what’s wrong with yall, I would love to have a big mouth trash talker here. Maybe somebody can get this sorry @$$ team fired up for a change.
FHZ
February 6th, 2012
12:47 pm
3-4.
aj
February 6th, 2012
1:16 pm
Ugh.What did he accomplish at Florida or in Miami? This big,clumsy,slow,couldnt cover my grandmama set of chattering teeth with legs would be nothing but a distraction and a cancer to a team in need of some leadership and character,not in need of more BAD characters. Maybe the Ravens could use his motor mouth and menacing ,scary glare.Whatever.
skidmark
February 6th, 2012
1:39 pm
Why? That’s all we need is another retread in here.
I got nothing against dreads…as long as their kept clean. If not, talk about nasty and stinky. They smell like your grandmothers armpit when not kempt….or azzzzz.
Mike Franklin
February 6th, 2012
1:44 pm
Blunt an outspoken, Crowder could be a liability or… if a little more mature now, quite an asset!
Back on another subject… I (and a few others) would really appreciate an article/blog post in re a new stadium with retractable dome that we could comment to. Just because Fulton County or the AJC may not WANT to hear what we have to say, doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be said. After all, it will be the taxpaying, ticket-buying public that ends up with at least some part of the coast. We should have the right to speak our opinions!
Falcons interested in Channing Crowder – Pro Football Zone
February 6th, 2012
1:55 pm
[...] to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Falcons have contacted former Dolphins linebacker Channing [...]
ejj
February 6th, 2012
1:59 pm
This guy is sorry, leave him be, he is not worth it. We need pass rushers (beasts), he is not that type of player.
Joe Tess Fish House
February 6th, 2012
2:01 pm
So he is a quiter? We dont need N E more quiters on this team. Perrier Jerry is more then enuff!
bigdave
February 6th, 2012
2:17 pm
are yall serious.. this dude is better than any LB on the roster, save Spoon..
gb5684
February 6th, 2012
2:29 pm
man get crowder and get nicholas out of there im tired of all these funny nice guys we need somebody with some toughness nicholas aint made a play since college and all yall nice guys go watch golf this is football holmes
Chicken Farmer
February 6th, 2012
2:43 pm
Anybody else notice in all the pregame stuff all day long that it kept coming up that New Orleans turned their entire program around with a defeat of the Falcons on a blocked punt in 2009. They’ve been on a roll ever since. Then there were the numerous other snippets of video showing other teams having their way with our middle of the pack birds. Just wondered if anyone else noticed it.
FalconFan
February 6th, 2012
2:46 pm
Seriously?? We are going to get the Superbowl with this kind of thinking? Hiring a used up LB….look at his pic, he has the size of a small defensive back?
Hamad Meander
February 6th, 2012
3:08 pm
I’m sorry, when did Channing Crowder move to offensive line?
Falcons Reach Out to Former Dolphins LB Crowder » Falcons Gab
February 6th, 2012
3:31 pm
[...] The Falcons have been in touch with former Miami linebacker Channing Crowder, who plans to make a comeback after sitting out last season, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. [...]
Hamad Meander
February 6th, 2012
3:33 pm
Mike Franklin – agreed. Let’s talk about the stadium issue. How about now? VOTE NO to a new stadium. New Stadium = More taxes = More money for the rich and less for the commoners. I love how they pop up taxes on hotels and rental cars and say “The locals aren’t going to pay for any of the stadium”. Locals pay when less conventions come here to due cost, when THEY rent cars, when their family comes into town and rents a hotel room, and when the city has to maintain TWO NFL quality stadiums instead of just one.
JoFo
February 6th, 2012
4:04 pm
I think “Hose” has the right idea!
FalconsAndGatorFanFromCali
February 6th, 2012
4:46 pm
im by far the BIGGEST Falcons and Gator fan that i know!!! Been a fan of ATL since before Deion Sanders, and been a Gator fan sicne Emmit Smith.. so on that note, i say SIGN CROWDER FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!! one of our weakest positions was at LB, and he would be a great asset!! And Mike Nolan is about to make a world of difference on that Atlanta Defense!!!!! Falcons and Giants NFC championship 2012
Would Channing Crowder be a good signing for Falcons? | Falcons Focus – Atlanta Falcons Blog, Opinion and Analysis
February 6th, 2012
5:22 pm
[...] Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reports that the Falcons “have been in touch” with former Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder, who played under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan in Miami. After being released by the [...]
Sid
February 6th, 2012
5:54 pm
He’s after your job DLed……………!!
alex
February 6th, 2012
6:11 pm
at orlando, in relation to dreads: because they look STUPID, plain and simple STUPID….now respond to that……
jerry
February 6th, 2012
6:26 pm
Why doesn’t the AJC annointed genius, Dimitroff, draft a pro bowler in the 7th round. And earn that genius title.
Falconidiot
February 6th, 2012
7:17 pm
Falcons need to get mean and tough and although he shows some flashes of that, i don’t think he’s tough enough. I met him once in person, he’ make a good cornerback against a slow reciever.
JONESBORO SLIM
February 6th, 2012
8:28 pm
I’m just sitting here reading this blog and wondering what do you Falcon fans really want…you say you want a beast of a pass rusher but yet he has to be a Choir boy…if we keep thinking like this we’ll have the finest “Mens choir” in the country….so make up your minds…me myself I could care less what guy does…he could be a nasty cutblocking legwhipping S.O.B.as long as we Win…Win…Win
Laughing out LOUD
February 6th, 2012
8:34 pm
Enter your comments here
Laughing out LOUD
February 6th, 2012
8:37 pm
If the bloggers on here are posting Crowder is no good, a sorry ass bum, over the hill, loud mouth trash talker or anything else they can come up with, I say by all means sign the guy! They know nothing, but to vilify a person! I say GO FALCONS! Get the man in uniform and move on to the Super Bowl next year!
Nique
February 6th, 2012
9:10 pm
There have been some really ignorant comments on here, sometimes i really wonder if ppl watch the games, Crowder is a no brainer pick up if he wants to come here. He knows the system, is young, proven with over 100 tackles twice in his 6 years in the NFL, & is someone who will allow us to truly explore the 3-4 scheme from a talent perspective at LB without having a major drop off in talent with the 4th lb on the field.
Ripcord
February 6th, 2012
9:43 pm
Bring him to camp and lets see what he can do..nothing to lose and a lot to gain.
Roger
February 6th, 2012
9:45 pm
Like the man Dreads and all -hell yes do it!
Ray Reed
February 6th, 2012
9:55 pm
D.O.L, didn’t he lead the dolphins in tackles his last year? How are the knees?
Gritsfalcon
February 7th, 2012
12:05 am
I didn’t see anything in the article where Mike Nolan said he wanted to bring him in or that he’d be an asset to the team. Kinda tells you something doesn’ t it? Besides the ‘birds ONLY have 28 million $$$ to play with….they’ll have to be judicious in how they spend it.
Gritsfalcon
February 7th, 2012
12:08 am
In fact, according th Crowder, the last text he got from Nolan said; “I’ll keep in touch.” Sounds like something you say when you break-up with somebody.
Falcons interested in adding Channing Crowder | yoursportsinfo.com
February 7th, 2012
7:02 am
[...] love to play in Atlanta,” the 28-year-old Crowder said, according to the Journal-Constitution. “Coach Nolan is [...]
old man
February 7th, 2012
7:47 am
Do whatever Nolan says. He knows the guy, we don’t. Starting a family can change an attitude. He was a third rounder, so something was there. Right now, you would call him a bust of a third rounder. But let him get in football shape and take a look. Stranger things have happened. There are lots of 3+ round picks that are in the Pro Bowl every year.
JayCool4DaBirds
February 7th, 2012
9:33 am
Signing Crowded would be a great idea, but only as long as they keep Lofton. He would be a good replacement for Mike Peterson, who is just getting to old, despite the fact that he lays wood on special teams. Plus you will be getting a guy who understands the defense.
Diehardo Falcon
February 7th, 2012
11:42 am
We still have months away lets bring Crowder in and practice,,I am talking about practice, practice man..then we will go from there and see what he can do…yeah?
Tom G
February 7th, 2012
11:49 am
Ok people, we need players with attitudes at OL, DL, and LB, not a bunch of choir-boys, if we ever want to beat the big-boys in the NFL!! I don’t care if he talks, as long as he backs it up! Get OL Harvey Dahl back from Rams would be a good start, if Channing can still play at high level, he’s worth a serious look. Didn’t he play with Tebow at Fla? Maybe Tebow can show Matt Ryan where the weight-room is?
Prime Time
February 7th, 2012
11:56 am
matty is a little wimpy looking now isn’t he….
Tom G
February 7th, 2012
12:00 pm
Prime Time – Especially after you see Tim!!!
Backlinkz − ‘Retired’ Dolphins LB Crowder interested in playing for Falcons − Backlinkz
February 7th, 2012
4:25 pm
[...] Miami Dolphins[1] linebacker Channing Crowder told the Atlanta Journal Constitution[2] that he wants to play with the Atlanta Falcons[3] next [...]
‘Retired’ Dolphins LB Crowder interested in playing for Falcons | Sports, News, Entertainment, US Legislation
February 7th, 2012
6:01 pm
[...] Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that he wants to play with the Atlanta Falcons next [...]
joe
February 7th, 2012
7:21 pm
I don’t know Crowder, never noticed him playing, have nothing against him, but fielding a team with players who have been cut don’t sound like a good strategy.
Falcons Reach Out to Former Dolphins LB Crowder | fans-talk.com
February 7th, 2012
8:35 pm
[...] The Falcons have been in touch with former Miami linebacker Channing Crowder, who plans to make a comeback after sitting out last season, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. [...]
TRIGG
February 8th, 2012
3:17 am
LMAO…….. Hire him as a coach! Nothing more & nothing less! THATISALL!!!
Just lay the wood
February 8th, 2012
6:10 am
Chan can bring it, IF he wants to. The guy runs around killing wild pigs in FL. What can it hurt, give him a shot. And you dog fans that keep bringing up that, no,no, he is a gator. wth does that have to do with anything? If he can still play, I would love our D to have a nasty side to it cause we need it,BAD!
Big Crimson 75
February 8th, 2012
8:50 pm
Bring him into Camp & let’s see what happens. Maybe it’ll work out. He was decent in Miami. Crowder is Loftin with a bigger mouth. Personally, I think this team needs a few more mouths on it — just maybe not this guy.
aj
February 9th, 2012
8:40 am
Oh goodness me,I stand corrected. Apparently the mob decries that this guy (”I couldn’t find London on a map if they didn’t have the names of the countries,” he said. “I swear to God. I don’t know what nothing is. I know Italy looks like a boot. 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.” ) would somehow be beneficial to this team and help them not be publicly humiliated in the playoffs AGAIN. No one will simply admit they need a major overhaul.The Giants beat this team all the way down and it was just plain Awful to watch. All the big noisy talk,tattoos dreadlocks and phony ’swagga’ in the world wont alter that fact.
falconsrelax
February 9th, 2012
2:41 pm
You falcon fans really annoy me sometimes. You have no clue of what your talking about and diss non stop sometimes. Channing Crowder was apart of a defense of miami dolphins and knows nolan defense. Why wouldn’t we go after him? CHanning crowder is who you need. Trash talk? SEAN WEATHERSPOON IS THE BIGGEST TRASH TALKER ON THE TEAM, you need guys like that. Nicholas took the money but hasn’t delivered, channing crowder can play LOLB and stuff the run. Spoon, lofton, and crowder? I CAN LIVE WITH THAT. Not to mention going after Mario Williams in FA.
Kris G
February 10th, 2012
3:59 am
Amazing how some of y’all think quality NFL players all look and act in a certain way. Choirboys over talent has not worked out for us. It just doesn’t work like that. And for anybody dissing Roddy White, forget you… Roddy has been our best player for five years now.
Just lay the wood
February 10th, 2012
9:31 pm
The “London thing” he did was a joke. The guy may be a clown “on the air”,but he is not stupid,not by a long shot.