Channing Crowder

[It'll Happen11]

I went to training camp this past Thursday and watched Crowder at WLB with the 1st team and MLB with the 2nd team. He was very impressive at both positions(which I heard he has been everyday from all the camp reports), and even more so at WLB than MLB. This is from only the observation of one practice but he seems fit pretty well to play WLB. I know the idea has been floating around of him playing OLB, but which side? Im assuming he has the best chance to play at SLB where Donnie Spragan hasn't been too impressive this TC, but as far as I know he has not practiced at SLB, only WLB for the red-shirted Seau. How really different is it to play SLB and WLB in the NFL? Does Channing Crowder playing better at WLB than Donnie Spragan at SLB mean Crowder deserves to be the starting SLB? Or is the strongside and weakside two really different ball games in the NFL?

 

[It'll Happen11]

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[Mike13]

He'll probably play at a outside linebacker position, thats what he mainly played at UF, even though he played all 3 there.

 

[Jimmy James]

I think the responses you have gotten so far (or lack thereof) suggest this is a good question we don't have the answer to. Sorry, man.

 

[It'll Happen11]

I think the responses you have gotten so far (or lack thereof) suggest this is a good question we don't have the answer to. Sorry, man.

yeah I figured, I was bored so I bumped it..lol

 

[DolfanISS]

I hope we play our best 3 LB's and hope Seau is a situational player in 05. Thomas, Crowder and the much maligned Moore is what I'm rooting for Seau and Spragan coming off of the bench.

 

[It'll Happen11]

I hope we play our best 3 LB's and hope Seau is a situational player in 05. Thomas, Crowder and the much maligned Moore is what I'm rooting for Seau and Spragan coming off of the bench.

I really dont like Moore, besides the obvious reason that he gets injured way too often, he was getting man-handled by o-lineman last year while he was in for Seau. And also remember, before Seau got injured he was having his best season as a dolphin. I dont think he's done yet.

 

[rafael]

In Miami's system the SSLB is usually occupying a blocker. The WLB has more freedom to make plays. The skill sets are somewhat different. There are many fast LBs that excell on the weakside but just get swallowed up on the strong side. Crowder has good size so he might do just as well on either side, but IMO it's much easier for a rookie (with good instincts) to shine at WLB early on.

 

[Phinadict]

I thought I read somewhere that Saban had been impressed with Spragan so far (TC)?

 

[It'll Happen11]

In Miami's system the SSLB is usually occupying a blocker. The WLB has more freedom to make plays. The skill sets are somewhat different. There are many fast LBs that excell on the weakside but just get swallowed up on the strong side. Crowder has good size so he might do just as well on either side, but IMO it's much easier for a rookie (with good instincts) to shine at WLB early on.

Thats what I figured, thats also actually why I thought Morlon Greenwood wasn't as bad as everybody thought..because playing SLB in our system(or at least the last couple of years' system) is a black hole.

 

[TRUDOLFAN54]

I really dont like Moore, besides the obvious reason that he gets injured way too often, he was getting man-handled by o-lineman last year while he was in for Seau. And also remember, before Seau got injured he was having his best season as a dolphin. I dont think he's done yet.

100% agreed im just not big on moore i think it's just another bust of wanny camp........

 

[LarryFinFan]

Crowder can play any of the 4 positions that Saban has, but I would imagine, him being a rookie, he would be held to the WSLB and back up ZT in the middle. At least for this year, unless either injuries change the situation or he just takes off in that WSLB spot...but I also thought I read that Spraghan has impressed Saban as well and he really can do some damage if so...

 

[zephon]

my guess is that in 4-3 it Junior, Zach and Spragan....in 3-4 it's Junior, Crowder, Zach, Spragan. I believe we'll line up 1st series def in 4-3 most every game with some 3-4 mixed in because we have much better depth at LB rather than DT. But who knows right now, it's too early.

I do believe that Junior, Zach and Spragan are our set starters unless there is an injury. Spragan is going to suprise a lot of you. He's Derrick Rodgers only Bigger, Stronger, Faster, Smarter...and oh, better .:)

Junior will start unless he's hurt but will be subbed with Pope and Crowder to keep him healthy.

 

[Jimmy James]

my guess is that in 4-3 it Junior, Zach and Spragan....in 3-4 it's Junior, Crowder, Zach, Spragan. I believe we'll line up 1st series def in 4-3 most every game with some 3-4 mixed in because we have much better depth at LB rather than DT. But who knows right now, it's too early.

I do believe that Junior, Zach and Spragan are our set starters unless there is an injury. Spragan is going to suprise a lot of you. He's Derrick Rodgers only Bigger, Stronger, Faster, Smarter...and oh, better .:)

Junior will start unless he's hurt but will be subbed with Pope and Crowder to keep him healthy.

Are you suggesting that Taylor will be off the field when the team goes 3-4? Surely you don't have him playing end.

 

[DoctorFeelgood]

based on what we've heard from practice so far, I would expect to see lots of situations where any or all of Jason Taylor, David Bowens & Matt Roth are on the field as LB's when we're in the 3-4.

If you used Traylor or Chester as the NT, and Carter and Holliday as the ends, that's a fairly strong 3-4 D-line, and leaves you a lot of guys to pick from in terms of playing LB in that situation.