Report: Dolphins Cut Linebacker Channing Crowder
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – The Miami Dolphins made a surprising move Friday as training camp practices ended by cutting inside linebacker Channing Crowder, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald's Armando Salguero.
Crowder was set to make $5 million in 2011, which was also the final year of his contract with the Dolphins. Crowder's production had decreased the last two years and was grossly overpaid for what he gave the team last year and in 2009.
In 2010, Crowder had 39 tackles, no sacks, and just 2 passes defended in 11 games with the Fins. In 2009, Crowder played in 13 games and recorded just 52 tackles and 1 sack. Crowder played his best season in 2008 when he had 113 tackles and six passes defensed.
The Dolphins could plan on re-signing Crowder at a friendlier cap cost, but the decision to cut him has made that less likely.
The cutting of Crowder leaves a hole at middle linebacker for the Dolphins as they being preparations for their first preseason game. A few solid middle linebackers on the free agent wires are former Packers linebacker Nick Barnett and former San Francisco 49er Manny Lawson, though Lawson is an outside linebacker.
