Crowder's deal shows both sides moved

The agent for Channing Crowder, a good man named Joel Segal, was practically certain a few weeks ago his client was going to be playing elsewhere in 2009. He hadn't talked to the team in three weeks and the last time he had, he had turned down an offer that would have paid Crowder about $3.7 million per season, according to a source.

That was only slightly more than the team was paying Reggie Torbor on average. Torbor is a backup who signed a four-year deal worth $14 million last offseason.

It came as no surprise Segal turned down the offer as his client plays ahead of Torbor and was second on the Dolphins in tackles while Torbor plays primarily on special teams. Segal had no intentions of talking to the Dolphins again until the start of free agency.

Except that something happened on Crowder's path to unrestricted free agency. He legitimately wanted to stay and the Dolphins legitimately wanted to keep him -- perhaps understanding that Bart Scott is very likely going to return to Baltimore and not hit free agency.

So the sides got together again.

"We started talking again during the scouting Combine," Segal told me this afternoon.

One thing led to another and then another and by around 5 p.m. the sides agreed to a three-year deal. Segal declined to discuss the deal's worth as the Dolphins have sworn him to secrecy. But it's likely the deal is probably in the neighborhood of $4-$5 million per year over three years.

Torbor got $4 million in guaranteed money. Crowder almost certainly got more, perhaps $5 million, although that is an estimate.

"In talking to Channing, he made it very clear he was not interested in leaving the Dolphins,'' Segal told me. ``So now he is going to get his wish and stay with the team he wanted to be with.''

Crowder, meanwhile, is apparently quite happy with the deal, although he wishes it was a longer-term deal. 

The reason Crowder would have preferred a longer deal is it would have provided more money, particularly on the guaranteed end. The reason he's happy about the deal is the Dolphins moved toward him to get him signed.

The Dolphins don't feel like they overspent even though they improved their offers. But they don't get the long-term solution a five- or six-year deal might have offered. And, the Dolphins are not finished.

The team continues to talk with agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents both safeties Yeremiah Bell and Renaldo Hill. "Still talking on both players," Rosenhaus texted me earlier today. "Anything can happen between now and the start of free agency." 

Comments

[Turd Ferguson]

Good move Phin-nation.

[mattyb3347]

For those of you who think that the Dolphins have the ILB locked up please think again. Parcells and his staff did not give him a long term deal and the money he was wanting for a reason. So he is not the answer, now if you remember he did play OLB and was good. Do not forget Bart Scott is still unsigned and I think the Ravens will sign Brown before tomorrow morning. I could see Coles coming to Miami because he and Chad P are great friends and remember Coles was pissed when the Jets released him. As far as spending the #25 pick on a receiver, unless the kid from MD or NC is around I doubt that will happen. But only Parcells and staff know whats going on. I can not wait until friday morning as well and the draft. oh yea 1st..

[Phins fan in Tally]

First

[souljahbeats]

This is a good move! It would have been hard to upgrade from Crowder...he is the signal caller and one of the leaders of our D...When he was out in Kansas City it clearly affected our defense...Our LB core is still pretty thin, we could still draft a young stud to play along side Crowder...On another note, I didn't know Torbor got paid that much, is there any way the fins could cut him to get some cap room, he really doesn't contribute enough to get that kind of dough

[souljahbeats]

I think this also shows that players are buying into what Parcells and Sparano are doing and that they actually WANT to stay in Miami...this is shaping up to be a good offseason...

[jasonnc]

first

[jasonnc]

i never saw it coming to be honest. I'm stoked for the phins and Crowder.

Now we can really keep our options open for our first pick, like trade it!

[jasonnc]

i never saw it coming to be honest. I'm stoked for the phins and Crowder.

Now we can really keep our options open for our first pick, like trade it!

[ocalaphinfan]

matty, i was not aware coles was available. if that is true i think it would be great. I am happy with crowder resigning. I have said this before and am sticking with it, I hope we draft o-line with 1st pick.

[Tommya]

I guess the Fins realized there wasn't an upgrade at a reasonable price in FA.
And there wasn't an upgrade sitting in the draft.

[Fake GM]

Good signing. They didnt overpay and got their leading tackler back. Channing is not a pro bowler, but he is solid. You cant have a pro bowler at every position, you just want to head into the draft with as few needs as possible, which is what the Dolphins are doing. I love Crowder's intensity and am glad he's coming back.

[Mike]

just think the Phins are pointed in the right direction 1 year following the 1/15 debacle. Just think how things will look @ this same time next year.

[LarryC.]

Hell yea!!!! Go Gators!!!

[mattyb3347]

ocalaphinfan, they restructured his contract so that he could become an UFA this afternoon. That would be a decent receiver pick up to mentor our younger guys, and one that actually plays unlike Wilford.

[ocalaphinfan]

I just realized that coles may be available. I think he would be a great pick up for us.

[souljahbeats]

Fake Gm,

Crowder was the 2cnd leading tackler...Yeramiah Bell had the most tackles, we still have to sign him...that is probably comig tomorrow

[Fake GM]

Can you imagine if we had a starting offensive line of Jake Long, Smiley, Jason Brown, Donald Thomas, and Carey... We would literally run teams off the field with that lineup. I think Ronnie Brown is a 1500 yard back in that scenario, even if he only gets 18 carries a game. Getting Jason Brown would be sick...

[Randy]

WOW! Tuna would have cleaned out my poker chips on this one for sure. Nice signing. If we can score Brown at center, and resign our secondary FAs, we’ll be in NICE shape. If Coles is cheap, sign him too. Four picks in 3 rounds should yield a C(Mack? if Brown isn't signed), ILB(Cushing?), NT(Brace?), and another solid player(OLB, WR, CB, etc). Man this is looking better each day!! I agree with souljahbeats....Torbor needs to be replaced, renegotiated, or flat out released if it doesn't kill our cap.

[Fake GM]

Can you imagine if we had a starting offensive line of Jake Long, Smiley, Jason Brown, Donald Thomas, and Carey... We would literally run teams off the field with that lineup. I think Ronnie Brown is a 1500 yard back in that scenario, even if he only gets 18 carries a game. Getting Jason Brown would be sick...

[some douchebag]

First!!!!!!!!

[souljahbeats]

Fake GM,

Not to mention, with that O-line our Offense would eat up so much time it would make our defense better as well just by keeping them off the field!

[mattyb3347]

another thing, Cameron Wake has not been a proven OLB in the NFL yet. So they might be thinking moving Crowder to OLB and getting an ILB. Crowder was a better OLD than ILB.

[mattyb3347]

another thing, Cameron Wake has not been a proven OLB in the NFL yet. So they might be thinking moving Crowder to OLB and getting an ILB. Crowder was a better OLD than ILB.

[mattyb3347]

another thing, Cameron Wake has not been a proven OLB in the NFL yet. So they might be thinking moving Crowder to OLB and getting an ILB. Crowder was a better OLD than ILB.

[mattyb3347]

OLB

[Tommya]

Hey Mando:

Do u think the Fins are going sign L. Coles?!?

[mattyb3347]

sorry the web page messed up and posted 3 times

[Fake GM]

Souljahbeats,

You are right, Bell is the leading tackler. I stand corrected. Good point about players buying in to Sparano. It's nice to see that b/c you never know how players will respond to a new coach, and thats important. Cam the sham was doomed b/c i dont think players respected him (among other things).

[ocalaphinfan]

If we sign coles, we have the experienced reciever (familiar with chad),and we have our mlb locked up. wow the chips cant fall any better. Now draft the best interior lineman and I am happy.

[souljahbeats]

I don't think they would move crowder to OLB, he calls the plays on Defense from that ILB position and we have more OLB's than ILB's...right now its pretty much just him and Ayodele....

[greg z.]

I AM THRILLED WE SIGNED CHANNING!!! HE WANTED TO STAY A DOLPHIN!!!!! HE PRODUCES! 4 MILLION IS TOO MUCH FOR TORBOR WHO DIDN'T PLAY MUCH. WE CAN DRAFT 2 LB'S.

[BigSteve]

Imo, too much money for Crowder. Torbor hasn't earned his coin either.

As for Coles, he would be a good pick up but he wants his "last" major contract. I suspect he will want stooopid money....after all, he waived $6m that was guaranteed to get released. Do we want to get tied up with a 5'11" receiver or a cheaper 6'3" draft pick. I vote for the cheaper.

[Tommya]

Ocalaphinfan,

Yeah, this thing is shaping up nicely!!! Having Coles in the fold would set the Fins up nice for the draft!!!

[mattyb3347]

But if they are eyeing Bart Scott, ESPN has him between Baltimore, Jets, and the Fins, then the move to OLB would be better. The move would only happen if they had a lock down ILB like Scott. Id like to see Bell resigned next.

[souljahbeats]

I think Bart Scott is over-rated...His reputation has benefited from the Ravens system and playing next to Suggs and Lewis...If he goes to another team, they will overpay...I think re-signing Crowder takes us out of that picture though...I still hope we go for Jason Brown.

[fsudolphins13]

lol im getting pumped just listening to ur enthusiastic comments but i wont be completely satisfied until bell is back
wouldn't it be funny if the phins already signed him and wont release the info until 11:59 ( i know this wont happen... maybe )
this offseason is turning out pretty good

hey Bill! bring back JT

[Fake GM]

Coles can still play, but he is dreaming if he thinks he's getting more than the 6 million the Jets owed him this year. If the Dolphins decide to bring him in, it wont be for anything close to 6 million

[Fake GM]

Coles can still play, but he is dreaming if he thinks he's getting more than the 6 million the Jets owed him this year. If the Dolphins decide to bring him in, it wont be for anything close to 6 million

[Fake GM]

Coles can still play, but he is dreaming if he thinks he's getting more than the 6 million the Jets owed him this year. If the Dolphins decide to bring him in, it wont be for anything close to 6 million

[Willi Chirino]

Good insight, as usual Mando

[souljahbeats]

I don't think its about the money with Coles, he has been unhappy there since they cut Pennington...He was probably the "anonymous player" that was taking shots at Favre, I think he just wanted to jump that sinkning ship

[ocalaphinfan]

With Crowder locked up now we can draft a de/lb a little later and obtain a quality interior lineman earlier. If we obtain Coles (which I am VERY much in favor of that would just make our draft that much easier for Tuna and the Helpers.

[Joe Watts]

Glad they signed Crowder... way too much talent to let him go!!!!
Another great move by the Dolphins..... now all we need is Coles!!...

[MartinK]

With crazy moves like this, maybe we'll be targeting Terrell Owens next! Uh.... not.

[greggoatee]

Very interesting. I still wish the Dolphins would have gotten Bart Scott, but Crowder is the next best thing.

[ocalaphinfan]

The one thing that I remember from my nightmare of a season is that our secondary was horrible. Y. Bell getting hurt killed us. If we can sign him to a FAIR deal then it must be done. When he went out that year, it was over. I dont know what we should do to address that. I do want a interior lineman (center or guard) with our 1st, but our senondary is still suspect.

[Mr.Bungle]

Why every body is happy about signing an average player as crowder or chowder as we call him at our house .can we please start talking about my jets

[fsudolphins13]

things i want to happen
1 re-sign bell
2 sign brown
3 sign coles for no more than 7 mil
4 somehow get a amazing passrusher
5 buff up the secondary

[Joe Watts]

Next in line....Bell before friday.... and then Coles.
Then they can draft WR, DT, DE, CB, OL (guard) in the draft.
Keep 'em coming Phins front office....

By the way is this a breath of fresh air to finally have coaches/front office who make moves and sign the right players??? ......and just wait till free agency hits friday!!!....

[souljahbeats]

I don't think we should sign Coles unless he is really cheap

[jose manuel rod]

MR.fsudolphins 13....please tell us how you came up with 7 mil for COLES.please tell us in details

[fsudolphins13]

i hate u Mr. Bungle

[jose manuel rod]

we should sign coles only for 100 bucks a year and that's cheap as souljahbeats said in his last post as if there's no football teams left to get him.

[Jared]

I was near giddy when I heard that we re-signed Vernon Carey. While the emotion is not quite the same, and maybe it is because I had expected different, I am still very pleased we brought Crowder back. Crowder is not a game changer, there is no denying that. However, as is in the situation with Carey, the alternatives were so bleak that keeping Crowder was the right thing to do. Of course, we would all love to have a playmaker at that position, but right now he isn't available on the free agent market. Crowder is a good player, he never misses tackles, he is 24 years old, and he came cheap without the long term commitment that is usually followed by a high cap number. There are two other key points I want to hit on. If we were to let him go, then we would have to use a draft pick on a inside linebacker prospect, and then face the idea of starting either a rookie or Reggie Torbor. Secondly, letting Channing walk would leave us with Akin Ayodele as our best ILB for for this upcoming season. Ayodele is an above average player, but he is nearing 30, is a liabilty in pass coverage, and just isn't the player Crowder is. What I hope is that the Dolphins brain trust view Crowder long term at one spot, and Ayodele as a short term answer. This way, we can draft a developmental ILB this year and have him sit for a year. Also, instead of reaching for one early in the draft because we have a need, we can hang back and grab one in the middle rounds where teams usually find value at the linebacker spot.

Yeremiah Bell needs to be the next to be locked up. As more players get re-signed leading up until friday, he is only gona become more sought after because of the usual lack of talent on the free agent market. Outside of a Sean Jones from Cleveland, I don't see any safety prospects on the open market. Bell is a fine player who is a game changer, and despite his age being less than ideal for his position, he is still young in playing years and that in theory is all that should count. I hope that Ireland and Parcells are doing every thing they can to bring back Bell.

[ocalaphinfan]

What is the answer to our secondary? Corners are average at best. Both of our safties and our corners (starting) are fa. what to do? I say lock up bell, but cheaply and then i dont know from there.

[jose manuel rod]

we should sign COLES at any coast mr.souljahbeats

[jose manuel rod]

let sign coles at any price .per vavore

[Jared]

Also, because we are bringing back important players, we can all re visit the positions that we all thought needed to be upgraded during the regular season. With every re-signing, it gets more likely we will be able to draft a wideout, or a rush linebacker, or add youth to our secondary. A young nose tackle to develop would be nice too

I would say center, but I am holding out hope that friday morning we will all wake up to the signing of Jason Brown from Baltimore

[ocalaphinfan]

To whom it may concern,
please stop posting under other peoples names. I enjoy reading these blogs and I just dont understand why someone would waste their time posting under a name that is someone else's.

[tim from kansas]

jared ,HOW long it took you to write your post and what was your point?