The Dolphins have cut linebacker Channing Crowder, I reported on my twitter minutes ago.
Crowder, 27, was in the final year of his contract and was scheduled to make $5 million. Crowder participated in the Dolphins practice this morning and was a starting inside linebacker along with Karlos Dansby.
The Dolphins save all $5 million of Crowder's salary against the salary cap.
The Dolphins have options at inside linebacker. First-year player A.J. Edds practiced Friday for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury last year during training camp. He seemed completely healthy. The club also has veteran Tim Dobbins as a backup.
Crowder will have suitors to be sure. He is talented, young and very good in coverage. But he has never been a big-play better, having only one career interception, three fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles. He also struggled to stay healthy, playing only 11 games last year, and 16 games only twice in six years -- his first two with the team.
I do not know Miami's plan beyond the Crowder dismissal. I don't know if they're planning a monster move and had to clear cap space. I don't know if they were just done nursing Crowder's injury.
One league source is telling me the Dolphins are interested in San Diego free agent middle linebacker Stephen Cooper as a possible replacement. Cooper is 32 years old. Nick Barnett is also out there, but now I'm just speculating.
The best move i've heard all offseason
Posted by: alex | July 29, 2011 at 04:09 PM
Is this a dream.......Quick Hit me!!!!*lmao*
Posted by: superPHIN | July 29, 2011 at 04:09 PM
That can of Clam Chowder soup was expired last year.
Posted by: $0.02 | July 29, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Isnt the point of hte offseason to improve the team and not make it worse.
With the signing of Moore and the release of Crowder we have made our team worse.
The only bright spot, Pouncey. Bush if he can stay on the field.
We are screwed.
Posted by: Smoking crack | July 29, 2011 at 04:12 PM
On a serious note about the last blog, Miami's quarterback situation is in dire straights now.
Posted by: $0.02 | July 29, 2011 at 04:12 PM
Too bad he couldn't play as well as he talked...
Posted by: JIreland | July 29, 2011 at 04:14 PM
In other news the average IQ of the Miami Dolphins locker room just increased by 11 points.
Posted by: Gary Stevens | July 29, 2011 at 04:15 PM
Downside is the 5 MIL that was going to crowder is now going to Moore......in for a penny, out for a loose string i guess!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | July 29, 2011 at 04:15 PM
I wonder how Crowder will blame this on Mel Kipper.
Posted by: Gary Stevens | July 29, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Who's the alternative? We all saw Dobbins flop. Could it be Edds taking over or a FA? If Edds, that's pretty optiomistic for a guy with 0 experience and a recovering ACl tear.
Posted by: Joe Schmoe | July 29, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Now Crowder has lots of time to learn where London is located.
Posted by: Gary Stevens | July 29, 2011 at 04:16 PM
This will be a loss. Crowder's return last year improved the D.
Ireland doesn't know what he is doing.
Posted by: Mike Nolan | July 29, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Yes I do.
Posted by: JIreland | July 29, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Hopefully new york picks him up....we could have our own little spygate scandal down here....just sayin!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | July 29, 2011 at 04:18 PM
I hear that -- much like Anne Frank -- Crowder didn't see this move coming.
Posted by: Gary Stevens | July 29, 2011 at 04:18 PM
clearing cap space to add orton and another piece of the puzzle
Posted by: LP | July 29, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Dude, We are all you guys so hard on players on your own team.
I hate this blog.
Posted by: dolfdan13 | July 29, 2011 at 04:19 PM
I am not excited at all about our prospects to compete for the division title this year.
The Matt Moore decision just blew me out of the water.
Wasn't he injured last year?
Oh yeah - we don't about injuries.
Posted by: $0.02 | July 29, 2011 at 04:19 PM
mando, i am in newark these days, it's great to know that you are still hard at work keepin us all informed. on a day like today, still gotta say, YOU ROCK! thanx for the updates
Posted by: JorgeBanks | July 29, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Channing couldn't remember all of the words to the Dolphins song, so I had to cut him. He told me he knew all of the words to "We are the Boys", but I told him that wouldn't cut it...
Love,
Jeff
Posted by: JIreland | July 29, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Oops
Oh yeah - we don't CARE about injuries.
Posted by: $0.02 | July 29, 2011 at 04:20 PM
GO GET NICK BARNETT !!!!!!
Posted by: phinsfan78 | July 29, 2011 at 04:21 PM
I heard he's moving to England
Posted by: Ken from CT | July 29, 2011 at 04:21 PM
We need to sign Todd Heap and Antwan Odom.
Posted by: Mike Nolan | July 29, 2011 at 04:21 PM
Now Rex Ryan can sign crowder...ooops...never mind.
Posted by: Gary Stevens | July 29, 2011 at 04:21 PM
I signed M Moore to replace him. Yeah, he isn't very good at QB, so we will try him at ILB. Besides, think of all the money we will save! More money for Mr. Ross!
Love,
Jeff
Posted by: JIreland | July 29, 2011 at 04:21 PM
Dansby + Barnett = INT's
Posted by: phinsfan78 | July 29, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Who is the alternative!!! Great questions!!!
I didt like crowder better, but he was miles better than Dobbins!
Are we signing a LB?
Posted by: Poizen | July 29, 2011 at 04:23 PM
Barnett is older, will cost just as much & is coming off a year he finished on injured reserve with a bad knee.
How is he different than Crowder, except for being older?
Posted by: Joe Schmoe | July 29, 2011 at 04:23 PM
Crowder will sign with New England and be their acorn!
Posted by: Mike Nolan | July 29, 2011 at 04:23 PM
sorry, wrist injury
Posted by: Joe Schmoe | July 29, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Trust me, M Moore is going to be a great ILB!
Love,
Jeff
Posted by: JIreland | July 29, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Who?
Posted by: Gian | July 29, 2011 at 04:25 PM
I think you guys are forgetting that there are a lot of teams cutting players and I'm sure Ireland has a replacement in mind. Everyone just needs to chill. There are a lot of moves yet to be made, including Orton who still may be in the mix (If the trade goes through, they can cut Moore or another quarterback) Ireland is just getting more leverage on the Broncos)I'll bet my life that there will be another RB, TE, Guard,and LB signed by next week.
Posted by: Brad from Boston | July 29, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Oh no, how will the Dolphins ever make up for his 1.25 tackles per game!?!
Posted by: Don Don | July 29, 2011 at 04:26 PM
WE SUCK! Will someone please fire me so I can collect my severance package! I really screwed this one up!
Help!
Jeff
Posted by: JIreland | July 29, 2011 at 04:27 PM
PLEASE GO AFTER ZACH MILLER!!! We should have the cap room
Posted by: bbacni101 | July 29, 2011 at 04:27 PM
Who is this Zach Miller guy? I think I will bring back Zach Thomas instead. He is a fan favorite and we can sell some #54 jerseys. You think Marino will come back? I am running out of options...
Love,
Jeff
Posted by: JIreland | July 29, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Cooper seems like the same LB as crowder, but older.
Posted by: corners | July 29, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Dobbins is at best a career backup.
We are extremely thin at LB, and extremely bad at QB
Posted by: Yann | July 29, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Crowder was the glue that held the D together last year.
Ireland is a moron!
Posted by: Mike Nolan | July 29, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Dolphins got a shot to be special!
Posted by: Dave Wannstadt | July 29, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Good. WTF ON MATT MOORE. I mean really
Posted by: wash96 | July 29, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Oh no!!! .....Crowder's gone, whatever will we do to make up for the locker room rants he spits out on daily basis....all talk and no play leaves a huge hole to fill for the dolphins!!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | July 29, 2011 at 04:30 PM
Mando
Seriously man can you give me Irelands # so I can call and have a frank conversation about him on how to actually bring talent on board and to improve the team overall.
I have had 10 straight undefeated season in Franchise mode on Madden.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Smoking crack | July 29, 2011 at 04:30 PM
Way to FAIL FORWARD Fins!
Posted by: Cam Cameron | July 29, 2011 at 04:30 PM
I want to thank Jeff Ireland for stopping by the blog.
Please tell me sir -- what was it about Crowder that impressed you the most'
1) His underwhelming play on the field
2) Or his non-stop string of idiotic statements off the field
Posted by: Gary Stevens | July 29, 2011 at 04:30 PM
Yeah but after a big play, the crowd can yell "COOOOOOOoooooopppper!" I love it! I will see if I can sign him!
Love,
Jeff
Posted by: JIreland | July 29, 2011 at 04:31 PM
We better claim Vince Young off of waivers with this savings!
Posted by: Mike Nolan | July 29, 2011 at 04:31 PM
im sorry mando but did you just say crowder is very good in coverage???? who the hell were you watching? dude couldnt cover a tight end if his life depended on it. that mustve been a typo
Posted by: WHAT? | July 29, 2011 at 04:31 PM
I like that we get to reads sober words of wisdom from a guy named 'Smoking Crack'.
It fits right in on this blog.
Posted by: Gary Stevens | July 29, 2011 at 04:32 PM
Why not pick up Nick Barnett formerly from the Packers?
Posted by: Enrique | July 29, 2011 at 04:32 PM
Sorry buy VY isn't on waivers. I tried, I really did. But he says he would rather be a backup in Philly.
Sorry,
Jeff
Posted by: JIreland | July 29, 2011 at 04:33 PM
You must be joking Joe.
Compare thier stats.
Posted by: phinsfan78 | July 29, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Another Dolphin free agent bites the dust.
Miami Dolphins 2009 Free Agents:
February 20
-Dolphins re-sign OT Vernon Carey to 6 year, $42 million deal.
February 25
-Dolphins re-sign LB Channing Crowder to a 3 year deal.
February 26
-Dolphins sign S Gibril Wilson to a 5 year, $27.5 million deal.
-Dolphins re-sign S Yeremiah Bell to a 4 year, $20 million deal.
February 27
-Dolphins sign G/C Joe Berger to a 3 year deal.
March 3
-Dolphins sign C Jake Grove to a 5, $29.5 million year deal.
March 12
-Dolphins sign CB Eric Green to a multi-year deal.
That’s not even counting the 2008 class of
Justin Smiley
Ernest Wiflord
Gibril Wilson
All but 2 (Carey and Bell) cut.
Only thing worse than our draft picks are our free agent pick ups.
Posted by: Make me the GM | July 29, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Mr. Nolan -- why would we, moments after cutting crowder, sign the one free agent who is even dumber than crowder.
I mean Channing was a clown -- but unlike Vince Young, at least whe was never put on suicide watch.
Posted by: Gary Stevens | July 29, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Lmao at Jeff Irland is that really you???
Posted by: Charlie | July 29, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Lmao at Jeff Irland is that really you???
Posted by: Charlie | July 29, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Lmao at Jeff Irland is that really you???
Posted by: Charlie | July 29, 2011 at 04:34 PM
BARNETT
Posted by: vbats | July 29, 2011 at 04:34 PM