Professional Career
Crowder was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round (70th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft. The pick used to select him was previously acquired from the Chicago Bears in the Marty Booker-Adewale Ogunleye trade from the year before. Then-head coach Nick Saban was familiar with Crowder, having coached in the SEC at LSU before coming to Miami.
Crowder signed a four-year contract with the team in July and went on to start 13 of the 16 games in which he played during his rookie season. He opened 11 games at the weakside spot and two in the middle. The Dolphins opened with either five or six defensive backs in the only three games he did not start. Along with running back Ronnie Brown and cornerback Travis Daniels, 2005 marked the first time since 1996 that three or more Dolphin rookies opened at least ten games. Crowder ranked second on the team with 90 tackles, the highest total by a Dolphins rookie since Zach Thomas tallied 164 in 1996. It also was the fifth-highest total among NFL rookies in 2005. Crowder added two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and four passes defensed on the year. He replaced an injured Zach Thomas (shoulder/ankle) at middle linebacker for games during the season. During the year, he posted a season-high 10 tackles on two occasions. Crowder collected seven tackles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 16 and also recovered an Earnest Graham fumble that led to a Ronnie Brown eight-yard TD run on the next play from scrimmage. Crowder prevented a potential touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons when he forced the ball loose from fullback Justin Griffith with the Falcons at the Dolphins' 8 yard-line, and was recovered by Travis Daniels. Crowder also recovered a J.P. Losman fumble against the Buffalo Bills on December 4.
Crowder was once again a reliable starter in 2006 and continued to progress as a player. He finished second on the Dolphins with 104 tackles (behind only Zach Thomas) and had one sack for nine yards in losses that season. It was Crowder's first 100-tackle season of his career. He had four games of double-figure tackles, and tied or led the team in tackles three times and finished second on the team in tackles six times during the season. He started all 16 games during the regular season, though he suffered a hip injury on November 19 against the Minnesota Vikings that forced him from that contest permanently. In week 12 of the 2008 season against the New England Patriots, he was ejected from the game after engaging in a fight with Patriots offensive tackle Matt Light.
An unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason, Crowder was re-signed to a three-year contract by the Dolphins on February 25, 2009. On December 6, 2009, In a matchup against the New England Patriots, Crowder made his first career interception and also sealed the win off for Miami. Crowder was placed on injured reserve on December 30. He suffered a right foot injury which made him miss a game versus the Houston Texans.
On July 29, 2011, the Dolphins released Crowder and then signed LB Kevin Burnett from the Chargers. Just over a week later on August 9, 2011, Crowder abruptly announced his retirement from the NFL.
On February 1, 2012 Crowder appeared on the Super Bowl’s Radio Row and Announce his intention to restart his pro career.
Read more about this topic: Channing Crowder
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