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View Full Version : Channing Crowder, MLB from Florida



E-Dog Night
March-9th-2005, 01:33 PM
Before I start: Even if Williams or Edwards is still available at #9 (doubtful), I don't think we take him. We're set a WR, like it or not. Teams generally keep 5 WRs, and we have our 5: Moss, Patten, Jacobs, McCants, Thrash. I don't think we're going to cut McCants, but even if we do, I still say that his replacement will be found elsewhere than in the 1st round.

And we won't take Rolle or Pac Man either. Williams seems to be confident with the CBs at hand (guessing) and I don't see another position or player that's worthy of the #9 pick.

So the only logical thing left to do is trade down, and I really think that will happen. Of course, that all depends on whether some team offers us the right deal. If everyone tried to low ball us then maybe we just take the best player available.

So let's say this happens. What do you guys think about Channing Crowder? He definitely got mad skills, but he's got some baggage too. He's got a misdemeanor battery charge on his record and has had a few problems with his knee. But the guy is a beast, and with Pierce gone & Barrow's health questionable, I think we need to take a long hard look at this guy if we trade down. If we get a second round pick from either trading down or trading Gardner and Crowder drops, I think it's a no-brainer that we take him.

If your curious:

Grade: 90
Alerts: (C: CHARACTER) Problems on and off the field
(D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy

Comments: Strengths: Is an athletic, aggressive, powerful ILB prospect. Is fluid and quick. Shows good closing burst and overall speed. Fills hard and shows very good initial power at the POA. Has a strong upper body and good explosiveness with his hips. Will make some big hits and will generate big plays because of his closing speed and pop at the POA. Is a sideline-to-sideline run defender that can become even better in that facet if his recognition skills improve. His motor is outstanding and you?ll never see him take a play off on film. He shows good upfield burst as a pass rusher but must improve instincts and pass rush moves in order to fully maximize his potential in that facet. Is above average in man-coverage and is athletic enough to cover a majority of NFL backs out of the backfield. Has a lot of potential in zone coverage if he doesn?t take as many false steps and learns to read his keys with more discipline.

Weaknesses: Still a work in progress. Plays with a great motor but will be overzealous at times. Takes too many false steps and will take some poor angles. Must be more disciplined with recognition skills. Tends to get out of position too often. Will miss some open field tackles because he's reaching after taking poor pursuit angles. Also needs to learn to break down more consistently as an open field tackler. Has some trouble when it comes to taking on and shedding blockers in the phone booth. Lacks ideal base and lower body strength. Plays too high at times when filling gaps and will lose power at the POA. Needs to learn to use his hands better and to take on blocks with better technique rather than getting out of position by running around them. Has had trouble staying healthy -- Knee injury in high school and arch injury that cost him playing time in 2004. Also has had problems staying out of trouble off of the field -- served one-game suspensions in season openers of the 2003 and 2004 seasons due to separate altercations outside of a Gainesville night club.

Bottom line: Crowder is only a sophomore but he is eligible for the 2005 draft because he took a year off after graduating from high school to rehabilitate a knee injury. Crowder completed his career with 179 tackles, 13.5 of which were for a loss. He also had two sacks, recovered three fumbles, forced two fumbles and had one interception. In 2004, Crowder played in nine games and finished third on the squad in tackles with 73 as he led UF in the department six times. In 2003, he led the nation in tackles by a freshman with 106. Crowder would have been better served returning to Florida for the 2005 season because he could have used the extra year to improve his bulk, lower-body strength, recognition skills and flexibility. A full season of keeping his nose clean off the field and staying healthy enough to play every game also would have helped to erase questions concerning his character and durability. However, despite those red flags, Crowder is still a gifted athlete with the frame to get bigger, the powerful strike as a tackler and the athleticism to become an impact starter as an every-down inside linebacker in the NFL. There are certain to be NFL teams willing to gamble on that upside late in the first round of the upcoming draft.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft05/tracker/player?id=9045

http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2004/Players/Florida_ChanningCrowder.htm

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/playerprofiles/ilb/channingcrowder.html

SkinsandCanes
March-9th-2005, 01:41 PM
Huge trouble maker. Wouldn't touch him with a 10 foot pole.

GangstaSkinz
March-9th-2005, 01:42 PM
We seem to be fairly well off at MLB despite Pierce leaving. We have Barrow coming back, Smith and Marshall waiting for their shot to start. I don't see us taking a MLB that high in the draft. I think they'll focus on WR and line depth.

Could'a, Would'a, Should'a
March-9th-2005, 01:43 PM
got the potential to be a star, ive only watched 3-4 florida games over the last 2 years but hes the player thats always stood out to me

skinzfan4life
March-9th-2005, 01:44 PM
I agree with gangsta....you are more then likely getting WR, DE, or CB in the first and then following rounds. MLB, is way down on the needs list.

E-Dog Night
March-9th-2005, 01:58 PM
I agree with gangsta....you are more then likely getting WR, DE, or CB in the first and then following rounds. MLB, is way down on the needs list.

Agreed - I was saying that if he drops to rounnd 2, and we have a pick there, we take him.

But I admit he doesn't seem like the highest character guy.

triple6mafia
March-9th-2005, 03:46 PM
love the guy....he's a big game player, young and can make big plays. he stripped the ball against fsu on the goal line, but the gators got screwed and did not get the call. he knows how to play. this is probably biased cause i like the gators

Phat Hog
March-9th-2005, 03:51 PM
Surely you aren't taking about taking him at #9 are you?