Sparano is interested to see how the addition of Karlos Dansby and new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s more aggressive defense will impact Crowder’s play.
“Right now I like what’s happening with both of those guys, meaning Channing and Karlos, as far as being able to make plays,” Sparano said after this morning’s practice. “But we’re trying to use some of the strengths of Channing right now, and we’re able to do that a little bit more with a guy like Karlos playing next to him. When you have that have similar strengths, meaning they can both cover, they can both rush and are good blitzers, I think that that point you’re able to free either one of them up on different occasions.”
As he broke it down even more, Sparano explained that Crowder was pigeon-holed into doing a couple of jobs because he was the best option available in previous seasons. Now he will have more freedom to get involved in the pass rush and position himself to be in the right place when the ball comes loose or an errant pass is thrown in his area.
The talent along the defensive line among nose tackle Randy Starks and ends Kendall Langford and rookie Jared Odrick will force defenses to have to choose who not to double team, and the disruptiveness of Nolan’s scheme is what has Crowder and Dansby excited.
“He calls it everybody getting a shot; everybody getting a chance to blitz, everybody getting a chance to cover and everybody getting their shot,” Crowder said. “We’re just a team right now trying to make everybody better. Going against a Mike Nolan defense and the mix-ups he has, hopefully the offense can see what everybody else in the league does and see a mixture of everything so the offense can get prepared, too, so we’ll both make each other better.”
Dansby has been in the NFL one year longer than Crowder and brings with him the reputation of being the ultimate big-play linebacker. In six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals he has racked up 25.5 sacks, 10 interceptions and forced 13 fumbles with nine recoveries. Four of those six years Dansby surpassed 100 tackles, including each of the last three, and in 2008 100 of his 128 tackles were solo.
At the time of his signing back in March, Dansby was the highest paid inside linebacker in NFL history and he has all intentions of performing to that level this season. He proclaimed himself as the best inside linebacker in the league, but he is willing to concede the title of chattiest inside linebacker to Crowder while at the same time talk up his teammate’s ability.
“He’s consistent, very consistent and I can’t wait when those light come on and me and him being consistent like that,” Dansby said. “We have an opportunity to make a lot of plays on defense and just be an anchor right there in the middle for our defense and I can’t wait to free everyone else up. Just his play recognition and the way he can get to the ball, the way he closes to the ball and finishes at the point of contact is impressive.”
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