Channing

Crowder

Crowder’s defensive coordinator with the Dolphins, Mike Nolan, accepted the same position with the Falcons last month, and sent Crowder a text soon after. Crowder says he’d “love” to play in Atlanta, and admits his August retirement was “not a real rational thing.” It’s worth nothing that incumbent Falcons MLB Curtis Lofton is a free agent. Still only 28, Crowder should be able to mount a successful comeback.

Several teams, including the Patriots, showed interest in Crowder after his release by the Dolphins last July, but he sat out the season to let his body heal. The 28-year-old won’t be re-signing with Miami, though. “I wouldn’t go on a team with (Dolphins GM) Jeff Ireland,” he said. “I’m not very confident in him. He doesn’t know what he’s doing in my opinion. ... He’s not a good person. He has no class and I wouldn’t choose to go back there.”

Crowder is doing some running already, so it’s not fair to throw in the towel on him just yet. He’ll have to prove he’s close to 100 percent at training camp while holding off newly acquired inside ‘backer Tim Dobbins.

He could give Odell Thurman a run as a rookie linebacker sleeper in IDP leagues. Draft him. Junior Seau has been moved to strong-side linebacker, hurting his value.

Crowder was a steal in the third round. Originally thought to be a first-round talent, Crowder’s knee injuries dropped his draft stock. When he’s healthy, he has the potential to be one of the top young linebackers in the league. He is definitely a player to hold onto in deep keeper leagues.

Before getting hurt in Week 4 while playing middle linebacker, Crowder had racked up 27 stops through three games on the season. Now that he’s back healthy, Crowder should catch fire for a defense that’s been run on frequently.

The seventh-round choice was listed as Miami’s top backup to Zach Thomas in the middle. If Thomas gets hurt, Channing Crowder will likely kick inside.

Thomas still hasn’t been cleared to play by doctors, but the Dolphins may push him if Channing Crowder sits. Crowder is limited by an ankle sprain and didn’t practice Friday. He too is shaping up as a game-day decision.

Crowder performed individual drills in Thursday’s practice after missing all of Wednesday’s session. Crowder says he’s sore and that if “I’m not ready to play, and I’ll make the team worse by going out there, I’m not going to.”

“I couldn’t find London on a map if they didn’t have the names of the countries,” he said. “I swear to God. I don’t know what nothing is. I know Italy looks like a boot. I know London Fletcher. We did a football camp together. So I know him. That’s the closest thing I know to London. He’s black, so I’m sure he’s not from London. I’m sure that’s a coincidental name.”