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If we took a LB in the first round...


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collegefootballnews.com

Who is Channing Crowder? ... Let's be honest; Florida has been a big dud when it comes to cranking out NFL talent that lives up to the hype. With 53 players drafted since 1995, most have been taken from the offensive side and most have been very disappointing. What hasn't been a problem have been the few linebackers that have recently been picked from Jevon Kearse (yeah, he was a glorified defensive end, but he counts) to Mike Peterson to Andra Davis to Michael Nattiel. If you want value and production, forget about the Florida receivers and go for the linebackers. Go for Channing Crowder.

In all the talk lately of players leaving early for the NFL, Crowder is one of the few sophomores who truly appears ready with the size, speed, body type and pedigree as the son of former NFL defensive tackle, Randy. He's 20 years old having spent a year out of football working as a car washer enrolling late while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in his high school senior year. When it was finally his time to get on the field, he was suspended for the San Jose State opener because of misdemeanor battery charges. When he got a chance to play he tore up Gator opponents as one of the SEC's best linebackers making 106 tackles only playing in 11 of the team's 13 games. 

With several top defensive players gone, it'll be up to Crowder to be the leader and best player of the Gator defense. He's more than up to the task having been the first UF freshman linebacker to ever start nine games. He's also the heart and soul of the run defense. 

"When he's in there, the whole defense, even the secondary, knows we're going to be able to stop the run," said UF defensive coordinator Charlie Strong.

But he's more than just a run stopper; he's the type of all-around defensive presence that makes NFL scouts drool.

"What you don't see is on sacks, the quarterback was looking for (Crowder)," said Gator DB Daryl Dixon. "He was cutting off the passing lanes."

If Crowder sticks around, he could grow into the greatest Florida linebacker ever. However, he might just be proving his talent in the NFL next year.

Crowder? Yes please.

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Hunley said it didnt even look like Crowder had five knee surgeries. Nothing in Shawne Merriman impresses me too much. I watched tape of him, but he looks like someone who is going to be a bust. Crowder is all around excellent. You can't pass on him. Im sick of tired of the "we shouldn't draft him because of his knee problems, or off-field incidents"!!! These are the guys that make impacts in the NFL!! :angry::angry::angry: If we pass on Crowder we our passing on a for sure All-Pro LB.

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well if u want Chrowder..... u better come up with a good plan for us to trade down.

Chrowder could easilybe around with the 26th pick....

I say trade down and get him where he belongs.

I'm really hoping that's exactly what happens. That way we get Crowder :D and some extra picks.

If not, I'd still be happy with Crowder at 17. Thrilled actually.

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I wouldn't take any of these. I would rather wait a few rounds and take Jordan Beck, the best player in the 1-AA

Beck (6-2 3/8, 233) ran his 40s in 4.46 and a 4.45 outdoors on grass with a slight wind at his back. Had a 42-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-9½ long jump, 4.30 short shuttle and 6.92 three-cone drill. He is a rising star who had four interceptions, returning one for a TD against Montana State. Coaches don't know if Beck is a linebacker in the pros or if they should slim him down a bit and make a safety out of him.

This guy is both one of the best athlete and player, but because he wasn't in 1-A, he doesn't get the credit he deserves. Plus he's a Marvin type backer(speed,smart,not very big).

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Sorry, I just can't get into Crowder...I think that taking him in the first would be a big mistake. If we do, I will stand and clap for him like I am going to do with whoever our first-rounder will be, but I think that there are much better options.

If we get to 17 and Crowder is the "best player available", look for us to be trading down. I don't hate Crowder, but I also don't want to go into the 2006 draft thinking the same things about him that I think about Perry. The injuries frighten me.

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well if u want Chrowder..... u better come up with a good plan for us to trade down.

Chrowder could easilybe around with the 26th pick....

I say trade down and get him where he belongs.

If Crowder is targeted by Bengals, this is the route to go.

The Seahawks seem likeliest to draft a DE or CB now that Chike Okeafor signed w/ Zona and Ken Lucas signed w/ Panthers. They look like the ideal trade partner at #23 but I wouldn't expect more than their 3rd pick.

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The more and more I read about Crowder the more I think that he actually will drop down farther than people think. I would still love to have him, i'm just beginning to change my mind about taking him #1. I think alot of teams will pass on him because of his injuries and we might be about to get him with our 2nd rounder.

This draft is making my head hurt. I'm actually glad it's not me making the decisions because I can't make up my mind for more than two days! :blink:

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I am on the Crowder train, the dude wrestles wild boars.  That's what you need from your MLB.

Guess who else used to wrestle wild boars before he was drafted with the Bengals top pick ?

I remember reading about it in the days leading up to the 1997 draft.

Reinard Wilson ...

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this year's draft will be unpredictable...there's no clear cut top pick or even a top 10. i've seen in some mocks that derrick johnson dropped all the way to past the bengals! i think if we move up we could probably take him...who knows come draft day. also on the topic of channing crowder, he seems like a "me" first guy. i'd probably take a pass on the guy unless he changes his attitude. I want a DT, DE, or CB in the first.

that mock was obviously not a very good one haha.

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