Former Dolphins defensive lineman Randy Crowder dies. And notes on 12 personnel issues
Randy Crowder, a former All-American at Penn State who became a disruptive pass rusher with the Dolphins, died recently at 72, the team announced Wednesday. The cause of death was not disclosed.
The Dolphins selected Crowder in the sixth round of the 1974 Draft and he played three seasons for the team. He played in 39 games and started 25 for the Dolphins, producing 12.5 sacks.
Crowder missed the 1977 season after he and another former Dolphins player, Don Reese, were sentenced, in August, to one year in jail after their May 4 arrest for selling one pound of cocaine to an undercover policeman. They pleaded no contest, and Circuit Judge Joseph Durant withheld adjudication as part of a plea-bargain agreement. The arrest came at the end of an eight-day investigation; 15 officers from the Miami Police Department special investigations unit arrested the two at a Miami area motel.
Crowder went on to play 32 games over three seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After retiring, he was the defensive line coach at Penn State, where he was a first team All American in 1973.
Crowder had three children, including Channing Crowder, a former Dolphins linebacker and now a talk show host on WQAM 560.
Personnel notes
A dozen notes from a session from Dolphins assistant coaches on Wednesday:
▪ Secondary coach Brian Duker said Ifeatu Melifonwu, Ashtyn Davis, Elijah Campbell and Patrick McMorris are competing to start at safety to replace Jevon Holland (now with the Giants) and Jordan Poyer (who’s unsigned).
“Pat is right there; been very encouraged what he’s done so far,” Duker said. “We’ve been clear to them that we are going to let the best two play.”
▪ Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said the Dolphins’ group of young cornerbacks “all have a chip and want to prove themselves. There’s no greater motivator than that.”
The Dolphins continue to explore signing veteran cornerbacks to replace Jalen Ramsey (who’s expected to be traded) and Kendall Fuller. Discussions are ongoing with veteran free agent Rasul Douglas.
▪ Linebackers coach Joe Barry said the Dolphins made out fine in replacing Anthony Walker Jr. and Duke Riley — whom he held in high regard — with Willie Gay and K.J. Britt.
“We replaced them with two really good players with K.J. and Willie. I don’t think we took a step back at all. Willie started in the Super Bowl. K.J. Britt started two thirds of the season in Tampa Bay.”
▪ Barry said of fourth-year linebacker Channing Tindall: “This is the first time in his career that he’s gone into an offseason with the same terminology, same language. It was a little bit of a challenge to him. I wanted to make him feel good [and told him]: ‘What a great opportunity. You’re not having to learn a new playbook for the first time in your career. If there’s ever a time for you to take off, it’s now.’”
▪ Cornerbacks coach Mathieu Araujo said third-year cornerback Cam Smith has “been awesome, here every day, working hard. Biggest thing I talked to him about this offseason is development. His development is going to lead to his success on the field. He’s learning, playing fast.”
▪ New passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik said he has observed that Tua Tagovailoa is “demanding of himself but also demanding of others. He’s holding people accountable; he’s holding himself accountable. He’s incredibly accurate, unbelievable throwing with anticipation, throwing to space, throws you may have thought were not possible. He has a knack for seeing things that a lot of people don’t see in real time.”
▪ Offensive coordinator Frank Smith said new receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who caught nine touchdowns for Tennessee last season, is “very detailed, a process-oriented guy, is going to be extremely reliable.”
▪ Outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow, asked if the Dolphins plan to use Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson together at times, said “That’s a fun problem to have. We will figure it out.”
▪ Crow said second-year outside linebacker Mo Kamara has mad “a huge jump from Year 1 to Year 2. He’s coming back with a vengeance. Special teams will be important to him also.”
▪ Quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell told the Palm Beach Post of new backup QB Zach Wilson: “In every way, I’ve been really pleasantly pleased and pleasantly surprised by how good he’s been… He’s got a gifted arm, so he’s special with that.”
▪ New special teams coach Craig Auckerman, asked about his role in Miami signing his former Tennessee Titans punter, Ryan Stonehouse, said: “There’s always going to be dialogue. But they handle the roster. I give my opinion on certain things. And I let them handle the roster.”
Stonehouse and Jake Bailey are competing for the punting job.
▪ Auckerman said new long snapper Joe Cardona, who replaced Blake Ferguson, is very good at his job. After Miami signed him, “I sprinted down to Chris [Grier’s] office and said this guy has done it for 10 years at a very high level.”
This story was originally published May 21, 2025 at 5:58 PM.
