Dolphins Re-Sign Channing Crowder

The Miami Dolphins prevented another of their key free agents from testing the market by signing linebacker Channing Crowder to a three-year contract extension on Wednesday.The move comes a week after the team re-signed starting offensive tackle Vernon Carey to a six-year deal.

According to Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald, Crowder is "jacked up" about staying in Miami, even though he was searching for a longer contract.

Crowder's agent, Joel Segal, on the signing:

''In talking to Channing, he made it very clear he was not interested in leaving the Dolphins,'' Segal said. ``So now he is going to get his wish and stay with the team he wanted to be with.''

Crowder was a third-round pick (No. 70 overall) for Miami back in 2005, and has been a regular in its defense ever since. He finished second on the team with 113 tackles this past season, after leading Miami in tackles in 2007.

With Crowder and Carey locked up, the remaining key free agent for the Dolphins is hard-hitting safety Yeremiah Bell, who led the team in tackles in 2008 with 120.

While the Dolphins have re-signed their biggest free agents, the team has been rumored to have an interest in Baltimore Ravens center Jason Brown once he hits the open market on Friday.