An undrafted rookie out of Illinois a year ago, Crawford made the team and a significant contribution on special teams in 2018. He played just one defensive snap. At the combine in February, Gutekunst took exception to the assertion that the 6-foot, 2-inch, 239-pounder is just a special teamer. “I disagree with you about James because I think James could potentially help us on defense,” Gutekunst said. “I think he has a lot of potential there.”
“I’m kind of interested to see what Crawford can do, too, he had such a good year on special teams,” Gutekunst said. “We were moving him back and forth from inside to outside, I think he’ll probably settle inside. He does have the versatility to play outside, but he has the frame and the skill set to do some of those things, too.”
Last week, new inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti defined Crawford’s role going forward.
“We have settled him in a little bit at the inside linebacker spot,” Olivadotti said. “He's learning the defense through the inside linebacker spot. That's kind of an easy place to do it because you have to be in on the coverage, in on the front and know what's going on pretty much everywhere around you. I think that's an advantage for him.”
“I’m kind of interested to see what Crawford can do, too, he had such a good year on special teams,” Gutekunst said. “We were moving him back and forth from inside to outside, I think he’ll probably settle inside. He does have the versatility to play outside, but he has the frame and the skill set to do some of those things, too.”
Last week, new inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti defined Crawford’s role going forward.
“We have settled him in a little bit at the inside linebacker spot,” Olivadotti said. “He's learning the defense through the inside linebacker spot. That's kind of an easy place to do it because you have to be in on the coverage, in on the front and know what's going on pretty much everywhere around you. I think that's an advantage for him.”
