Language came first. The "rules" came later, and were made up by self-appointed grammarians. Language is as alive and changing as fashion and technology.
We should correct grammar for clarity, not against arbitrary rules. There is no lack of clarity in the article. Whether or not "crew" had ever been used as a verb before, it's meaning was completely clear.
Yea, you are absolutely right. Especially in English - a bastard language of German (30% words, 60% of spoken language), Latin and French plus a little Gaelic. These "grammarians" even fight over things like does it have to be Latin rule: "Steve and I
was going to the Apple Store." or German rule: "Steve and I
were going to the Apple Store." It is so non-sense. Latin wants the verb conjugated after the last substantive (i.e. I, so singular conjugation), German uses the construct (i.e. Steve and I is/are plural, so you conjugate plural). Reality of things is: In the US and A, no one really cares. There is not even an official language. British English is "King's / Queen's English" (depending on who rules) and therefore, if there is a dispute, listen carefully how the current majesty pronounces it and what grammar is used and you have to go by that!
Oh my, don't blame me for getting into detail - I had my Capstone English Linguistics class for a degree in languages... so please, forgive me!
