Odell Thurman "allowed" to workout with Bengals

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 26, 2008 5:03 PM EST in Legal/Off Field Issues

A press release went out announcing that Odell Thurman was given permission by the league allowing him to "train and work out at the Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium facilities" while awaiting his actual reinstatement.

"Odell remains on the league’s suspended list, and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to meet the conditions for reinstatement," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. "If he is reinstated, he will then have to earn the confidence of our management and coaching staff that he is ready to compete for a roster spot as an active member of our team. In the meantime, he is allowed to work out with our strength and conditioning and our training staffs."

"We see it as a positive," agent Safarrah Lawson said Saturday in a phone interview. "It's an opportunity to get reacclimated with the team, to work with the strength and conditioning staff in preparation, hopefully, for minicamp and training camp."
[AP via USA Today]

If punishments truly fit the crime, then Odell Thurman is a case of being black-balled in an effort by the Chancellor to crack down on the league's conduct problems. He was suspended four games for missing a drug test, then suspended for the remainder of 2006 and all of 2007 after being charged with a DUI. We all understand and accepted 2006. But denying reinstatement for the linebacker in 2007 shocked a lot of us. Think he'll return in 2008? Think he'll be effective?

Thurman cleared for workouts [Bengals.com]

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Thank Gawd

Fantastic news; plenty of time to get back in football shape. With Brooks and Odell the Linebackers look respectable for 2008. Lewis might be playing coy now, but you know he's flipping somersaults in private.

by mskiles314 on Jan 26, 2008 9:24 PM EST reply actions

How will the media portray this?

I am psyched - Odell is an impact player and he'll contribute a lot, assuming he really has turned his life around.

I am sure, however, that ESPN and Sports Illustrated will continue to criticize the Bengals for fostering an organization of criminals, a perception that should be done with after the incident-free last season. Peter King already raked the Bengals over the coals for giving Chris Henry a second chance (though he's mum on Najeh "the Wife Beater" Davenport and Koren Robinson). What about the Titans - with Pacman Jones - much more of thug than Henry ever was - and Haynesworth, a man who actually assaulted somebody on the field? Or the Chargers, with TWO admitted steroid users on their team? I don't object to players getting a second chance; I object to the uneven criticism of the Bengals in light of other less-than-stellar franchises in the league.

"Ryan, Things in here don't react too well to bullets." - Marko Ramius

by TarZander on Jan 27, 2008 1:59 PM EST reply actions

RE:

I know it's not scientific and I too get annoyed by their "holier than thou" or the enforcement of story fabrications, but PFT's turd watch has eight teams with more conduct issues than our own.

We were the poster boys in 2006. Sadly, that still hasn't changed.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 27, 2008 3:30 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, we can't even win Turdwatch

How the mighty have fallen, eh? LOL

Look, the real question is simple: it looks like Odell will be let back in, but does he fit in a 3-4? : )

by BeerRun on Jan 28, 2008 6:53 PM EST reply actions

Again?

This sounds way too familiar. Pinning the hopes of our defense on the returns of Odell Thurman, David Pollack and Ahmad Brooks. It's a dangerous path. And I do realize, those three potentially could be difference makers. All that I am saying is we said the same thing going into the 2007 season.

by mp45242 on Jan 30, 2008 6:09 PM EST reply actions

No doubt.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 31, 2008 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

I'll get you yet my pretty!

Sorry Josh, but I have to pass on a note from a certain flaming toupee we know...

>>ESPN's Len Pastabelly is he latest to claim that Marvin Lewis has already made the decision to switch to a base 3-4 defense and is pouring over film of free agents who might fit. <<

Odell, O-schmell! WHERE DOES HE FIT IN THE 3-4???? Inquiring minds want to know!!! :)

by BeerRun on Feb 2, 2008 12:04 AM EST reply actions