Odell Thurman-Legal Troubles?

[scarletngrey11]

Originally Posted by tibor75

Odell's been suspended for 4 games. I guess that Brooks signing makes sense now.

You mean replacing a pothead with another pothead?

[tibor75]

Originally Posted by scarletngrey11

You mean replacing a pothead with another pothead?

you have a better idea?

[OH10]

AFC North players with troubles :

Cleveland: check - Reuban Droughns, Kellen Winslow

Cincinnati: check - Chris Henry, Odell Thurman

Pittsburgh: check - Ben Toothlessberger, Santonio Holmes

Baltimore: check - Jamaal Lewis, Ray Lewis, Samari Rolle, BJ Sams

I'm sure I'm forgetting some deserving fellows.

[tlinc]

Well, the news finally became public. It was conceivable that he could have gotten the full year, but the bengals were able to get 4 (missed 2 tests but they were close together so they treated it as a single).

I think they tried to keep it quiet as long as possible due to their interest in Ahmad.

They were able to get their guy and hopefully Odell straightens out. Potentially a great group of young LBs for the switch to the 3-4 that will happen no later than next year.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

7/14/06

Report: Bengals' Thurman to be suspended

Web site says linebacker will miss four games for violating substance-abuse policy.

By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer

CINCINNATI | The Cincinnati Bengals refused comment Thursday on an Internet report that stated middle linebacker Odell Thurman will be suspended the first four games of the 2006 season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

The Cincinnati.com Web site reported "a source close to the situation" said Thurman would be suspended.

"I have no news to report on Odell Thurman," NFL spokesman Steve Alic said Thursday night.

"We don't comment on unsourced reports," Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan added.

Thurman, a second-round draft pick from the University of Georgia in 2005, made an immediate impact as a rookie, generating a team-high 148 tackles along with five interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Thurman was the only absentee at the club's mandatory full-squad minicamp June 15-17, missing all three days.

"He's excused for personal reasons," head coach Marvin Lewis said.

The Bengals made headlines Thursday when they selected former University of Virginia middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks in the NFL Supplemental Draft.

By selecting Brooks with the 22nd pick in the third round, the Bengals gave up their third-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.

The Bengals also terminated the contract of eight-year veteran center/guard Larry Moore, releasing him to free agency.

Moore missed the final 12 games of the 2005 season because of a right knee dislocation suffered against Houston on Oct. 2.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/4/06

It’s amazing how fast a pro football player can go from an integral part of the defense to afterthought. Hard as it is to believe, that pretty much sums up the situation with suspended Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman.

Because of a lack of depth and first-round draft pick David Pollack’s holdout, Cincinnati desperately needed Thurman to be the man last year.

But Pollack is up to speed now, draft picks Ahmad Brooks and A.J. Nickolson have been showing a lot of promise, and the Bengals still have veterans Brian Simmons and Landon Simmons, so it has been easy for coach Marvin Lewis to put Thurman out of mind and move on.
When Thurman returns from his four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, he may eventually reclaim his starting spot. But at the moment, that seems like the farthest thing from Lewis’ mind.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

Thurman on his suspension: 'I made a mistake'

Bengals linebacker says missed tests, not failed ones or a drug problem, led to his four-game ban.


By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer


Friday, September 01, 2006


CINCINNATI — Bengals middle linebacker Odell Thurman broke his silence this week, telling ESPN The Magazine he's not a drug addict and he takes "full responsibility" for the mistakes that led to a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
Thurman said that skipping drug tests while out of town this summer, as well as missing appointments with his NFL-mandated counselor, are what caused the violation.
The NFL considers a missed test or missed counseling session the same as a positive result on a drug test. Thurman's next violation will result in a yearlong suspension.
"I got one foot over the edge," he told the magazine. "I got one whole leg over the edge. A one-year (suspension) for me, if I were to make that mistake, it would be like committing suicide.
"I just want people to know I wasn't out there using all types of drugs. Basically, it was me missing a test. It was my first NFL offseason and I was out doing too much during the summertime, being irresponsible and not taking it real serious. I made a mistake. And I'm living with that mistake. And now I'm refocusing."
Thurman was allowed to participate in all preseason activities. But starting Monday, he's not allowed to practice or be with the team on game days. Thurman loses out on four game checks totaling $78,529. He's eligible to return Oct. 2.
"The biggest problem was around camp when the news came out," he said, "I was embarrassed and scared and I separated myself from everyone.
"Coach (Marvin Lewis) called me like five or six times, but I was in denial. I didn't want to face it. I used to be the happiest guy in the building coming into work. I was worried how everyone would treat me. But my teammates welcomed me back with open arms. Coach is like a father to me."
Thurman said his goal is to go "from nothing to the Hall of Fame. That's the story I want. A success story. I don't want to end up no sad story."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@daytondailynews.com.