LB Thurman Misses First Workout (1 Viewer)

[mario8723]

LINK

GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- Suspended linebacker Odell Thurman was missing from the Cincinnati Bengals' first training camp practice Saturday.

Coach Marvin Lewis didn't know when Thurman would report for camp, adding, "And I'm not concerned with that."

The Bengals were notified last week that the second-year linebacker will be suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He is eligible to participate in training camp and play in preseason games.

Asked if the Bengals want Thurman in camp, Lewis said, "Yes, we do. But he's dealing with some things with his family, and they'd asked that he be allowed to do this. There's no pressing need of time for him to be here, so we're allowing him to do this."

Thurman also missed the Bengals' minicamp last month, with the team's permission.

Lewis wouldn't talk about his plans for Thurman, at one point saying disdainfully, "If you want to be in charge of him, you're welcome." Lewis will decide how much Thurman practices and if he'll play in the preseason games.

For now, outside linebacker Brian Simmons is practicing in the middle spot. The Bengals also took inside linebacker Ahmad Brooks in the supplemental draft, giving them another option. Brooks was kicked off his team at Virginia.

Thurman's suspension was the latest blow to a team already dealing with the arrests of four players -- receiver Chris Henry, defensive lineman Matthias Askew, and draft picks A.J. Nicholson and Frostee Rucker.

Henry, who hurt his knee during the Bengals' playoff loss to Pittsburgh, was cleared to join practice on Saturday. He was limited during minicamp last month because of the injury.

Henry is scheduled to go on trial on a gun charge in Orlando during camp.

 

[Noahs Troopers]

I'll go out on a limb and say he's in drug rehab. He/his team/family probaly realized he won't quit on his own and needs help.

 

[Jiggyonthehut]

I'll go out on a limb and say he's in drug rehab. He/his team/family probaly realized he won't quit on his own and needs help.

Hope thats the case. Too bright of a future to get derailed so early.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

PFT

THURMAN DONE WITH FOOTBALL?

As a torrent of rumor and innuendo continues to swirl around Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman, we're getting the distinct impression that the kid might never play football again.

At a bare minimum, he's not likely (in our opinion) to play this season.

Thurman already has been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the substance abuse policy, and based on some of the things we've heard we think the penalty could have been more severe. Because the obligation to submit to testing continues, it still could be.

And as further evidence to support our belief that coach Marvin Lewis is reaching (or beyond) the breaking point regarding the actions -- and ensuing scrutiny of -- his in-house butthole patrol, Lewis offered a string of contradictory sound bites on Saturday when asked about the failure of Thurman to report for training camp.

"It's a non-factor. We expect him here. If you want to be in charge of him you're welcome,” Lewis said. “He's dealing with some things with his family and they'd asked if he was allowed to do this. There's no pressing need for him to be here."

 

[BigJim®]

PFT

"It's a non-factor. We expect him here our guys to do what they should. If you want to be in charge of him them you're welcome to do our job for us,” Lewis said. “He's They're dealing with some things with his family what the rest of us call life and they'd asked if he was allowed to do this pretty much using it as an excuse and making the organization look more silly with each passing day. There's no pressing need for him to be here them to change and do what grown men should, however, as I'm unable to think of anything off the top of my head that the Bengals organization won't tolerate."

Fixed.