Odell Thurman Cleared for Workouts (1 Viewer)

[Tarkin]

Odell

Linebacker Odell Thurman's journey from a two-year ban has taken another step closer to a return with Saturday's announcement that he has been cleared by the NFL to work out at Paul Brown Stadium.

Safarrah Lawson, one of Thurman's representatives, said Saturday that his client is complying with the league's substance abuse program in the hope he'll be reinstated in time for the May workouts.

"It's a positive step forward and we're happy he's been allowed to return to his teammates and coaches," Lawson said. "We feel this is a very productive environment for him."

Lawson said Thurman returned to the facility earlier this week with assistant strength coach Ray Oliver, the first time Thurman has been on site since head coach Marvin Lewis banished him after his Sept. 25, 2006 DUI. That violated terms of his original four-game suspension and resulted in a loss of the rest of the '06 season.

Then NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stunned the Bengals and Thurman when he ruled the day training camp started that Thurman was also done for the '07 season.

The NFL has refused to say why and Lawson would only say Saturday that Thurman has not failed a drug or alcohol test in the two years of his suspension.

"He's doing what he has to do to comply with the program," Lawson said.

That means he is apparently meeting all his commitments beyond testing. Lawson said Thurman has split his time between Cincinnati and Monticello, Ga., home of his three children, and has worked out during his hiatus as well as working a construction job. Lawson puts Thurman's weight at 240 pounds, about five pounds heavier than his game weight.

"He's upbeat, he's positive," Lawson said. "He's excited to be back there again. He knows what's at stake."

Thurman, who turns 25 in July, has played only one season for the Bengals. But what a year it was. As the Bengals won the 2005 AFC North title, Thurman led the team with 148 tackles and four forced fumbles and rung up five interceptions to lead NFL rookies while tying the club's rookie record. The Bengals have yet to recover from his absence.

"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," Lewis said in a press release. "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."

Per team policy regarding players on suspension, he is not cleared to do interviews with news media, according to the press release.

I am still baffled that he was suspended for the 2007 season. This would be a huge boost to the Bengals' awful defense.On a side note, there is actually a chance that Pollack's career might not be over. Wow.

 

[QuizGuy66]

As much as I'm gratified that Pollack's condition has improved so much, I still have to say I hope he retires for his own sake. Everytime I see him make or take a hit I'll be like this

With Thurman, it'll be interesting to see how it's handled. Frankly he's a huge talent at a position where we have great need. Those that reactively say we should cut him wouldn't be when he appeared on their team and did what he did as a rookie for us. I get the feeling the Bengals will have a harder no nonsense type edge based on the defensive hires they made - how they evaluate Odell will be interesting though you'd have to think 2 years off would be wake-up call enough.

All the above said, a round 2 LB would be a good thing IMO.

-QG

 

[WampusCat43]

One thing in the Pollack piece mentioned him converting to a DE to avoid the high-speed collisions a LB takes. Good luck either way - he seems like a class act.

 

[Donnybrook]

I am still baffled that he was suspended for the 2007 season. This would be a huge boost to the Bengals' awful defense.

On a side note, there is actually a chance that Pollack's career might not be over. Wow.

I guess the difference between being suspended indefinitely and being a pro bowler is getting caught. Lance Briggs Charged In Lamborghini Crash

 

[NorrisB]

Free Odell!

 

[Verbal Kint]

One thing in the Pollack piece mentioned him converting to a DE to avoid the high-speed collisions a LB takes. Good luck either way - he seems like a class act.

Read this too. IMO, you can't go into the game with this kind of mindset. If he's worried about the kind of hits he'll take, he should just retire. Best of luck to him though. He's a great guy that got a raw deal.

 

[Bri]

One thing in the Pollack piece mentioned him converting to a DE to avoid the high-speed collisions a LB takes. Good luck either way - he seems like a class act.

Read this too. IMO, you can't go into the game with this kind of mindset. If he's worried about the kind of hits he'll take, he should just retire. Best of luck to him though. He's a great guy that got a raw deal.

I was amazed at what good shape he stays in. Nice to hear he's working with college hopefuls. Neat to hear he talks with Marvin everyday.Glad to hear him say if there's a chance he could break his neck that he won't play. Sounds like he's being smart about his injury. Good luck at doc appt.I wish him all the luck.Maybe if not he can be a trainer or coach or something. Seems like the kinda guy a team would want to have around.IF IF IF IF Odell, David return I wonder how much the Bengals really need to add on D. Remember they have a busload of people returning from injury too. Amazing that what I felt like was one of the worst Ds in 07, could be so very much improved without actually adding a pick or a FA.

 

[Jene Bramel]

IF IF IF IF Odell, David return I wonder how much the Bengals really need to add on D. Remember they have a busload of people returning from injury too. Amazing that what I felt like was one of the worst Ds in 07, could be so very much improved without actually adding a pick or a FA.

The defensive line is the issue. Very little pass rush. Justin Smith is an underrated run defender, but a lot of his value comes in backside pursuit. Robert Geathers has been jerked from position to position so much that he has yet to grow into any role -- RDE, LDE, DT, SLB. The DT play is improving -- Thornton had his best year as a Bengal and Peko is a solid player -- but the overall rotation is below average.And I'm not trying to be a pessimist, but while a LB group of Thurman, Brooks, Pollack, Johnson, Jeanty/Henderson and Jones/Marshall looks good, none of them are a lock to play to their scouting report/prior level. If they can, and if the young secondary continues to improve, there's plenty of potential there. That's been said since Marvin got here, however. Geathers, Peko, Rucker, Fanene, Askew, Thurman, Pollack, Johnson, Miller, Nicholson, Williams, Joseph, Hall, Brooks, Ndukwe, White, Weathersby, Ratliff and on and on. I'm trying to keep the faith, but it's pretty difficult. Sure would like to see these five things come to pass, though.1/ Brooks and Thurman healthy and playing within themselves.2/ Geathers at RDE all year long and playing consistently.3/ Acquisition of another run stopping DT.4/ Continued improvement of the young secondary.5/ Influx of real potential through the draft -- more Ndukwes and Pekos, less Nicholsons and Ruckers.****The Bengals are going to get at least one solid compensatory draft pick for Eric Steinbach and may get another one or two for Shaun Smith and Brian Simmons. It'd be nice to see them make them work.If all that happens, this defense will be at least an average group. That'll be better than anything the Bengals have done in years.

 

[FTRWRTR]

As a UGA fan I'm biased but david pollack is incredibly intense and all heart so if anyone can make moving from lb to de work he can, that said he's small for a d - lineman

With a healthy thurman (another bulldog) and pollack that bengals' defense will be much improved

 

[Men-in-Cleats]

I am still baffled that he was suspended for the 2007 season. This would be a huge boost to the Bengals' awful defense.

On a side note, there is actually a chance that Pollack's career might not be over. Wow.

I guess the difference between being suspended indefinitely and being a pro bowler is getting caught. Lance Briggs Charged In Lamborghini Crash

Thurman was already under suspension when he got into trouble again. Briggs had a clean record.

 

[MechEng]

Inside info on the Bengals message board says that Odell was reinstated.

new link

 

[T Man]

Pollack's stellar play was based upon hustle and intensity. He played all out every down.

One has to think that the concern regarding his future health, that he cannot play the same way that he has in the past. And, if he can't, i do not see him being as productive of a player.

As for Thurman, this is like an extra first rounder for the Bengals. When on the field he is very good. It's just the off field stuff.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Pollack to retire.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3358828

 

[sholditch]

He should go into broadcasting. Start off on College Gameday maybe as a color guy. He's smart enough.

 

[yinzer]

As a Steeler fan its nice to know one of the Bungals recent first rounders wont be playing for them again, but its sad this guy has to retire already. Did he even play more then a few games in the NFL? I cant remember if he was an 06 or 05 pick, I know he got hurt first game of 06

 

[bcr8f]

Grab Cedrick Ellis if he's there(probably won't be).

 

[Tarkin]

As a Steeler fan its nice to know one of the Bungals recent first rounders wont be playing for them again, but its sad this guy has to retire already. Did he even play more then a few games in the NFL? I cant remember if he was an 06 or 05 pick, I know he got hurt first game of 06

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