Thurman allowed to work out with team (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

Enquirer.com

Should bode well for Thurman's reinstatement, which could come before minicamps. Marvin Lewis continues to sound non-committal -- "Thurman will have to regain our trust" etc -- but Thurman, if the rumors that he's been working out on his own and near his playing weight of 245lbs are true, is the best backer on the roster.

Curnutte is still speculating that the team is discussing the 3-4, and I'm starting to believe that there may be something here. With the multiple front experience of Zimmer and new LB coach FitzGerald (from Baltimore), it wouldn't be crazy to see a Geathers/Brooks/Thurman/platoon multiple front scheme next year.

This could get really interesting.

 

[pinda]

Pollock's status too since he said that he's only playing DE, wouldn't he be smallish for a 3-4 DE

 

[Jene Bramel]

Pollock's status too since he said that he's only playing DE, wouldn't he be smallish for a 3-4 DE

Yeah, no way he can play end in a 3-4.However, Hobson has an updated story on Bengals.com that quotes Pollack as saying 3-4 OLB is okay with him. Not sure how much different than 4-3 SLB that is from a "collision" standpoint, but it's out there. The story also suggests that Pollack is in very good shape. Could go from an ugly group to a pretty intriguing group of backers (Geathers, Pollack, Henderson OLB and Thurman, Brooks, Johnson ILB as the core players) that could align in any number of fronts.

 

[pinda]

I think a lot has to do with what they do with Justin Smith too, if they re-sign him, no way they go to a 3-4.

With Thurman coming back and Brooks supposedly being healthy by start of camps and Smith re-signed..... I think it's a no brainer to stay 4-3. Thurman in the middle with Brooks on the weakside would be a solid combination.

 

[ebcpastor2004]

Pollock's status too since he said that he's only playing DE, wouldn't he be smallish for a 3-4 DE

Yeah, no way he can play end in a 3-4.However, Hobson has an updated story on Bengals.com that quotes Pollack as saying 3-4 OLB is okay with him. Not sure how much different than 4-3 SLB that is from a "collision" standpoint, but it's out there. The story also suggests that Pollack is in very good shape. Could go from an ugly group to a pretty intriguing group of backers (Geathers, Pollack, Henderson OLB and Thurman, Brooks, Johnson ILB as the core players) that could align in any number of fronts.

Jene,Do you see Johnson coming back? Isn't he a UFA (or an RFA) this year?

I have him in 32 team Dynasty and was wondering if I ought to try to move him or hold onto him. If he's a 3-4 ILB, is he strong or weak?

He seems to be a very versatile LB, but he did finish about 20 points less than last year. If he stays at Cincy, he's nothing more than the #3 ILB behind Brooks & Thurman right?

Just asking O Wise One.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Do you see Johnson coming back? Isn't he a UFA (or an RFA) this year?I have him in 32 team Dynasty and was wondering if I ought to try to move him or hold onto him. If he's a 3-4 ILB, is he strong or weak? He seems to be a very versatile LB, but he did finish about 20 points less than last year. If he stays at Cincy, he's nothing more than the #3 ILB behind Brooks & Thurman right?

Johnson wasn't tendered very highly as an RFA last year and, at least publicly, didn't appear to generate much interest around the league. I think there's a better than average chance he returns. I think the Bengals would prefer to have him as a backup, but I can see a scenario where he plays ROLB with Brooks and Thurman at LOLB and MLB. He'd be a WILB in a 3-4, but only a backup there as I doubt the Bengals would move in that direction unless they had at least Thurman and Henderson back in playing shape.In any event, I don't see much more than high LB3 value for him in 2008 as a Bengal -- or elsewhere. If you can get similar value in a more stable player or better upside, I'd take it.

 

[msommer]

What happened to Thurman that makes everyone believe he can make an impact again?

When was his last game - more than one full year ago - a season and a half?

To allow him to practice with the team to me just says they are willing to take a look and cut him if they see no value, potentially trade him if someone is interested. His value has got to be pretty low though.

That aside, if he can make an impact either on Bengals or another team he will be a bargain

 

[Jene Bramel]

What happened to Thurman that makes everyone believe he can make an impact again?When was his last game - more than one full year ago - a season and a half?To allow him to practice with the team to me just says they are willing to take a look and cut him if they see no value, potentially trade him if someone is interested. His value has got to be pretty low though. That aside, if he can make an impact either on Bengals or another team he will be a bargain

Nothing happened specifically. But he's still a 25 year old linebacker with a game based on speed and big play power. He's young enough to get back to that level. It helps that the Bengals have had major issues at linebacker, but I agree, the team will have him on the shortest of leashes and he'll have to do a lot of work to correct some of the issues he had as a rookie. He's not yet cleared to practice -- just workout at the team facilities -- but the fact that Marvin Lewis has allowed him in the building suggests that reinstatement is more likely this time.It's the usual deal in the NFL. If you've got talent, you'll get as many extra chances as can be granted you.

 

[John Norton]

I think a lot has to do with what they do with Justin Smith too, if they re-sign him, no way they go to a 3-4.With Thurman coming back and Brooks supposedly being healthy by start of camps and Smith re-signed..... I think it's a no brainer to stay 4-3. Thurman in the middle with Brooks on the weakside would be a solid combination.

Brooks isn't a WLB. I can see him in the middle or very possibly at SLB in a 4-3. I think that with the current personnel situation Johnson is the favorite to play WLB. That said, I agree with Jene that they would preffer to have him as a versatile backup who can be plugged in anywhere. Don't be surprised if they try Thurman on the weakside. He has the physical talent to handle the position. Heck they tried to play Hartwell there last year.Jene and I have had the 3-4 discussion a few times in recent years. I really believe Pollack is the key to that whole decision as I believe he was drafted to eventually play OLB in a 3-4. His injury derailed that plan for a couple of years but I can absolutely see Gathers and Pollack on the outside with Thurman, Brooks and/or Johnson on the inside. If Pollack can't play they might look for a 3-4 OLB in this year's draft. The thing is, that is a very demanding position both phsically and mentally. It's tough for a rookie to step in as a starter right away, which IMO had a lot to do with why Pollack played SLB in a 4-3 as a rookie.

 

[jetmonkey]

Thurman really worked out well for guys who drafted him his rookie season. Unfortunately it only lasted a year. MFL doesn't even list him anymore which really annoys me because I would roster him as a just-in-case at this point. But if I recall he has not really kept his nose clean while serving his suspension, although he's no PacMan. I would expect him to get in trouble again more than I would expect him not to.

 

[pinda]

Thurmann is available in both my IDP leagues, actually he's roster in both and both leagues are on MFL.

 

[dirtyhalos]

Thurman really worked out well for guys who drafted him his rookie season. Unfortunately it only lasted a year. MFL doesn't even list him anymore which really annoys me because I would roster him as a just-in-case at this point. But if I recall he has not really kept his nose clean while serving his suspension, although he's no PacMan. I would expect him to get in trouble again more than I would expect him not to.

interesting...hes listed on all 4 of my idp leagues at mfl, just an fyi...it would annoy me too that hes not listed

 

[Kinger]

Thurman really worked out well for guys who drafted him his rookie season. Unfortunately it only lasted a year. MFL doesn't even list him anymore which really annoys me because I would roster him as a just-in-case at this point. But if I recall he has not really kept his nose clean while serving his suspension, although he's no PacMan. I would expect him to get in trouble again more than I would expect him not to.

interesting...hes listed on all 4 of my idp leagues at mfl, just an fyi...it would annoy me too that hes not listed

There is a setting under [ Commisioner \ Setups \ Appearance \ Other Settings ] that allows or inhibits display of NFL FA's. JetMonkey's league probably has that turned off.

 

[bcr8f]

Thurman really worked out well for guys who drafted him his rookie season. Unfortunately it only lasted a year. MFL doesn't even list him anymore which really annoys me because I would roster him as a just-in-case at this point. But if I recall he has not really kept his nose clean while serving his suspension, although he's no PacMan. I would expect him to get in trouble again more than I would expect him not to.

I just picked him up in MFL.

 

[bcr8f]

Suspended LB Odell Thurman has been in contact daily with Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis.

"I think he is doing well," Lewis says. "He's working extremely hard. He still has some hurdles to cross in terms of his league requirements." It definitely sounds as though the Bengals will take Thurman back if he's reinstated.

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer