The Bengals welcomed Odell Thurman back from suspension. But they never depended upon him. There is a difference, and it was underscored today when the Bengals cut the one-time standout linebacker. Thurmans release apparently stems from his infrequent participation in the teams offseason program. Per The Cincinnati Enquirer, Thurman missed three voluntary workouts. According to profootballtalk.com, the issue apparently came to a head last week, when Thurman was in Monticello, Ga., for his grandmothers funeral. One of his agents, Safarrah Lawson, told the Bengals Web site today that Thurman was still in Monticello. The NFL provided Odell the opportunity to earn his way back onto our team, but we have not seen the right steps taken by him, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said Monday. With our offseason work in progress and new talent added at our linebacker position, weve determined its best to keep moving in a direction that does not include Odell. More: ProFootballTalk.com
After two years suspension and then the attitude to not turn up to OTAs you'd think so. I can't see him being any more than a backup anywhere else for the rest of his career (however long that be).
He played under our DC in college, and also went to UGA. I could see him suiting up for the Falcons, stranger things have happened.
If he's going to come back, he's got a lot of work in front of him. I'm sure he'll never be the player he never was. He hasn't played a down in two years and now he's missing workouts? Doesn't sound like the commitment it there.
In his defense, his grandmother, who raised him had died. Voluntary workouts come second when you are making funeral arrangements for the closest woman you had to a mother. I don't see this particular instance as being that severe. The drug suspension obviously is something any team that signs him should be aware of.
yup ^^^ this dudes parent dies when he was young and his grandmother raised him. hmmm pretty darn good reason for missing "voluntary" work outs
Maybe the Saints pick him up with Morgan retiring. The Niners have been looking for a veteran LB, too. I think he'll find a job for this year.
