Odell Thurman, career over?

[red]

now i don't want to name names or anything, but once upon a time a member over at the JSO was pretty upset over the fact that we did not select Odell when we had the chance. and that person refused to let us forget about that mistake.

however, Odell has been suspended for the first 4 weeks of this season, and PFT is saying that he might be suspended for the whole year. there is also a report on their message board that a radio station out of cinci is saying that he has lost a lot of weight (40-50 pounds) due to a crystal meth addiction he has had since college. and is now missing from camp

if this is the case the guys career could pretty much be over, crystal meth is a pretty wicked drug from what i hear.

should be interesting to see how this unfolds, could be a sad story

[Tarlam!]

Anybody ever work as a short order cook;

"Portion of Crow for the Bretsky table: ding ding!"

[Harlan Huckleby]

I don't believe the crystal meth theory. I suppose it's possible, but seems unlikely.

[red]

I don't believe the crystal meth theory. I suppose it's possible, but seems unlikely.

i agree, from what i've seen it would be pretty hard to mask an addiction to the stuff

and other posters on that message board say that he looked to be about the right weight at minicamp a couple of months ago

[Bretsky]

That JS loudmouth was me; you are right. But I'm far far from waving the submission title on this one. Should be interesting to see how things unfold.

[red]

i was going to keep your identity a secret, but kudos for manning up.

reding the boards it looks like the begals might have lucked out with odell, his career might be over, but they just drafted ahmad brooks in the SD, and they are saying he looks like an absolute freak so far at camp.

i really wish we would have gotten him and made him a DE

[woodbuck27]

That JS loudmouth was me; you are right. But I'm far far from waving the submission title on this one. Should be interesting to see how things unfold.

Way to stand up for yourself, B.

[Bretsky]

i was going to keep your identity a secret, but kudos for manning up.

reding the boards it looks like the begals might have lucked out with odell, his career might be over, but they just drafted ahmad brooks in the SD, and they are saying he looks like an absolute freak so far at camp.

i really wish we would have gotten him and made him a DE

When I read the original post I thought it made a ton of sense for them to take Ahmad Brooks, who I also liked.

[woodbuck27]

From: http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=5358

Odell Thurman is back home in Georgia dealing with family matters.

HC Marvin Lewis is clearly exasperated with Thurman, the second-year middle linebacker suspended the first four games because of violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Thurman is eligible to practice and play in the preseason games and Lewis expected him here for the 11 a.m. meeting. When 11 came and went Saturday, so did Lewis’s patience.

"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."

And . . get used to Brian Simmons in the middle.

"We'll have somebody probably play there for the season,” Lewis said. “We're not going to worry about a guy that's not here, or a guy that's not a part of our football team.”

[woodbuck27]

then this from PFT:

POSTED 10:55 p.m. EDT, July 29, 2006

WHERE'S LENDALE?

As the coaching staff is projecting a "no big deal" demeanor regarding the failure of running back LenDale White to report to training camp despite coming to terms more than two days ago, there is plenty of speculation among his teammates as to White's whereabouts.

The prevailing theory is that he's fat and out of shape. There's also speculation (we repeat, speculation) that White has been hanging with Snoop Dogg, and that LenDale consequently needs to let some things work out of his system before being subjected to a visit from the piss man. (Again, that's speculation only.)

Regardless, it's a bizarre situation. And the Titans REALLY aren't in a position to complain about White's absence, since doing so could be viewed as an implicit admission that they were stoopid for interrupting his draft-day free fall.

White was at one time considered to be a first-round prospect, but his inability to run the 40-yard dash prior to the draft and the arguably poor manner in which he handled the situation caused him to fall to the Titans in round two.

Stay tuned.

[The_Dude]

If this is true about Thurman then it makes even more sence why they picked up Brooks. Perhaps they saw that things could really go sour with Odell and wanted to make sure they were covered
'

[HarveyWallbangers]

By a dude with as many character issues as Thurman and Chris Henry? Seems pretty dumb. I think they'll learn their lesson eventually. Those types don't normally win championships--especially a team full of them.

[Partial]

If this is true about Thurman then it makes even more sence why they picked up Brooks. Perhaps they saw that things could really go sour with Odell and wanted to make sure they were covered
'

Cover the meth user with the pothead!!!

[wist43]

I was one of those who wanted Thurman - based solely on his ability as a football player.

I've said many times that when it comes to guys who are "character risks" you have to interview them, look them in the eye, and draw your own conclusions about whether you think the guy has the mental make up to survive the stresses and temptations of NFL life.

We as fans will never get the chance to look these guys in the eye - consequently, we really have no idea if a guy is a lost cause, or just lacking maturity, or if he's just made some poor choices as young people are want to do. Some guys are obvious morons, like Lawrence Phillips and Chris Henry - I don't know that you can lump Thurman in with guys like that.

We'll see. Time will tell. As far as being a football player, Thurman is one hell of a player.

[woodbuck27]

I was one of those who wanted Thurman - based solely on his ability as a football player.

I've said many times that when it comes to guys who are "character risks" you have to interview them, look them in the eye, and draw your own conclusions about whether you think the guy has the mental make up to survive the stresses and temptations of NFL life.

We as fans will never get the chance to look these guys in the eye - consequently, we really have no idea if a guy is a lost cause, or just lacking maturity, or if he's just made some poor choices as young people are want to do. Some guys are obvious morons, like Lawrence Phillips and Chris Henry - I don't know that you can lump Thurman in with guys like that.

We'll see. Time will tell. As far as being a football player, Thurman is one hell of a player.

wist43 my lifelong take on getting quality people for any job or to be solid contributors to any organization.It comes down to determing the truth to simple questions.

1. Do they occupy their free time well in specific hobbies that they are passionate about?

2. How is their personal family life? Mother and Father supportive? What is the candidates actual relationship with his/her extended Family?

3. Who do they hang with? Personal friends?

4. What is their attitude to booze and drugs and have they ever abused themselves with either?

5. Does the candidate have a police record? How long ago since the last violation and what are the specifics?

You can ask. The candidate doesn't have to answer.

6. Does the candidate have decent morals? Is he/she spiritual?

That is just a start and you people can add several more questions to that short list, that helps me tap into what a candidate will have (inside) to give my team.

Being high on life is one thing, being HIGH ( to smother his/her life in addictive /destructive ways) - another.