Reinstated Player And Bengals Part Ways

[theFRANCHISE]

After missing all of the 2006 and 2007 seasons due to violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy, the Cincinnati Bengals waived linebacker Odell Thurman on Monday. "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 coach Marvin Lewis said. "With our offseason work in progress and new talent added at our linebacker position, we've determined it's best to keep moving in a direction that does not include Odell."

Source: ESPN.com

It doesn't surprise me that this happened. Although I'm fine with second chances, it doesn't seem to me that Odell Thurman deserved one with the Bengals. I like the fact that the Bengals are taking a hardline approach to discipline, but the fact that Thurman was a former starter and 2nd-round pick gives me the feeling that someone will take a chance on him soon. I think he has a better chance of catching on with another team than fellow former-Bengal Chris Henry, since he has fewer off-field transgressions and has served more time away from the league.

[neepo13]

LMAO. He was the "savior" of their defense according to Bengals fans. I wonder who's their savoir now. This is a little shocking to me though. He must have failed a physical or something.

[theFRANCHISE]

According to an update by ESPN, Odell Thurman was released because of a dispute with the Bengals over a family matter. Allegedly, Thurman missed organized team activities to be with his grandmother who recently passed away.

So basically, Marvin Lewis and Mike Brown released the kid because he was burying his grandmother. Real classy, guys...

I mean, OK, I understand the kid's had some transgressions, and I fully expected the release to be because of a different type of off-field issue, like failure to report to work for no good reason. But, if it's true that he had family issues to deal with, then perhaps the Bengals should've given him a bit of leeway.

I understand that the Bengals have had a lot of trust in Thurman and invested a lot of time and energy on him throughout his two-year absence from the field, but if they made that much of a commitment only to give up on him because of a family issue, then that's sad.

I still stand by my belief that Thurman didn't deserve a second chance with the Bengals, but not because of this. Although he stayed away from trouble (unlike former teammate Chris Henry) during his suspension, he didn't show enough (public) remorse over what transpired over the past two seasons.

Because of my sympathy for his situation IF that family detail is TRUE, then I'd be willing to let him redeem himself in Cincinnati if I were part of the Bengals organization.

[Guest Birdfan]

I'm sure there are two sides to this story. I just doesn't sound like Marvin to release someone for that. I'm sure there were other "transgressions" involved.

[neepo13]

According to an update by ESPN, Odell Thurman was released because of a dispute with the Bengals over a family matter. Allegedly, Thurman missed organized team activities to be with his grandmother who recently passed away.

So basically, Marvin Lewis and Mike Brown released the kid because he was burying his grandmother. Real classy, guys...

I mean, OK, I understand the kid's had some transgressions, and I fully expected the release to be because of a different type of off-field issue, like failure to report to work for no good reason. But, if it's true that he had family issues to deal with, then perhaps the Bengals should've given him a bit of leeway.

I understand that the Bengals have had a lot of trust in Thurman and invested a lot of time and energy on him throughout his two-year absence from the field, but if they made that much of a commitment only to give up on him because of a family issue, then that's sad.

I still stand by my belief that Thurman didn't deserve a second chance with the Bengals, but not because of this. Although he stayed away from trouble (unlike former teammate Chris Henry) during his suspension, he didn't show enough (public) remorse over what transpired over the past two seasons.

Because of my sympathy for his situation IF that family detail is TRUE, then I'd be willing to let him redeem himself in Cincinnati if I were part of the Bengals organization.

Thats not the way I heard it. Basically, what I've heard is that they gave him time for his grandma's funeral but even after it was all said and done, he didnt report for other reasons that they didnt specify. The Bengals are starting from scracth on defense and they needed him there. I know its pretty harsh to say and my heart is with him while he grieves but the show doesnt stop because someone's family member died. The show must go on, thats the cold reality of it. I think the Bengals are jusitified despite the circumstances. They have waited two years for him to get his stuff together. Had he been doing right before this wouldnt even be an issue.

[Guest Birdfan]

Here's the "official" statement by the Bengals.

In short:

"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," Lewis said in the statement. "With our offseason work in progress and new talent added at our linebacker position, we've determined it's best to keep moving in a direction that does not include Odell."

[theFRANCHISE]

Thats not the way I heard it. Basically, what I've heard is that they gave him time for his grandma's funeral but even after it was all said and done, he didnt report for other reasons that they didnt specify. The Bengals are starting from scracth on defense and they needed him there. I know its pretty harsh to say and my heart is with him while he grieves but the show doesnt stop because someone's family member died. The show must go on, thats the cold reality of it. I think the Bengals are jusitified despite the circumstances. They have waited two years for him to get his stuff together. Had he been doing right before this wouldnt even be an issue.

After reading a couple different reports of what had happened, I see what you mean.

In that case, then yes, I agree that the show must go on. It's not as if there isn't a precedent in the NFL for this sort of thing; Brett Favre played the day after his father passed away because that's the way HE chose to proceed. Troy Williamson took personal time off to attend the funeral of his grandmother and was paid the game check that was initially taken away by the Vikings, because he handled the situation respectfully and was even willing to give up that payday just to be with his family.

I'm not really sure how Odell Thurman REALLY proceeded, but if he didn't do it the way the organization wanted him to, then I guess he obviously has to deal with the ramifications. Then again, being suspended for two seasons before finally being reinstated, he probably wasn't doing things the way the organization wanted him to, to begin with.

[neepo13]

After reading a couple different reports of what had happened, I see what you mean.

In that case, then yes, I agree that the show must go on. It's not as if there isn't a precedent in the NFL for this sort of thing; Brett Favre played the day after his father passed away because that's the way HE chose to proceed. Troy Williamson took personal time off to attend the funeral of his grandmother and was paid the game check that was initially taken away by the Vikings, because he handled the situation respectfully and was even willing to give up that payday just to be with his family.

I'm not really sure how Odell Thurman REALLY proceeded, but if he didn't do it the way the organization wanted him to, then I guess he obviously has to deal with the ramifications. Then again, being suspended for two seasons before finally being reinstated, he probably wasn't doing things the way the organization wanted him to, to begin with.

I agree. I think this was just a series of unfortunate events for him. But again, Its his own fault. If he had gotten his stuff together earlier or never even started, I think the Bengals would have been willing to give him all the time he needed.