Ex-Dog Thurman to be suspended

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/14/06

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman, a finalist for the 2005 rookie of the year and a former University of Georgia standout, will be suspended for the first four games of the NFL regular season, pending appeal, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed.

The person told the Journal-Constitution, and it was also reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer and ESPN.com, that Thurman violated the league's substance abuse policy.

Thurman, who is from Monticello, is working out in Atlanta but declined comment, canceling a scheduled interview with the Journal-Constitution on Thursday afternoon. Messages to the NFL and Bengals' offices were not answered.

The suspension signals that Thurman has violated the league's substance abuse policy for a second time, although it does not necessarily mean he failed a drug test. Missing a scheduled test or not producing a sample within a declared time frame constitutes a positive result, according to the NFL's drug policy.

This latest development extends a history of off-field problems for Thurman that date to his freshman year at Georgia, when he was dismissed for an accumulation of transgressions. Thurman transferred to Georgia Military College for a season and was readmitted to Georgia, where he developed into one of the SEC's top linebackers as a redshirt sophomore.

He was suspended for the first three games of his junior season – his last – for undisclosed violations.

Though the 6-foot, 235-pound playmaker was regarded as a first-round talent, he was not selected until the second round (48th overall), in large part because of concerns over his character.

In media interviews before last season's draft, Thurman said he hoped his candor with team officials about his past would sway opinions.

His play for the resurgent Bengals last season certainly did.

Thurman registered a team-high 148 tackles, five interceptions and five forced fumbles, outshining Cincinnati's first-round pick and former Georgia All-American David Pollack. Thurman was reportedly fined and disciplined for violating team policies and was held out of the starting lineup in the regular-season finale for breaking team rules.

The Bengals excused Thurman from their minicamp in June for personal reasons, though it is not known if that is related to this development.

The Bengals selected former Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks in the supplemental draft Thursday. Cincinnati also chose former Florida State linebacker A.J. Nicholson in the April draft.

marvin lewis is going to kill himself.

Yea, how many idiots can this guy get stuck with?

But with him coaching the defense, he can still turn it out, even with guys who might be second or third string on another team.

Beside that, your boys are going to win with offense. HOUSHMANZADEH!