Is Thurman worth a gamble?

By Steve Wyche | Monday, May 19, 2008, 03:38 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Falcons started OTA’s today and for those of you don’t know what OTAs are, they are technically Offseason Training Activities or more scaled down mini-camp type practices. These are additional sessions to help with on-field work. The big difference between these workouts and mini camps is there aren’t meetings and film session required.

Players can put in the extra work if they want, but it’s voluntary.

There was a development that took place today that got me thinking about how much I’d love to get your thoughts.

The Bengals released former UGA middle linebacker Odell Thurman. According to them, Thurman had not taken the proper steps to convince the image-tarnished franchise that he was worth any more investment. Thurman recently was re-instated after being suspended the past two seasons by the NFL. Thurman was barred for repeated violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy.

Thurman has not failed any drug of alcohol tests and he has been diligent with alcohol counseling for months, which is why NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated him last month, according to his representative, Safarrah Lawson. Cincinnati let him go because Thurman missed a whole week of voluntary OTAs last week after his grandmother, Betty Thurman, died, Lawson said. If that is true, Thurman could have grounds for a grievance because OTAs are voluntary.

What I’d like to hear from you is this: Should the Falcons take a flyer on Thurman? Yes, they are trying to clean up their image and Thurman has had character issues dating back to his UGA days. However, he had shown enough character improvement/development for Goodell to reinstate him, so maybe he has gotten some things in order

Atlanta could get him for relatively cheap and always get rid of him if there is even a sign of a problem. Granted, the Falcons just drafted Curtis Lofton from Oklahoma, who is pegged to be the middle linebacker of the future. And Thurman has been out of football for two years. Yet, in 2005, Thurman drew strong consideration for the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year and he is a prototype middle linebacker.

Thurman also could be reunited with his college position coach Brian VanGorder, with whom he held a strong relationship with at one point.

I’m not advocating a move by Atlanta either way. I’d just like to get your thoughts.

On a different note, NFL officials will hold a one-day meeting Tuesday in Atlanta. The 2012 Super Bowl will be awarded and there will be discussion of whether owners will opt out of the current labor pact, which could interrupt playing beginning in 2011.

I'd take him under 2 conditions: He's dirt cheap, and if there is a conduct clause written into his contract. If both of those are there then fine. If not, forget it.

Odell getting cut over missing the OTA`s after his Grandmothers death is a crock.
A second chance might be in order?

Or is that a third? I can't keep track. His college days were not quiet either. The Bungles can't afford much more crap.

But then,..neither can we....

Gotta disagree on that one BT.

Mrs Thurman passed away on My 6th and was buried on Monday May 12th.

Odel was given 3 additional days following her funeral to report. He failed to report. I know he was hurting and I know how he feels, I lost my Grandmother last year.

Bigger and more complicated things occupy his life.

Tyrone Thurman Is Sentenced to 20 Years

Ted Dunagan 08.MAY.08
The Monticello News

Tyrone Thurman, currently incarcerated in the Jasper County Jail, was sentenced to 20 years with 10 to serve and $15,000 in restitution Tuesday in Jasper Superior Court by Judge James L. Cline Jr.

Mr. Thurman was scheduled for trial, but pled guilty at the last moment to aggravated assault, a felony, and cruelty to a child, as a result of his slashing the face of a female victim in the presence of a minor child.

Separate charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, aggravated assault and driving while license suspended or revoked were continued.


It's also NO secret that Odel "bought his way out of the charges against him last spring. Just ask anyone in Monticello, they'll tell you. (I'm sure you remember my post here about the conversation I over heard at lunch there.)

But with all the stuff going on within his family, you have to wonder was there more to this than what meets the eye?


I agree with Iowa, he would have to be so cheap he would be paying the team to play and many many conduct and drug clauses would be included in the contract.

Doc, I held back from saying yes or no on Odell.
I don`t know all the details about the things that went on down in Jasper county.
Monticello is a pretty small town and people in places like that gossip a lot and often don`t have their facts straight.

If the Falcons could get him on the cheaps with a stiff conduct clause?
Could be a low risk big reward deal for the team?

You're right, Monticello is a small town and gossip is gossip, But the old song "Friends In Low Places" is kind of fitting in this case. I won't name names of who I know down there and how, but what was over heard was also verified through other "reliable" sources.
(It was all about the "money". If it had been anyone but an NFL player, it would have never happened.)

I also believe in second chances for certain offenses.

Odel's would be one,

So Yeah, like Iowa said, load the contract with conduct stipulations and sign him. Also require him to seek guidance counseling as well. He could become a superstar with the proper handling and a complete change of lifestyle.

It isn't old news that money can buy your way out of trouble. The question is where do we play him? We drafted tony Taylor last year, we drafted loft on this year. Do we have th spots to play him? I agree if he is close to his old college coach then he can keep him out of trouble. Right now I just don't see us having the spots for him.

E, you underestimate just how good a player Odell can be.
If the Falcons sign him and he is in good shape to play?
He would be our starting MLB on week one and it`s a matter of where you play everyone else.
Tony Taylor can carry Odell`s cleats, at least between the lines.

Maybe so. We need a head bussa at the Mike. I wonder if the team considered this?

I would absolutely sign him as long as the deal was cheap and he knows going into it that any crap results in him being cut. He'd be a steal for a small salary.

If he is that good then he won't sign for the league minimum. I know he needs to earn any franchises trust, but I think there is a floor he won't go to.

That's fine, give him more than that. But there's no way he's going to get a large salary.

I say we pass on him. Maybe he's truly straightened out, and maybe he's not. However, he's also not the player he was 2 years ago, which was the last time he stepped on the field. I'd be willing to hazard a guess that ALL of our LBs, including Taylor, are all better than Thurman is right now. So, what's the upside here for us? We sign a guy, even cheaply, who's got MAJOR character red flags and has been inactive for 2 years, to come on here and be what? Our 2nd string or 3rd string MLB? Maybe he plays himself back into shape, or maybe he comes in here and pops a hamstring from two seasons of being out of shape. Either way, this makes no sense for this team, which is trying to rebuild itself, and really can't afford to be taking a flyer on some idiot who can't stay out of trouble, and 2 years removed from the game.

I understand that he's a former standout at UGA, but that's no reason to bring him onto the team and risk him damaging the strained chemistry we currently have. This is a team without true on the field leadership. Thurman's presence could seriously undermine what's going on here now...if we were the Pats or the Colts, than I'd say take a chance, because we'd have outstanding on and off the field leadership present. Right now though, we don't. Brooking might be a leader, but he's not a great one. We cut Crumpler, Dunn, and traded DeAngelo, 3 of our more outspoken leaders. Joe Horn wants to be traded. What's left? Brooking, Milloy, and Abraham. 3 guys who will probably be gone within the next 2 seasons. :huh:

Pass, bunch of damn homers on here.

Musta missed the part where he's been in the training facilities at UGA constantly, hasn't turned soft or gone to flab.

His biceps looked as large as your thighs the other day........ well maybe your calfs and my thighs. Either or, he's still appeared hard as a rock.

All I can say is if he grabbed hold of my ass I'd hope I at least had a .45 locked and loaded.