I'm sure the NFL has a good reason to extend his suspension but I think they should have announced the decision earlier. He sent in his application a month ago, now they announce it ONE day before training camp. I know they've got big issues in the NFL office but IMO the timing is very bad for a team with a weak defense with hopes of Thurman's return.

Lapham seems to think he might have missed a drug test.

Lapham seems to think he might have missed a drug test.

 

That certainly is enough. Didn't they just nail a tour de France guy for that.

Missed test equals failed test, where is Ontario Smith and the Wizenator when you need him?

Lapham seems to think he might have missed a drug test.

 

 

Makes sense.

 

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello cited the privacy provisions of the substance abuse policy when he gave a no comment on what reasons commissioner Roger Goodell may have had for denying Thurman.

It's about time someone held these spoiled athletes accountable for the decisions they make without being blinded by their abilities or the fans. If more leagues would go this route (are you listening Mr. Stern, Mr. Selig) then the problems would resolve themselves VERY quickly and teams wouldn't be so quick to turn a blind eye to the actions of their players.

Aside from the past roid and HGH issues the MLB hasn't had a fraction of the problems the NFL and NBA have had off the field. I'd would rather be in Selig's shoes than Goodell or Stern. The MLB doesnt have guys, smacking strippers, making it rain or blasting guns in the air, having there posses beat up people.

Bummer.

Lapham seems to think he might have missed a drug test.

 

The guy is an idiot if he did miss a test. How much can you coddle a person. And Guru if what you are reporting is true about him going at it with a stripper's bodyguard, this guy has certainly not shown any attempt to stay under the radar. I personally think he deserves everything he gets and needs to be made an example of, however, I also think he is the best LB the Bengals have ever had and will be missed. I hope Brooks steps up and makes us forget about Odell.

q11,

 

My source is very solid on this one.

If you go back last season, I was saying that he was not complying %100 with his drug rehab. I also said it was meth & maryjane was 2 of the things he was on. Now my source who worked for the Bengals for 4 years has left to take another job (which is none NFL job), was also telling me that upper management was having meetings with Odell about this. Now, I don't know anything that has involved Odell in the last 4 or 5 months, but if he straighten up at the last second, it was not good enough for Roger. :walk:

I don't think it was anything secret that Meth and MJ part of his troubles. A lot more of it had to do with drinking.

If he sits out this year I would say the odds of him playing again in the NFL are not good.

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=6147

"We've got the backing of the team and the appeal should be received Monday," said Safarrah Lawson on Friday night, a day after Goodell's decision shelved Thurman for the second straight season. "We feel like he has complied with the guidelines set down by the league. He hasn't had a positive test. He's been clean and they can test him up to 10 times a month."

 

An NFLPA lawyer will try to make the case with Goodell, who hears the appeals of his sanctions.

 

"He's extremely disappointed," said Lawson of Thurman. "He was where he had to be whenever he had to be there."

 

Goodell has a mixed record on his recent appeals. Pacman Jones withdrew his appeal of his one-year suspension for violations of the conduct policy after meeting with the commissioner. Two weeks ago Goodell reduced Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen's four-game suspension to two for two DUIs.

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=6147

 

He has to appeal and I'm glad he is. We don't know the whole story but hopefully it wasn't that bad. Heck even an 8 game suspension wouldn't be that bad.