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Monday, May 19, 2008
Is Thurman worth a gamble?
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.
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