Odell Arrested/1 year suspension official

[johnstownsteel]

We'll Take Him!

I'd imagine the Browns would love to have him too. Precisely why he'll be going nowhere!

Could you imagine? Thurman traded to the Steelers and he totally turns things around and becomes a pro bowler year in and year out. I 'd say your hate for the Steelers would increase tenfold!

[agreen_112]

We'll Take Him!

I'd imagine the Browns would love to have him too. Precisely why he'll be going nowhere!

Talk about scared straight!

I can hear the conversation now.

ML: "Odell, I'm sorry to have to do this, but if you can't get your head on straight and get your off the field behavior regarding drugs and alcohol under control, we'll have no choice but to trade you to the Cleveland Browns."

OT: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

(OT and CH, drinking buddies)

Oh, sorry. I should be ashamed of myself.

Actually your wrong, Henry was the sober one the police let drive them home.

[Kazkal]

Keep him,anyone who says otherwise should get a slap to the back of their head.

[Dadraftnick]

Well, let me say this.

I'm usually one that will wait to see the circumstances before I attack a player for his actions. Could it have been he was at a local bar with two players, talking about the game, he got a call that his woman was in serious trouble and took off?

I don't suspect many of you will sit back and wait to see what happens. I just know there have been situations where I made incredibly horrible choices but felt at the time that I needed to do it because it must have been done.

I'm not defending Thurman. But I'm not going to rip the guy because I just don't know what he did was stupid, or something he desperately had to do because he felt it was, in his mind, what must have been done.

Let the league, team, law and Odell deal with this. I am basking in my joy e-mailing Steelers co-workers just how bad that loss was for them.. I'm having a GREAT time.

Very true kirk,It's funny how some people who love henry are ready to sell out odell because of short memorys... if he came back week 5 and played awesome everyone would be all over his sack again just like they are on henrys now....

The arrest couldn't have come at a more inopportune time for the Bengals, who went into Heinz Field on Sunday and humbled the Pittsburgh Steelers. The fact that a carload of players were out celebrating the victory by getting blotto (we can only presume that no one in the car was sober, since common-sense suggests that the sober one would have been driving) strongly suggests that coach Marvin Lewis still has a loooooong way to go before he gets some of his guys to understand the difference between acceptable and unacceptable off-field conduct.

Wow! so you can't drink now?I understand drinking well driving but Knocking people because they freaking drink? How many fans are fing wasted at games o_O (from pft btw)

Poeple are upset BECAUSE they love Thurman, they love the way he plays and the Bengals need him.

They are upset because he new the rules and for a job that pays millions and has a lot of fringe benefits like fame , women, a chance to win the Supper Bowl,ect., all he has to do is abide by the rules. He is too stupid or cheap to pay a few bucks for a cab or limo.

My brother is a comercial driver if he gets in a accident (even if it not his fualt),has a speeding ticket, or a moving violation he can be fired because of the price the of insurance to the company.A DUI would get him fired for sure.He has harder rules to live by than most of us but, its part of the job.

NFL players have rules that they must live by if they want to play .

I just think that living by rules that the rest of scioety lives by is not too much to ask out of these guys.If not for themselves for the team,the fans,the money,women, for something.

People have got to stop making excuses for the screw ups. I love Thurman I just want him on the field and it makes me sick to think he might be gone for the rest of the season because of stupidity.

[CPalmer9]

pretty easy answer to this question...keep him

[rwalling]

pretty easy answer to this question...keep him

Duh!

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Come on! he's a total stud. He is 22 or so years old. How many questionable decisions have we all made between 20 and whenever?

He will pull it together, we just have to keep in mind that these guys (and so do they) are in the spotlight (how many others were arrested last night that are not on the front page?).

He will atone for his mistakes and move on. but he does not need to move on FROM the Bengals.

We also need to keep in mind that while his suspension is "drug policy violation" related, he was not using drugs and has not failed a drug test. He skipped or missed or whatever during the summer due to schedule conflicts or whatever which the NFL views as the same as a failed test. Marvin and the staff will get him back on track.

I have faith!

Odell will be okay.

That's a good question. How many of us have made a string of decisions this questionable? How many of us have gotten suspended from work for drug use? How many of us have a DUI for going twice the legal limit?

I had a lot of fun in college, but I did anything stupid like that. This isn't one of those "boys will be boys" things. The wake up call should have been the first positive test. Three positives and a major DUI later, he still doesn't get it.

And I've seen a lot of comments basically saying DUI is no big deal until you kill someone. Unfortunately, given the ridiculously lax laws in this country, that's usually the only point at which most alcoholics quit driving drunk. And believe me, I like to drink me some beer. And I like to drive. But being an adult means not combining the two.

Ask the lady Leonard Little killed whether it's a big deal when people drive drunk.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

You guys are completely over-looking the fact this is his 3rd substance abuse related violation - while he's currently under a suspension - the NFL policy, as Curnutte verifies, is very clear - he gets a one year - that's calender year - suspension from the league automatically, as a result.

Now no one knows what particulars are in his treatment program and probation - and of course he'll have to receive a guilty verdict/plea.

But, odds are likely that he's gone for the next calender year.

What an idiot.

[agreen_112]

Well, let me say this.

I'm usually one that will wait to see the circumstances before I attack a player for his actions. Could it have been he was at a local bar with two players, talking about the game, he got a call that his woman was in serious trouble and took off?

I don't suspect many of you will sit back and wait to see what happens. I just know there have been situations where I made incredibly horrible choices but felt at the time that I needed to do it because it must have been done.

I'm not defending Thurman. But I'm not going to rip the guy because I just don't know what he did was stupid, or something he desperately had to do because he felt it was, in his mind, what must have been done.

Let the league, team, law and Odell deal with this. I am basking in my joy e-mailing Steelers co-workers just how bad that loss was for them.. I'm having a GREAT time.

Very true kirk,It's funny how some people who love henry are ready to sell out odell because of short memorys... if he came back week 5 and played awesome everyone would be all over his sack again just like they are on henrys now....

The arrest couldn't have come at a more inopportune time for the Bengals, who went into Heinz Field on Sunday and humbled the Pittsburgh Steelers. The fact that a carload of players were out celebrating the victory by getting blotto (we can only presume that no one in the car was sober, since common-sense suggests that the sober one would have been driving) strongly suggests that coach Marvin Lewis still has a loooooong way to go before he gets some of his guys to understand the difference between acceptable and unacceptable off-field conduct.

Wow! so you can't drink now?I understand drinking well driving but Knocking people because they freaking drink? How many fans are fing wasted at games o_O (from pft btw)

Poeple are upset BECAUSE they love Thurman, they love the way he plays and the Bengals need him.

They are upset because he new the rules and for a job that pays millions and has a lot of fringe benefits like fame , women, a chance to win the Supper Bowl,ect., all he has to do is abide by the rules. He is too stupid or cheap to pay a few bucks for a cab or limo.

My brother is a comercial driver if he gets in a accident (even if it not his fualt),has a speeding ticket, or a moving violation he can be fired because of the price the of insurance to the company.A DUI would get him fired for sure.He has harder rules to live by than most of us but, its part of the job.

NFL players have rules that they must live by if they want to play .

I just think that living by rules that the rest of scioety lives by is not too much to ask out of these guys.If not for themselves for the team,the fans,the money,women, for something.

People have got to stop making excuses for the screw ups. I love Thurman I just want him on the field and it makes me sick to think he might be gone for the rest of the season because of stupidity.

You really sound sincere, but what makes you think that he will be gone the rest of the year? Nothing will happen untill the season is over. I can see a fine or maybe a one game suspension next year. The Dui trial won't be for at least another 3 or 4 months, then the NFL will act on the conclusion to the trial. Doesn't the CBA state that the NFL won't make any decisions until the player is convicted of a felony crime? Odell doesn't have any other pending cases in which a felony was committed, so I don't see the big deal. This has nothing to do with the Substance Abuse Policy.

[CPalmer9]

marivn pretty much just said that Odell will be out for the year...that he would be suprised if he wasnt out for the year

[Tasher]

Marvin just said it will be "dealt with very severely."

...and would be very "surprised if he is NOT suspended for the remainder of the year."

Darn it, Odell! What are you THINKING?

[HoTbOy]

When all that stuff was going on with CHenry I thought that he would be gone, and he is still on the team, but he was not on suspension when all that happened to him...with OThurman being already on suspension, I can't see how that doesn't violate the substance abuse policy...he has to be getting tested for something...yeah we could definitely use him, he was probably celebrating the win with teamates, but that innocent act is probably going to cost him this season...maybe he skates because he was caught by the police and not the NFL...

[Kazkal]

You really sound sincere, but what makes you think that he will be gone the rest of the year? Nothing will happen untill the season is over. I can see a fine or maybe a one game suspension next year. The Dui trial won't be for at least another 3 or 4 months, then the NFL will act on the conclusion to the trial. Doesn't the CBA state that the NFL won't make any decisions until the player is convicted of a felony crime? Odell doesn't have any other pending cases in which a felony was committed, so I don't see the big deal. This has nothing to do with the Substance Abuse Policy.

I don't think I just don't know what will happen =/

[Kirkendall]

a chance to win the Supper Bowl,ect.,

Is that after lunch?

[Kazkal]

link to marvin saying that?

[ShulaSteakhouse]

You really sound sincere, but what makes you think that he will be gone the rest of the year? Nothing will happen untill the season is over. I can see a fine or maybe a one game suspension next year. The Dui trial won't be for at least another 3 or 4 months, then the NFL will act on the conclusion to the trial. Doesn't the CBA state that the NFL won't make any decisions until the player is convicted of a felony crime? Odell doesn't have any other pending cases in which a felony was committed, so I don't see the big deal. This has nothing to do with the Substance Abuse Policy.

I don't think I just don't know what will happen =/

I would think it would be in his best interests - since he took the breathilyzer - to plead guilty right away - no trial, and i'm guessing that would happen regardless sooner, rather than later.

Therefore I would want to get the one year calender suspension over with. (so that he could potentially play again by early next season versus being out ALL of next season).

You know the guy may go out and do something stupid now though - he was bad enough off with just the 4 games - imagine being out an entire calender year.

What a freakin' dumb a$$ - I cannot fathom this level of stupidity in anyone - regardless of age - he's a grown man now who's played at a big time program and has a full NFL season under his belt.

Considering how hard up he was to get back on the field supposably - why on God's green earth would you go out and get tanked like that?

When you're out driving around at 3am after drinking - you are just looking for trouble.

[membengal]

Go to .com and listen to his press conference (it just ran live on 1530). ML's point is, when you are already serving a league suspension for substance abuse issues, and you get a DUI, that is fatal under the league's policy.

It's a non-issue in that he isn't on the team and won't be on the team...

[Tasher]

link to marvin saying that?

Was just live on the press conf... Lance is talking about it now, too...

1530 carried it, it should be up on bengals.com media section shortly.

[TJJackson]

As I said, Marvin all but gave up on Odell before camp even started despite his excellent onfield performance because he knew what we didn't - that this man has a severe substance abuse problem that would likely culminate in his suspension. The Draft of Ahmad Brooks, the fact that Marvin did not let him practice even when he was eligible all point to the fact that Marvin knew this was where Odell's lifestyle and choices were taking him.

I am certain Marvin is even less happy about all this than we are. His job depends in no small part on how well his players perform for him, and he's already had to mortgage a part of the future (losing a r3 pick in 2007) in order to make up for this loss.

I don't expect Odell to ever be in a Bengals uniform again, because marvin has moved on....he'll be traded or released, with the actual release date probably being controlled mostly by the salary cap rather than Marvin's preference.

I love Odell as a player as much as anyone here - but it doesn't matter how good a player is on the field if he cannot get on the field due to a suspension.

[agreen_112]

By the way I understand the NFL's substance abuse policy, there is 3 stages. Odell is already in stage 2 (which he'll be in for at least 2 years). If they do see this dui as a violation then he would be upgraded to stage 3 (which there is no time limit, and the player will stay in this level for the rest of his career). This does not include a penalty of suspension for 1 year. If he were to make a mistake in the stage 3, then he would be looking at a 1 year suspension. Now this is from a statement I read about the SAP; "but moreover, the use of alcohol may be prohibited for individual players in certain situations where ""clinically indicated"" in accordance with the terms of this Policy." I don't think this is a violation b/c he hasn't been clinically indicated as an alcoholic and doesn't abuse the substance of alcohol to get by. I think the only way a player could get into trouble for drinking is if he were to actually be an alcoholic and come to practice or better yet a game drunk...

[Tasher]

As I said, Marvin all but gave up on Odell before camp even started despite his excellent onfield performance because he knew what we didn't - that this man has a severe substance abuse problem that would likely culminate in his suspension. The Draft of Ahmad Brooks, the fact that Marvin did not let him practice even when he was eligible all point to the fact that Marvin knew this was where Odell's lifestyle and choices were taking him.

I am certain Marvin is even less happy about all this than we are. His job depends in no small part on how well his players perform for him, and he's already had to mortgage a part of the future (losing a r3 pick in 2007) in order to make up for this loss.

I don't expect Odell to ever be in a Bengals uniform again, because marvin has moved on....he'll be traded or released, with the actual release date probably being controlled mostly by the salary cap rather than Marvin's preference.

I love Odell as a player as much as anyone here - but it doesn't matter how good a player is on the field if he cannot get on the field due to a suspension.

That is a pretty big stretch. Odell was not using drugs, nor did he test positive for use. He skipped or missed a test and got suspended. Now he has made a separate mistake and will get disciplined. I thnk Marvin is looking at it as a learning experience for Odell to grow and mature. Marvin had 60 other guys to get ready to play football. He simply got those guys the reps and for a guy that is not avail in the first 4 games to take reps away from young guys that need them more is criminal.

Marvin just did what was best for the 60 guys playing football. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Kazkal]

press on bengals.com wasen't working is why i wanted a link /cry

[Kirkendall]

I caution all of you to beward of Marvin Lewis' press conference... not always at face value.

That is all.

[Kazkal]

Odell will play as a bengal again =P if they dident give up on henry their not giving up on odell where we've been weak on defense,Ya we have brooks but we also need future replacement for Bsimmons....

[Dadraftnick]

Well, let me say this.

I'm usually one that will wait to see the circumstances before I attack a player for his actions. Could it have been he was at a local bar with two players, talking about the game, he got a call that his woman was in serious trouble and took off?

I don't suspect many of you will sit back and wait to see what happens. I just know there have been situations where I made incredibly horrible choices but felt at the time that I needed to do it because it must have been done.

I'm not defending Thurman. But I'm not going to rip the guy because I just don't know what he did was stupid, or something he desperately had to do because he felt it was, in his mind, what must have been done.

Let the league, team, law and Odell deal with this. I am basking in my joy e-mailing Steelers co-workers just how bad that loss was for them.. I'm having a GREAT time.

Very true kirk,It's funny how some people who love henry are ready to sell out odell because of short memorys... if he came back week 5 and played awesome everyone would be all over his sack again just like they are on henrys now....

The arrest couldn't have come at a more inopportune time for the Bengals, who went into Heinz Field on Sunday and humbled the Pittsburgh Steelers. The fact that a carload of players were out celebrating the victory by getting blotto (we can only presume that no one in the car was sober, since common-sense suggests that the sober one would have been driving) strongly suggests that coach Marvin Lewis still has a loooooong way to go before he gets some of his guys to understand the difference between acceptable and unacceptable off-field conduct.

Wow! so you can't drink now?I understand drinking well driving but Knocking people because they freaking drink? How many fans are fing wasted at games o_O (from pft btw)

Poeple are upset BECAUSE they love Thurman, they love the way he plays and the Bengals need him.

They are upset because he new the rules and for a job that pays millions and has a lot of fringe benefits like fame , women, a chance to win the Supper Bowl,ect., all he has to do is abide by the rules. He is too stupid or cheap to pay a few bucks for a cab or limo.

My brother is a comercial driver if he gets in a accident (even if it not his fualt),has a speeding ticket, or a moving violation he can be fired because of the price the of insurance to the company.A DUI would get him fired for sure.He has harder rules to live by than most of us but, its part of the job.

NFL players have rules that they must live by if they want to play .

I just think that living by rules that the rest of scioety lives by is not too much to ask out of these guys.If not for themselves for the team,the fans,the money,women, for something.

People have got to stop making excuses for the screw ups. I love Thurman I just want him on the field and it makes me sick to think he might be gone for the rest of the season because of stupidity.

You really sound sincere, but what makes you think that he will be gone the rest of the year? Nothing will happen untill the season is over. I can see a fine or maybe a one game suspension next year. The Dui trial won't be for at least another 3 or 4 months, then the NFL will act on the conclusion to the trial. Doesn't the CBA state that the NFL won't make any decisions until the player is convicted of a felony crime? Odell doesn't have any other pending cases in which a felony was committed, so I don't see the big deal. This has nothing to do with the Substance Abuse Policy.

I think that you are not allowed to even drink if you are under substance abuse policy.If you were to try to quit drugs for instance, ( I know because I was a Psychology Major) they do not let you have cigerattes and they even will not even let you have a relationship with another if you are in rehab.Thinking is, you are tradidng one addiction for another.

I remember when Bret Favre was in pain pills and was on probation(not even suspended),he said that he was not allowed to drink.So, the fact that Odel was drinking (not to mention that the blood test that cant be denied) may be enough to get him suspended.

Lets take your scenario and say that they wait until he goes through court. He will still be suspended next year. That doesnt make what Odel look any smarter to me.