DuffMan Posted April 5, 2007 Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=5966Interesting read, sounds like Brooks is getting his sh*t together. Things that interested me: Certainly, Hunley has been impressed. Brooks returned to Paul Brown Stadium a couple of weeks before workouts started this past Monday and is in good shape downstairs in the weight room at 265 pounds on the way down to 255 and is trying to add muscle in Hunley’s room watching tape. He'll remind you that a year ago at this time he was 280 and struggling to get down.“I want to show them I’m a leader, that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to step in Brian’s shoes and be a leader and take control of the defense,” Brooks said. “I’ve got to know what I’m doing on my assignments so that I can play fast.What does matter is the loss of Simmons and his 121 NFL games. There is angst about how the Bengals can replace his experience at backer, but Hunley believes they can do it with Landon Johnson, the right outside linebacker that is now the most experienced of the corps with 48 games.Johnson took two weeks off and spent the rest of the offseason before Monday pumping it up. Hunley says that reports of Johnson bulking up from 227 to 235 look to be true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarsonCity Posted April 5, 2007 Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 The defense will be immensely upgraded if we can get Brooks and Thurman playing close to their potential at linebacker. I get downright giddy just thinking about the plays these guys will make while flying all over the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BENGALTHEM Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 If we pick up a LB in the first round, and Thurman comes back................a starting Thurman , Brooks, and a 1st round LB would be fun to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James_Brooks21 Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 If we pick up a LB in the first round, and Thurman comes back................a starting Thurman , Brooks, and a 1st round LB would be fun to watch.I don't think they are going to go after a linebacker sounds like they are contempt with Landon, I'm tired of hearing all the talk from the different Bengals I can't wait to see some results on the field only then will I become a believer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoePong Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 If we pick up a LB in the first round, and Thurman comes back................a starting Thurman , Brooks, and a 1st round LB would be fun to watch.I can't think of any LBs in the draft worthy of a 1st round pick that could play on the strong side. Besides, our first two picks should be used on the secondary-a CB and a safety. And if we don't use them on the secondary, we need a pass rusher. LB is the one position where we are pretty much set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 Good to hear Brooks is on the learning curve and didn't report at 280. He'll make a vicious MLB if he can keep his weight and know what he's doing on and off the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrod382 Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 Ahmad seems to have that "it" that it takes to be a star on defense. I can't wait to see him out there next year, he better start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjakq27 Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 I was one that thought Pollack was done. But I think the emergence of Brooks and the possiblity of Pollack returning made Simmons expendable. Johnson has been a solid player for three seasons and Miller played with some fire in his belly once he replaced Brooks. I do hope they stick with defense in rounds one and two. It will be a key to the success of this team in '07. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 Without intending to change the topic, but addressing comments... Where's the talk of Odell coming back coming from ?? I still haven't heard anything saying he would be back or that Marvin is going to give him another shot. Back on track, I think Brooks will have an improved year and I honestly looking forward to seeing what he's going to do. If he turns into the beast everyone expected him to be, things could be fun. For as much as I'm unhappy with the defense, I'm actually looking forward to seeing some of the guys from last years draft and what they will bring to the table this year. It will be either a great success and Marvin will be vindicated for some of the picks made or they will fail and give yet another reason to blast them for the picks... Anyway around, it should prove interesting...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoePong Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 I haven't heard anything to suggest that Odell won't be back. Until I hear otherwise, I have no reason to think he won't be. It's just a question of when he is able to work himself back into the lineup. I imagine they'll be playing him both at MLB and weakside OLB, backing up Brooks and L Johnson. He may surpass Landon as the weakside starter at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 About time got tired of not being able use him on madden Harhar.Marvin is going to give him another shot.When has he said Odell is no longer a bengal? Till they cut him Odell is a bengal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 I have no doubt that Odell is still in fact a Bengal, this I fully understand. What I don't understand is how anyone feels he just going to work his way back in. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see a HUNGRY Odell back in the lineup, but with all the issues, being in Marvin's doghouse, and doing nothing for the past year, he's not just moving back in. It will take HARD work and that is something we just haven't seen from Odell. I'm rooting for him and wish him well though !!!WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 It will take HARD work and that is something we just haven't seen from Odell. I'm rooting for him and wish him well though !!!Yup.If/when Odell rejoins the squad on the practice field, I expect him to be lumped with the scrum of special teamers and backups. He'll have to prove to the coaches not only that they can depend on him, but that he is in adequate physical condition. If he does all that, however, I'd look for him to take the starting MLB job back for himself before opening weekend.Plenty of ifs in that equation though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walrus Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 About time got tired of not being able use him on madden Harhar.Marvin is going to give him another shot.When has he said Odell is no longer a bengal? Till they cut him Odell is a bengal.He's indicated this several times. This article is dated March 22.Lewis did not sound optimistic about the return of linebacker Odell Thurman, currently in alcohol rehab."Odell is not really part of the football team," Lewis said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShulaSteakhouse Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 Yeah Odell is a big ? mark still and his condition last preseason (he looked and played terribly) doesn't exactly instill a lot of confidence in anyone.IF he's stayed sober and is working out regularly, sure no reason to think he can't be a factor again. He must've had some serious chemical dependency problems we weren't really aware of.What's sad is the last thing I remember from him as a Bengal, is him walking off the field after the playoff loss to Pitt, saying "we'll be back" etc.., etc..., Ugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 "Odell is not really part of the football team," Lewis said.Gotta take it in the right context... He was suspended for the season, and was henceforth "not with the football team." I won't believe he's gone until Marvin or Mikey outright says "Odell Thurman has been cut." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekshank Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 "Odell is not really part of the football team," Lewis said.Gotta take it in the right context... He was suspended for the season, and was henceforth "not with the football team." I won't believe he's gone until Marvin or Mikey outright says "Odell Thurman has been cut."He was suspended by the NFL... not banished. Marvin is the one who made him clean out his locker and not come back. That was not enforced by the NFL. Perhaps Marvin had a deal with Odell that if he could stay out of trouble for a year without being a hinderance to the team by always being around he could come back... but Marvin went above and beyong what the NFL requires when it comes to suspensions. That should communicate something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 He was suspended by the NFL... not banished. Marvin is the one who made him clean out his locker and not come back. That was not enforced by the NFL. Perhaps Marvin had a deal with Odell that if he could stay out of trouble for a year without being a hinderance to the team by always being around he could come back... but Marvin went above and beyong what the NFL requires when it comes to suspensions. That should communicate something.Indeed, though I'm inclined to assume Marvin was only ensuring that the reality of his year-long suspension sunk in by removing him entirely from team activities. It doesn't sound (to me) like Marvin to send a player packing the instant he receives his league punishment.I also have a feeling we'd know for sure by now if he won't be returning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekshank Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 He was suspended by the NFL... not banished. Marvin is the one who made him clean out his locker and not come back. That was not enforced by the NFL. Perhaps Marvin had a deal with Odell that if he could stay out of trouble for a year without being a hinderance to the team by always being around he could come back... but Marvin went above and beyong what the NFL requires when it comes to suspensions. That should communicate something.Indeed, though I'm inclined to assume Marvin was only ensuring that the reality of his year-long suspension sunk in by removing him entirely from team activities. It doesn't sound (to me) like Marvin to send a player packing the instant he receives his league punishment.I also have a feeling we'd know for sure by now if he won't be returning.I'm not saying he's not returning. I'm not sure the Bengals have the right to cut him right now. They can't cut him for performance reasons, because they have no idea how he can perform after a year off... and the can't cut him for conduct detrimental to the team, because he hasn't been around the team. He's only been serving the discipline handed down to him.My point is... when he comes back, he will either (1) be cut because he's out of shape; or (2) be used as a back-up/special teamer. I have very little hope that he will ever return to the full time MLB position... especially given the recent article about Brooks being the starting MLB.Could he be a WSLB as Brooks suggested? Also doubtful. Marvin doesn't trust him... and neither do I. He's just one missed test away from another long-term suspension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobcat Bengal Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 How come O'Dell gets mentioned in every post concerning LBs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 How come O'Dell gets mentioned in every post concerning LBs?He's in alcohol abuse treatment, so he "Twelve Steps" his way in there I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 How come O'Dell gets mentioned in every post concerning LBs? Thurman is the 1,200 lb. elephant in the room. He may be sitting quietly for the moment, but he's impossible to ignore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 On a related LB note, Jason Berryman got dumped by the Berlin Thunder and is now on the Cologne Centurions practice squad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 Well, Odell can't even apply for reinstatement until June, so I think this puts him in a very poor position... I'm glad we have Brooks...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoTbOy Posted April 10, 2007 Report Share Posted April 10, 2007 I thought that OThurman was in the doghouse also and I did not expect for him to be on this team after what MLewis said...If he cames back that would be great but now with the commissioner getting even tougher with conduct does MLewis trust OThurman enough to even give him another chance... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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