USA Today Pick for Rookie of the Year

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

In an article in USA Today, they pick Odell Thurman as the frontrunner for Rookie of the year!

[BlainThePain]

He seems to be a shoe in

[wadehurst]

He seems to be a shoe in

He deserves it.

[benglsdrumr]

but will he make the pro bowl? THAT is the question!

[ShulaSteakhouse]

He won't come close to making the pro bowl - as flashy as he is for a rookie - he really isn't that good yet when compared to the other MLB's in the AFC, and isn't even in the top 30 in tackles in the NFL officially (Bengals.com stats are not officially recognized by the league I don't think and are often padded).

Off the top of my head these guys should make it over him easily:

Vilma

Fletcher

Mike Peterson

Zach Thomas

Andra Davis

Donnie Edwards

Gary Brackett

The Bengals' d-line and LB's are absent from any and all leader boards on defense - AFC or the NFL.

Hate to beat a dead horse but the Bengals' defense really is not that good and do not have a single elite player other than Deltha (and hopefully Madeiu when he returns again).

It's why I keep saying that a lot of these guys you see here now on this defense, at least the vets, will not be here in 2 years.

[kingwilly]

Considering the Pro Bowl voting wraps up before the season ends, then I doubt he makes it to Hawaii...

Shula, added to your list is: Cato June and Al Wilson. but Davis and Peterson should get in line behind Odell.

[buck3y3d]

He's not a shoe in. There's a DT, whose name I can't remember, who is approaching 10 sacks. If he gets there, Odell could and probably will lose.

He is not close to the probowl yet, but in years to come.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Considering the Pro Bowl voting wraps up before the season ends, then I doubt he makes it to Hawaii...

Shula, added to your list is: Cato June and Al Wilson. but Davis and Peterson should get in line behind Odell.

June's an OLB though right? Wilson won't make it this year - #'s are way down and too many other guys having better years this time around.

Peterson has 117 total tackles and 7 passes defensed... Davis has 124 and 3 PD's...based on that alone they are above Odell IMO and I'm sure the voters, at this point, would agree I think.

I think people tend to forget all of the plays Odell "doesn't" make still as a rookie - it's why his tackle #'s are down. His INT's might make a difference though if he comes on strong the last 3 games.

Just trying to be objective - Odell isn't even in the top 10 of MLb's in the league yet. Hopefully that changes, he's got all the talent in the world to be a top 5 type some day.

And hopefully he gets the rook award, I think he deserves that certainly.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

The only rookie with any large number of sacks is Shawne Merriman. However, Shawne only has 7 sacks, 42 total tackles, zero interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 3 passes defensed and no touchdowns.

Odell, on the other hand, has just 1.5 sacks, 81 total tackles, 5 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, 3 passes defensed, and a touchdown.

Odell is making more plays and more BIG plays than Merriman.

[kentjett]

Mark my words, Odell will win the Defensive rookie of the year. Merriman, Tatupu, and Ware will round out that top 4 vote getters.

[kingwilly]

I agree that he should take the D ROY award, key to this is the fact the bengals are a winning program.

Anyoen remember if any ROY's ever came from a team with a losing record?

[Whur CHad At?]

Big Lofa Tatupu from Seattle will prob. get it, even though Odell clearly deserves it.

[andybren]

I agree that he should take the D ROY award, key to this is the fact the bengals are a winning program.

Anyoen remember if any ROY's ever came from a team with a losing record?

Did Barry Sanders win ROY?

EDIT: okay, I'm looking at a website that lists past winners...leading candidates for ROY's from losing teams include Brian Urlacher (Bears) and Simeon Rice (Cardinals) from the defensive side. Anquan Boldin (Cardinals), Warrick Dunn (Bucs), Barry Sanders (Lions) and.....

Carl Pickens (Bengals).

I'm guestimating on the losing record part. Except for the Bengals in Carl Pickens' year.

[Stripes]

Wasn't Corey Dillon the Offensive Rookie of the Year too?

I think Odell has some serious competition with Lofa Taputu, but will end up winning the award.