The question burning in most Bengals fans minds is can Odell Thurman have an impact on the team in 2008 if he is reinstated?  Well before we even get to that question the first real question fans should be asking themselves is can Odell Thurman even stay out of trouble long enough to make it to the field.

Please let’s not fall into the same trap like we did with Chris Henry that no player is dumb enough to get into trouble more than twice.  Mr. Henry has painfully made it clear to Bengals fans that this is just not the case.  As a matter of fact, he was able to double his "trouble production" and get hit up four times for his stupidity.

Next issue, two years is an eternity in the NFL unless you are Vinny Testaverde (the guy who will still be getting called up when he is 60).  Thurman has not played in the NFL in two years now.  The league is all about speed!  Until someone gives me a clear understanding of what this guy has been doing, I just can’t consider him to be a player.  I am assuming he has not been on the Troy Smith "Win the Heisman and Eat A Turkey a Day Diet".  This guy has been missing in action.  Until I hear from a reliable source that he is semi good shape, I would prefer not to even think about him coming back.

Now with all that being said, getting the ok to begin working out with the team is a good thing.  It gives the Bengals plenty of time to work out the Kinks and get him into decent shape.

Odell Thurman showed signs of being a great player when he played for the Bengals.  The Bengals Linebacking core is not the greatest right now.  They can use all the help they can get.  I like most fans would like to see this play out, and see Odell Thurman back on the field with the same skills he had before.  With that being said, lets not juts give this guy a free pass.  If he has fixed his life then I am all about second/third chances.  He has to earn it, and it is not going to be easy.

The jury is still out on Odell Thurman as a Bengal.  He has a long road ahead even if he does get reinstated.  He has to prove he can still compete in the NFL, but even more importantly, he has to prove he has gotten his life squared away because if he does not have his act together this time, he is going to become a very sad story and a washed up NFL player.  Can lightning strike?  Can he defy the odds, and become that star player fans thought he could be?  We will all be watching.

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