[BFritz]

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=6142

Denied for at least another year. Shouldn't hurt too much with Brooks, Jeanty, Johnson and Hartwell able to fill the linebacking core.

[Grand Slam]

why was he denied

[BFritz]

why was he denied

Didn't really say, he had a clean slate, and the only thing that could have even been mentioned is this:

During the spring, Thurman had been allegedly involved in an asault at a party in his hometown of Monticello, Ga., but police weren't called at the time and no charges were filed.

But that could be nothing. Basically, Goodell's a punk and is trying to be a hard ass. Cracking down is one thing, but being a punk and trying to flex your muscle when someone tries to turn their life around and does everything you ask is another thing. I just hope now Thurman doesn't turn back to his old ways............... If he does, it's on Goodell.

[Bengal Cat]

Would have been nice to have OT, but really wasn't counting on him. We will be fine at LB. Now that we know, it's time to move forward.

[More Cowbell]

If he did something else that we don't know about, that's one thing, but if not then this is just absolutely pointless. He already served his punishment by being suspended a full year, what good does another year do, other than to sabotage his career? I agree, Goodell is just trying to act tough, whether or not he hurts somebody in the process.

Side note, can Thurman appeal, like Pac-Man talked about doing? Or is it a done deal, whatever Judge Goodell says, goes?

[Tubby Hater]

Goodell is just putting himself in a situation that when anyone does anything wrong he will have to suspend them. He really has no choice but to suspend Vick for atleast a year and if he is convicted it will be interesting to see if he ever plays again. Wonder what will happen when one of the good ol boys like Manning or Brady get a DUI or something.

[BFritz]

If he did something else that we don't know about, that's one thing, but if not then this is just absolutely pointless. He already served his punishment by being suspended a full year, what good does another year do, other than to sabotage his career? I agree, Goodell is just trying to act tough, whether or not he hurts somebody in the process.

Side note, can Thurman appeal, like Pac-Man talked about doing? Or is it a done deal, whatever Judge Goodell says, goes?

Whatever Goodell says goes- 98.37% sure on that one. I believe he can't apply for reinstatement again til a year from now, which it's hard for a person who's been in trouble to stay clean when they've busted their ass to get off drugs, get back into shape, and do everything the leader asks only to have the leader play drop the soap in prison on him.

Goodell is just putting himself in a situation that when anyone does anything wrong he will have to suspend them. He really has no choice but to suspend Vick for atleast a year and if he is convicted it will be interesting to see if he ever plays again. Wonder what will happen when one of the good ol boys like Manning or Brady get a DUI or something.

If Vick gets convicted a year suspension won't matter because he'll be doing 5-6 years in jail

Would have been nice to have OT, but really wasn't counting on him. We will be fine at LB. Now that we know, it's time to move forward.

I agree, but it would have been a nasty core with Thurman and all the new add-ons

[More Cowbell]

Whatever Goodell says goes- 98.37% sure on that one. I believe he can't apply for reinstatement again til a year from now, which it's hard for a person who's been in trouble to stay clean when they've busted their ass to get off drugs, get back into shape, and do everything the leader asks only to have the leader play drop the soap in prison on him.

What I meant was can he appeal the length of the suspension. I remember Pac-Man Jones talked about appealing his season-long suspension before he changed his mind (most likely realized it was a lost cause). But if he could appeal, I wonder why Thurman couldn't try to have it reduced to 8 games or something like that.

[Scotty doesn't know]

Didn't really say, he had a clean slate, and the only thing that could have even been mentioned is this:


But that could be nothing. Basically, Goodell's a punk and is trying to be a hard ass. Cracking down is one thing, but being a punk and trying to flex your muscle when someone tries to turn their life around and does everything you ask is another thing. I just hope now Thurman doesn't turn back to his old ways............... If he does, it's on Goodell.

I would agree. Reward the guy justly. He kept up on his part and the league did not carry through. The NFL has really shown that all they care about is their image, not the correct thing for the situation. I agree with you BFritz if he turns back to his old ways it is likely for Goodell not allow that chance.

[Lake Chief]

Basically, Goodell's a punk and is trying to be a hard ass. Cracking down is one thing, but being a punk and trying to flex your muscle when someone tries to turn their life around and does everything you ask is another thing. I just hope now Thurman doesn't turn back to his old ways............... If he does, it's on Goodell.

Surely you can't be serious! The only punks are the ones that play for the Bengals, Chargers, Falcons, etc. who get in trouble with the law. The NFL has several investigators who do their own investigating of off the field incidents. Goodell just doesn't wake up and decide to suspend someone over breakfast. If Thurman goes back to his old ways, it's on Thurman and nobody else. It's called self accountability and it's something pro sports has less of each day.

[BFritz]

What I meant was can he appeal the length of the suspension. I remember Pac-Man Jones talked about appealing his season-long suspension before he changed his mind (most likely realized it was a lost cause). But if he could appeal, I wonder why Thurman couldn't try to have it reduced to 8 games or something like that.

I was partly wrong, he can appeal the suspension, but Goodell also hears the appeals, so it might not do any good.

Surely you can't be serious! The only punks are the ones that play for the Bengals, Chargers, Falcons, etc. who get in trouble with the law. The NFL has several investigators who do their own investigating of off the field incidents. Goodell just doesn't wake up and decide to suspend someone over breakfast. If Thurman goes back to his old ways, it's on Thurman and nobody else. It's called self accountability and it's something pro sports has less of each day.

Players should be self-accountable, but when you do everything you're supposed to do and try to turn your life around and then get kicked in the nuts for it, it's not right.

And, actually, that's what Goodell has been doing lately. Thurman's lawyer, and even all his teammates, say that Thurman has been obeying all of his requirements and that there was no sign that he would be reinstated.

[bball fan]

Goodell is just putting himself in a situation that when anyone does anything wrong he will have to suspend them. He really has no choice but to suspend Vick for atleast a year and if he is convicted it will be interesting to see if he ever plays again. Wonder what will happen when one of the good ol boys like Manning or Brady get a DUI or something.

You are forgetting that the "good ol boys" like Brady and Manning have a brain and make great decisions so they will never get a DUI...unlike the rest of these thugs that are in trouble who just can't seem to figure it out!!!

[rallo316]

Manning and Brady will never get in trouble because they focusing on winning championships rather than who and how many is in there posse.

[Lake Chief]

I was partly wrong, he can appeal the suspension, but Goodell also hears the appeals, so it might not do any good.



Players should be self-accountable, but when you do everything you're supposed to do and try to turn your life around and then get kicked in the nuts for it, it's not right.

And, actually, that's what Goodell has been doing lately. Thurman's lawyer, and even all his teammates, say that Thurman has been obeying all of his requirements and that there was no sign that he would be reinstated.

How do you know he's done everything he was supposed to? Are you his lawyer? Are you in his posse or something? You ASSUME he's done everything he was supposed to. Again, Roger Goodell doesn't wake up one morning and decide to suspend people on a whim. He hears from the NFL investigators who have thouroughly looked into every matter Thurman was involved in.

As far as the situation in Georgia goes, just because the people dropped the charges, doesn't mean it didn't happen. With what Thurman had on the line, I'm sure those people are driving a nicer car or wearing nicer clothes now as opposed to before that happened. Again, these are things the NFL investigators check into and report back to Goodell with.

[Playboy5]

Goodell is the man IMO! I am sure all Bengals fans will say this about Goodell as all prisoners hate cops! Same scenario!

[Bengal Cat]

Manning and Brady will never get in trouble because they focusing on winning championships rather than who and how many is in there posse.

I'd say Carson Palmer has that same focus. I don't remember him ever being in trouble. But the QB's can't help what their teammates do.

[Bengal Cat]

Goodell chose to fine Joey Porter for assaulting a fellow player rather than suspending him. All I'm saying is if you are going to set a standard, set it across the board for everybody.

[BFritz]

I was partly wrong, he can appeal the suspension, but Goodell also hears the appeals, so it might not do any good.

I think I was partly worng again. I think the NFL Player's Association hears the appeal, but it mentions Goodell again anyway, so i'm confused and don’t know who has the final say.

How do you know he's done everything he was supposed to? Are you his lawyer? Are you in his posse or something? You ASSUME he's done everything he was supposed to. Again, Roger Goodell doesn't wake up one morning and decide to suspend people on a whim. He hears from the NFL investigators who have thouroughly looked into every matter Thurman was involved in.

As far as the situation in Georgia goes, just because the people dropped the charges, doesn't mean it didn't happen. With what Thurman had on the line, I'm sure those people are driving a nicer car or wearing nicer clothes now as opposed to before that happened. Again, these are things the NFL investigators check into and report back to Goodell with.

His lawyer has said he's done everything he's supposed to, and so did all his teammates who have a pretty good idea about his "posse" and his recent activities. Goodell doesn't wake up in the morning and decide to suspend people, Thurman DID deserve the original suspendsion, but now he's just trying to flex his muscle and be a hard ass. Every article from everywhere in that I've seen from sites from everywhere in the nation say that Goodell is being unjust here. If they found out information about anything that would have an effect on the case, the NFL or Goodell would have released it, or at least informed the Bengals, his lawyer, or him.

And, respond to this:

Goodell chose to fine Joey Porter for assaulting a fellow player rather than suspending him. All I'm saying is if you are going to set a standard, set it across the board for everybody.

Again, if there was some other reason, Goodell or the NFL would have to release it. Thurman did his time.

[More Cowbell]

I agree, if Thurman did something to warrant another year on suspension, let's hear it. Don't just say "He's suspended, but we won't tell why." That just makes the league come off looking ridiculous. Suspending someone for a whole season for an unknown infraction, sounds kinda like 'double-secret probation' to me.

And yes, Joey Porter got off with a slap on the wrist compared to others.

[Lake Chief]

Turns out Odell missed a meeting with his probation officer and may have missed a drug test. Of course, I'm sure the commish wasn't aware of this before he decided to drop the hammer now was he?