Is He Worth the Risk?

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I found this article interesting from the perspective that Ted Thompson, the former Seahawks Vice Pres. is now going to be running his first draft as G.M. of the Green Bay Packers who draft #24 in the first round, one pickafter the Seahawks at #23.

It is also interesting in light of the recent Seattle Times acticle Titled Hawks 2002 Crop Not Bearing Fruit which discusses Former Vice President Ted Thompson's 2002 draft picks and how his rolling the dice on talented yet troubled athletes has notpanned out for the Seahawks.

The article mentions the fact that Odell Thurman (pictured) has had some serious alcohol and disciplinary related issues in the past but the Packers need a linebacker; and considering some of the character risk picks Thompson made while with the Seahawks, most notably Jerramy Stevens and Koren Robinson, Thompson just may be tempted to take a risk yet again.

The article quotes a scout saying of Odell Thurman, that, "He's a better all-around athlete than Michael Boulware, who moved from linebacker in college to safety with the Seahawks."

I think it will be interesting to watch what Ted Thompson will do at #24, will he once again take a risk on a player with character issues? It will also be interesting to see how differently the Seahawks under Tim Ruskell approach this draft, compared to how they did in the past under Ted Thompson.

One thing is certain, if Ruskell stays true to his word, he will not be taking any chances on potential character problems, which means that if Odell falls to #23, he will most certainly fall to #24 giving Thompson another chance to take another risk on a talented but troubled athlete.

The article also gives a very good overview of the linebackers in this draft and which round they will likely be selected. It gives the opinion that outside of Derrick Johnson, Maybe Odell, and possibly Barrett Ruud, there are no linebackers worth taking in the first round and that Ruud and Odell will probably both go in the second round.