So we don't get Odell back this year. Sucks for the Bengals, but really sucks for him. Lets hope the kid can stay out of trouble, avoid driving directly into DUI checkpoints or beating people senseless at house parties. Lets hope he gets the feeling that pretending to change and changing are two different things. Maybe take a glance at the guy drafted right ahead of him. His isn't playing either, but by no fault of his own.

So we don't get Odell back. Instead we get to start last years leading tackler, or a seasoned veteran in his place. Guys who are not the flashy explosive playmakers, but the do-your-job grunts. Guys who will not over-pursue around the corner. Guys who will make sure they do what they have to do, so the new phenom can make the plays in the middle.

So we don't get Odell this year, maybe next year. Hopefully he stays out of trouble, rejoins the team and has a productive career. Hopefully he comes back to Cincinnati with a heavy hitting style and the unique perspective of a pro, with super-star ability who understands that ability can only get you so far. Hopefully get Odell back, not because we need him, but because I think he needs us.