Cincinnati Bengals: Antwan Odom Is Busted for PEDs

According to many sources like this, Antwan Odom was looking at a four-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs. Odom has appealed the suspension and is hopeful that a reversal is coming. He is still expected to play against the Patriots on Sunday. 

Of course, we now know that these were all Internet rumors. It is looking like the banned substance was taken in a prescription medication.

Here is a quick review of Antwan Odom's time spent with the Bengals and what a suspension would mean.

Antwan's Response and Follow-Up

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 28: Tyler Thigpen #4 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the ball while defended by Antwan Odom #98 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL game on December 28, 2008 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Ge

Odom has denied testing positive for steroids or PEDs. (More information here.)

Steve Wyche of NFL.com says the "banned element is contained in a prescribed medication" here.

40 Pounds

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 26: Defensive end Antwan Odom #98 of the Cincinnati Bengals sets on the line against the Houston Texans on October 26, 2008 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Prior to the 2009 season, Antwan Odom added roughly 40 pounds of muscle. Check out this article from last year, which talks about Odom's improved strength. The article even says that Odom improved so much that he was "twice as strong."

He started the season at 290 pounds. The added weight and muscle allowed Odom to play with more power and strength. The results were immediate. Odom turned in great games against Denver and Green Bay to start the season.

Game Changer?

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 20: Quarterback Aaron Rogers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is sacked by defensive end Antwan Odem #98 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field on September 20, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Bengals defeated the Packers 31-24

Many viewed Antwan Odom as a game changer after his two sack game against Denver and his huge five sack performance against the Packers in 2009. However, if you take away these games, Odom more closely resembles a bust.

Odom has recorded a sack in only six of the 18 games that he played in for the Bengals. In four of those six, he recorded one sack. Including those games, he has averaged .6 sacks per game. Take those away and the number drops to .25 sacks per game.

Injury Prone

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CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 18: Defensive end Antwan Odem #98 of the Cincinnati Bengals is taken off the field on a cart after an injury against the Houston Texans at Paul Brown Stadium on October 18, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Ima

Odom has had trouble getting onto the field.

He missed four games and eight starts with a shoulder injury, suffered during practice in 2008. Last year, he missed 10 games with an Achilles injury.

Frostee Rucker

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 25: Frostee Rucker #92 of the Cincinnati Bengals waves to the crowd after a tackle during the NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won 45-10. (Photo by Andy L

The biggest beneficiary may be Frostee Rucker. Most expected that the Bengals would only carry eight defensive lineman. Rucker looked like the odd man out. It is possible that the Bengals were notified and went with a ninth lineman.

In Summary

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CINCINNATI - 2009: Antwan Odom of the Cincinnati Bengals poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by NFL Photos)

If Odom was ready to resume the big season he was working on in 2009, this could be a big blow to the defense. On the other hand, Odom has not done well this preseason. He was getting pushed back by second string players. He also had physical problems. He lost 20 pounds due to a virus and was dealing with the Achilles tendon injury. Given these problems, the suspension may come at a good time. He can put his weight back on and get some strength back during his time off.

Behind him on the depth chart are Frostee Rucker and Carlos Dunlap. Last year, Jonathan Fanene filled in admirably in Odom's place. They could also try Michael Johnson in that spot.