LB James Laurinaitis (St. Louis Rams)

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by WoodyWorshiper

Barring any serious injury, James will be a steal anywhere after the top 10 picks. Same thing happened with Spielman, when the "experts" at the combine decided he was too short, too slow, blah-blah-blah. Chris slid to the second round because of these idiots looking at "measurables" instead of "performance." Any GM with 1/2 a brain should be looking at game film of a 3-Time All-American LB from TOSU instead of a stopwatch or a measuring tape.

Best of Luck tomorrow, James. For you, I hope some team out there realizes your ability and you go top 10. For ME, I hope you slip to the Browns somewhere along the line.

Peace.

Just about to post nearly the same thing Dubs...Spielman is a great comparison. Too much stock is put into measurables and not enough in film. JL seems to be in a similar situation as Posluzny (sp?) a couple years back too and he's been a pretty good pro for Buffalo.

[Steve19]

Somebody is gonna get one helluva linebacker

[sandgk]

Originally Posted by Steve19

Somebody is gonna get one helluva linebacker

Heavens - both Maualuga and Laurinaitis are pure steals ...

knock me down with a feather over Matthews going ahead of these two.

[BuckeyeMike80]

JL went to the Rams.

[osugrad21]

Rams. Congrats JL

[3074326]

St. Louis Ram.

Ahead of Maualuga.

[OregonBuckeye]

2nd Buckeye to go to an NFC West rival. Seattle needs to right the ship and select Washington or Robo.

Congrats, James! You couldn't have represented tOSU any better than you did.

[MONTbigBuck]

Congrats. to JL on going to the Rams. Nfl draft team on Serius( Kerwin, Gil Brandt, Ryan) was estatic to see James paired with spagnola, spearheading the defense. The same guys really hammered the lions for passing on James, and taking a safety rated a 3rd rounder instead.

[Buckskin86]

Rams get Laurinaitis, despite failed trade
The former Wayzata High star linebacker, who should fit well in St. Louis' defensive system, says he's relieved the process is over.
By MARK CRAIG, Star Tribune
Last update: April 25, 2009

Billy Devaney, Rams vice president of player personnel, was working the phones trying desperately to trade back into the bottom of the first round of Saturday's NFL draft.

He wanted former Wayzata High School star linebacker James Laurinaitis and was convinced he wouldn't make it past the Lions at the top of the second round.

Devaney found no trade partners. He had failed.

But it wasn't long before Devaney found himself pleasantly surprised. The Rams were on the clock with the third pick of the second round and the 35th overall. And Laurinaitis, a three-time first-team All-America selection at Ohio State, was still available.

"Some of the best trades are the ones you don't make," Devaney told reporters in St. Louis.

As most draft prognosticators had predicted, Laurinaitis slipped through the first round. But he did surprise most of the experts by being the first inside linebacker selected. Southern California's Rey Maualuga, predicted to go as high as 15th overall by some, wasn't selected until Cincinnati took him with the 38th overall pick.

The 6-2, 244-pound Laurinaitis should fit the defensive system that new coach and former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is implementing.

"[Laurinaitis] has the size we're looking for," Devaney told St. Louis reporters. "He loves football. We talked about getting bigger. He adds size to our linebacker corps. He's been a tackling machine."

Laurinaitis has been on a path toward stardom for many years. He was a star high school hockey player -- "I definitely feel I could have played in the NHL, but I'm pretty happy with the NFL," he said by phone Saturday night -- and Minnesota's "Mr. Defensive Football" as a senior. And once he got to Ohio State, he developed a unique following as "Little Animal," son of Joe Laurinaitis, the former "Animal Road Warrior" of professional wrestling fame.

One of the most decorated players in college football, James won the 2006 Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation's best defensive player and the 2007 Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. He passed up the opportunity to be a first-round draft pick last year, returned to Ohio State and had a career-high 130 tackles.

Laurinaitis said he felt he deserved to be taken in the first round, but he wasn't dwelling on it.

"A lot of guys get picked in the first round and are gone in a few years," he said. "It's all about what you do when you get there. To be the first player taken at my position, mike linebacker, is an honor. This is a celebration."

After being picked apart during the predraft process, Laurinaitis said he's "relieved" that it's all over.

"I have my first minicamp on Friday," he said. "I'm looking forward to making some good headlines again."

Rams get Laurinaitis, despite failed trade

St. Louis Rams get the linebacker they wanted in draft

Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis (Terry Gilliam/file photo/AP)BY BILL COATS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
04/26/2009

Had James Laurinaitis skipped his senior year at Ohio State to enter the 2008 NFL draft, he almost surely would've been a first-round pick. Possibly even a top-10 selection.

But Laurinaitis opted to finish his college career, and on Saturday the 6-foot-2, 244-pound inside linebacker became the Rams' second-round selection, No. 35 overall.

Although he probably forfeited a tidy sum of money by waiting, Laurinaitis insisted that he harbored no second thoughts about his decision.

"I got to experience so many great things as a senior: Being part of the first Ohio State team to beat Michigan five times in a row, Senior Day, being a two-time captain ... just things that I wouldn't have been able to accomplish if I left early," he said. "To me, it's always been more about relationships and experiences. I don't regret it at all."

Along the way, Laurinaitis completed his degree in communications, posting a 3.28 grade-point average that earned him Big Ten Conference academic honors.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/spo...7?OpenDocument

[Buckskin86]

Wednesday April 29, 2009
Don Banks > INSIDE THE NFL

Brace for impact: NFL rookies with an early chance to shine in 2009 The NFL Draft has been over for almost 72 hours, which is more than enough time to discern who'll be the impact rookies of the 2009 season. What? You expected us to wait all the way until training camps opened and actual football started being played? Get real.


Inside linebacker
James Laurinaitis, Rams

First-year impact obviously has plenty to do with opportunity, and no inside linebacker has a better chance to be in the starting lineup on kickoff weekend than the ex-Buckeye. The Rams took Laurinaitis 35th overall with an eye on replacing Chris Draft in the middle, and that's why we give him the nod over Bengals second-round middle linebacker Rey Maualuga (38th overall), who likely will have to play behind the still-productive Dhani Jones for at least a year. Rams fans are going to love Laurinaitis, who craves contact and will quickly emerge as a leader for a team desperate for some.

Mark Sanchez, Donald Brown will be impact NFL rookies in 2009 - Don Banks - SI.com

[Buckskin86]

Dennis Dillon
Rams will lean on Laurinaitis to shore up run defense
Posted: May 2, 2009

ST. LOUIS -- The identity transition is just about complete. People used to look at him and see the son of "Animal," the professional wrestler. Now they are apt to look at "Animal" and see the father of James Laurinaitis, the football player.

Laurinaitis begins another rite of passage this weekend. He's segueing from BMOC to rookie fish in the big NFL pond. And he knows he'll need to keep up a fast learning pace.

"This is the NFL. There's not time to wait for the rookies. You better catch on; otherwise, you'll be left behind," Laurinaitis, the former Ohio State linebacker, said Thursday night, on the eve of his rookie minicamp with the Rams.

The Rams selected Laurinaitis with the 35th pick in the draft because they saw a guy they think can immediately help a defense that allowed a franchise-worst 2,475 rushing yards last season.

"He's one of those guys who can come in in Week 1 and start for you if you need him to," said Blake Beddingfield, the Titans' scouting coordinator.

USC's Rey Maualuga, considered by some talent evaluators as the best inside linebacker in the draft, also was on the board when it was the Rams' turn to pick in the second round. But the Rams opted for Laurinaitis. They coveted him so much, that late in the first round they started making calls to other teams, trying to swing a deal to move up.

So how does Laurinaitis respond to skeptics who think the Rams made the wrong choice?

"I think we're two different styles of players," he said, contrasting himself with Maualuga, who was taken three picks after Laurinaitis by the Bengals. "I think Rey did some great things for USC, and I think he'll be a successful pro player.

"As for myself, the last three years I've improved in the film room. I know it's a jump from the Big Ten to the NFL, but I think when you play at Ohio State, you get to play against the best competition. And against the best competition, I've been successful.

"They're getting a guy who's going to make every right decision on and off the field. He's going to be disciplined and accountable. And he's going to make plays and be a leader for this team."

SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NFL Football stats, scores, standings, blogs and fantasy news from NFL Football columnists

[Buckskin86]

Laurinaitis Learning the Ropes
Saturday, May 2, 2009
By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer



As he prepared himself for his first NFL minicamp, second-round draft choice James Laurinaitis heard all of the questions about getting thrown into the fire immediately.

Rare is the second-round choice who has more pressure on him from the start than the player picked in the first round. But in this situation, one could make the case that the expectations for what Laurinaitis can do for the defense are at least on par with the level of impact expected of first-round tackle Jason Smith with the offense.

?This is the NFL,? Laurinaitis said. ?There?s not time to kind of wait for the rookies to catch on. You better catch on or you?ll be left behind. I think pace-wise, you better just try to learn and keep up. I think the most important thing I?m going to try to do is just compete and run around and show that I have a great work ethic and that I?m going to try 100 percent no matter what and the mental stuff will come. That?s the way it is for everyone.?

Laurinaitis is no stranger to the pressure of performing right away. At Ohio State, he got his first real playing time opportunity as a freshman when future first-round pick Bobby Carpenter suffered a broken leg on the first play from scrimmage against rival Michigan.

Thrown right into the mix against the Buckeyes? most hated opponent, Laurinaitis embraced the opportunity and never looked back during one of the most distinguished careers a linebacker has ever had at the collegiate level.

From that day on, Laurinaitis did nothing but produce for Ohio State. While he wasn?t the most athletic player at his position, few linebackers have the read and react skills of Laurinaitis.

Those instincts to read keys and waste no motion getting to the ball helped Laurinaitis become a three-time All American and one of the most accomplished players in school history.

In three seasons as a starter, Laurinaitis posted 366 tackles, nine interceptions, 24.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.

In 2006, Laurinaitis won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation?s best defensive player. In 2007, he won the Dick Butkus award as the nation?s best linebacker.

?The production ? the guy has been like this his entire career at Ohio State,? Rams general manager Billy Devaney said. ?He?s been a tackling machine.?

The official site of the St. Louis Rams - Article

[Buckskin86]

Laurinaitis seeks to become leader for St. Louis Rams
BY JIM THOMAS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
05/04/2009


Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis chases after a loose ball in a drill during the Rams' second minicamp at the Russell Training Center in Earth City, Mo. (By Chris Lee/P-D)

When the time came for the Rams to make their second-round pick in the draft, they were in an enviable position.

Granted, all the top-rated wide receivers were gone. But both of the top middle linebackers in the draft ? Ohio State's James Laurinaitis and Southern California's Rey Maualuga ? were on the board. The Rams decided to take Laurinaitis, sparking a debate and discussion among Rams fans that still is going on, and might continue for some time: Did the Rams take the right guy?

Coming off a season in which the Rams yielded a franchise record for rushing yards allowed, wasn't Maualuga the best run stuffer of the two? Wasn't Maualuga bigger and more of a collision player?

After the Senior Bowl, the Rams seemed to be smitten with Maualuga. But something changed over the next two months. There were rumors of off-field issues concerning Maualuga and with a struggling franchise trying to lay a foundation for the future, Rams management decided to make the safer and more conservative pick by selecting Laurinaitis at No. 35 overall.

Cincinnati snatched up Maualuga three picks later.

These are the types of decisions that can shape franchises and put their stamp on coaching and general manager tenures. For those reasons and more, no Rams draft pick, not even No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith at offensive tackle, will be under as much scrutiny during his rookie season as Laurinaitis.

No one is more aware of this than Laurinaitis, who makes no apologies for being picked ahead of Maualuga.

"I think we're two different style of players," Laurinaitis said. " And I'm not ever going to say anything negative about Rey. I think he's a great player. I do. I think he's done great things at USC. And I think he'll be a successful pro player."

As the 2009 season unfolds, Laurinaitis realizes Rams fans will be doing a compare-and-contrast of his play with Maualuga's. Fans and even media members might be comparing stats of the two players, but Laurinaitis won't.

"Oh no. Not at all," he said. "I think if you focus on what other people are doing, it takes your focus off what you need to be doing for your team."

Laurinaitis says he and Maualuga have become pretty good friends since spending time together at Playboy's preseason all-American team function. Last season, they'd call each other from time to time, congratulating each other on this game or that. On the first day of the draft, Maualuga even called Laurinaitis to congratulate him on being drafted.

"We're fans of each other," Laurinaitis said. "There's a little competition there when you're two middle linebackers. You're happy to be the first one off the board, but it's going to be exciting to see what we can do in the NFL. ... There's always going to be comparisons."

05/04/2009 - Laurinaitis seeks to become leader for St. Louis Rams - STLtoday.com

[OregonBuckeye]

NFL Videos: Laurinaitis at minicamp

Interview.

[Buckskin86]

05.08.2009
May 8: Cutting Pisa Tinoisamoa a Curious Move
By Bernie Miklasz

GM Billy Devaney and Steve Spagnuolo continued to put their stamp on the Rams by cutting starting outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa on Friday.

Coach Spagnuolo wants bigger backers and corners.

Tinoisamoa was more of a fit for a ?Cover 2″ scheme, where speed was more important than brawn.

Tinoisamoa was an undersized ?backer who often overran plays or took the wrong angles on pursuits. His size limitations made him vulnerable to larger blockers who came after him. And certainly the Rams? previous regime made a mistake by overpaying the injury-prone Pisa in his last contract. And PT isn?t much of a special teams player, which is a minus. Also, I should point out that with Will Witherspoon moving to the weak side, Tinoisamoa isn?t suited to play the strong side.

That said, Tinoisamoa was a productive player for what he did. When healthy he was high up the charts on tackles made. And he?s a fierce competitor. Certainly he could have played a role, even as a backup, on the 2009 Rams. The Rams will save $2 million or so in cap money, but this wasn?t really a financial-based move. And the depth at LB isn?t strong.

Chris Draft will start on the strong side, Witherspoon will start on the weak side, and rookie James Laurinaitis is set to be thrown into the middle as an immediate starter.

There isn?t a lot of talent behind those starters ? unless you are excited by Quinton Culberson, Larry Grant, Chris Chamberlain and David Vobora.

The new coaching staff is impressed with Grant, so that was probably a factor.

May 8: Cutting Pisa Tinoisamoa a Curious Move | Bernie’s 5 Minutes | STLtoday