LB James Laurinaitis (St. Louis Rams)

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

wow, this was a surprise!

Congrats, James!

[jlb1705]

Originally Posted by nickofthewoods

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank....ckles&site=org

No disrespect intended, but these numbers suggest other candidates
may be more deserving. J Leman was pretty impressive against the
Buckeyes. Given the tackling during the Michigan game, I am fearful
that accollades will mask concerns that still need to be addressed.

If it were all about numbers, Texas Tech and Hawaii QBs would win every Heisman trophy, and xrayrandy would probably sponsor all the awards.

[Dryden]

J Leman didn't record 15 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and an interception in that Texas heat!

[DaytonBuck]

Originally Posted by jlb1705

If it were all about numbers, Texas Tech and Hawaii QBs would win every Heisman trophy, and xrayrandy would probably sponsor all the awards.

I'm pretty sure the actual award would be a tinfoil hat

Congrats to James

[Taosman]

Signs (2002) - Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin, Mel Gibson

[BGriffBuckeye]

What a stud James is. Congrats on the award!!

[crazybuckfan40]

Congrats to James...

I think it is well deserved for all the big plays he made this year...

[MililaniBuckeye]

Laurinaitis also plays on a defense loaded with other talent that also gets to the ball to make tackles...Leman doesn't.

[TRON]

Originally Posted by CleveBucks

Way to go Animal.

Another late offer to a lowly three-star recruit. We'll be saying the same when Malcolm wins the Thorpe next year.

Lowly?

I thought he was Minnesota's Mr. Football.

[scooter1369]

Lil Animal raking in the hardware already.

2008 Draft is calling him.

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by TRON

Lowly?

I thought he was Minnesota's Mr. Football.

Minnesota doesn't exactly have great high school football.

[msj2487]

No disrespect intended, but these numbers suggest other candidates
may be more deserving. J Leman was pretty impressive against the
Buckeyes. Given the tackling during the Michigan game, I am fearful
that accollades will mask concerns that still need to be addressed.

Building off what jlb said:

If it were all about numbers, Texas Tech and Hawaii QBs would win every Heisman trophy

Total tackles or tackles per game is one of many stats lines to consider when picking the best defensive player, or best player for any position, offensive or defensive for that matter. The fact is that Laurinaitis made plays, he recorded sacks, turnovers, made tackles, and was a huge lift and cornerstone for our pre-season(ly) coined susceptible defense because we had so many holes to fill. Another thing to look at is schedules. Texas Tech/Hawaii quarterbacks don't always play the best defensive teams and Illinois' Lehman certainly got away with that in comparison to Laurinaitis in terms of playing good offensive teams. Laurinaitis was in two 1 vs. 2 matchups (Texas/Michigan), Illinois didn't play either team.

Not to rehash old battles, but this argument couldn't be better examined than with last years' Butkus award. Numbers wise Hawk way out preformed Posluszny:

Hawk (12 games/806 plays)
------------------------------------
121 total tackles (69 solo/52 assisted)
16.5 tackles for a loss for 85 yards
9.5 sacks for 72 yards
1 Int
2 Fumbles Recovered (1 TD)
2 Fumbles Forced

Posluszny (12 games/909 plays)
------------------------------------
116 total tackles (64 solo/52 assisted)
11 tackles for a loss for 38 yards
3 sacks for 21 yards
0 Ints
0 Fumbles Recovered
0 Fumbles Forced

Maybe the voters can some what reconcile for their unavoidable and atrocious mistake of 2005's Butkus, by also awarding Laurinaitis with the Butkus this year.

Regardless, though, congratulations to James!! An exceptional preformance this year by a young linebacker who has matured exceptionally well, and is certainly on his way to etching himself in the halls of the many great buckeye linebackers! I remember many believing he underpreformed as a freshman, and were doubting his future, as he was thrown into big play games (Michigan/Notre Dame) and recorded something like 3 tackles. No matter now as he is the proud winner of the 2006 Bronko Nagurski Trophy! The best defensive player in the country!

[Oneshot]

That is some SERIOUSLY impressive company.

[Buck88]

I expected this kid to be good but he's been outstanding. Congrats, L'il Animal.

[PrincetonBuckeye]

Congrats Lil' Animal!!!!


What class this kid has....He didn't even except his award...He left early to catch a flight back to Columbus because he has a final tommorrow!!! And they say OSU kids don't care about school....I love that JT makes these kids go to school!!!!!

Good luck on your final James!