LB James Laurinaitis (St. Louis Rams)

[MililaniBuckeye]

This has been talked about in his official thread...

[Buckeyedynasty]

It wouldn't surprise me only because in this day and age hardly anyone sticks around for 4 years anymore. I hope he does come back though.

[BuckeyeMike80]

Why is this even a worry right now? There is a long season ahead where quite a bit can and probably will happen.

College football is a pretty transient sport in the first place.

[Oh8ch]

This has been talked about in his official thread...

I did a merge!!!

First time without hosing things up.

[Tresselbeliever]

That was just an off-handed comment by Sweat. Hardly based on any real merit, considering that Laurinaitis is probably not sharing his life plans with a kid who hasn't stepped on campus.

That being said, Laurinaitis is one of those great players that should stay. Great instincts for the game. Not as physically talented as Hawk or some of the others. Four years of college should prep him better for the next level.

[bucknut11]

It wouldn't surprise me only because in this day and age hardly anyone sticks around for 4 years anymore.

Define "hardly anyone." OSU has 39 4th or 5th year guys on the roster this year.

[jwinslow]

Originally Posted by bucknut11

Define "hardly anyone." OSU has 39 4th or 5th year guys on the roster this year.

Not sure that those individuals were projected as first day picks, though.

[Oh8ch]

efine "hardly anyone." OSU has 39 4th or 5th year guys on the roster this year.

I count 20 who are on scholarship.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

Not sure that those individuals were projected as first day picks, though.

Then Buckeyedynasty should have said, "hardly any projected first-day picks stick around for 4 years anymore."

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Bucknuts.com$

Video Interview.....

[BB73]

official.site

James Laurinaitis, junior linebacker

On Youngstown State
"They are a talented team. They have a great QB, great talent and athleticism at tight end. Watching the film you see they give a lot of different looks. Each game they have something new."

On being named a captain as a junior
"It's a tremendous honor. When you?re recruited you hear about the tradition of the Captain's Breakfast. Truthfully, I was a little choked up when Coach Tressel announced it. I'll do my best to represent the University."

On his preseason awards
"You have to do the same things - you can't change a lot. You?ve got to keep the same habits and work ethic that got you to this point."

On the incoming freshmen
"They are very talented and athletic. People are going to be pleasantly surprised to see how far along they are."

On getting over the loss to Florida
"You have to forget about it. This is a new season and a new team. I'm excited for us to get a fresh start and see how we step up and grow as the season goes on."

Cont'd ...

[Buckskin86]

OSU's born leader: Laurinaitis so impressed teammates, they voted him the first junior captain in Tressel era
Thursday, August 30, 2007 3:42 AM
By Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Being named a major award winner in his sophomore football season can change a man. So can seeing his face on the covers of major preseason magazines, being named a Playboy All-American, the preseason Big Ten defensive player of the year and being elected captain of his team as a junior.

But what's different about Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis is that none of that seems to make much of a dent in his demeanor.

In fact, "I think he became more humble," junior cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. "Usually when people get a lot of hype, their egos blow up. But last year I think he handled it pretty well, and he began to get hungry, and he stayed humble through the whole process and became more of a leader. His confidence went up, as well."

It's why his teammates stuffed the ballot box with Laurinaitis votes last week, making him the first junior captain in the seven-year Jim Tressel era. There will be another defensive captain named from week to week, but Laurinaitis will be the constant.

It was offensive coordinator Jim Bollman who best told Laurinaitis what that means.

"He shook my hand, said congratulations," Laurinaitis said, "and then he said, 'The way you've been acting is what got you to be captain, so don't change. You don't have to change anything when you get the title. You got the title because of the way you were.'

"And I am perfectly ready for it. I am ready to accept that challenge of leading the crew."

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU's born leader: Laurinaitis so impressed teammates, they voted him the first junior captain in Tressel era

[ochre]

Originally Posted by Buckskin86

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU's born leader: Laurinaitis so impressed teammates, they voted him the first junior captain in Tressel era

Taking on soccer too? I guess he'd be the presence at forward they are missing...

[Buckskin86]

Ohio State preview: Animal's house
Laurinaitis grows into role as OSU's defensive star
By JOSH HACHAT
NNCO

COLUMBUS -- James Laurinaitis is thankful for the bevy of awards and honors that came his way last season, including being named an All-American and winning the Nagurski Award.

But as far as the Ohio State junior is concerned, the only attention they will draw this year is from the dust in his closet.

"You can have all these accolades and whatever, but if you don't perform well and work to get better, then it's not going to matter in the end," Laurinaitis said.

Central Ohio - www.centralohio.com - Central Ohio, OH

[OregonBuckeye]

I didn't notice James had on a different facemask today. I wonder what the reasoning is.



EDIT- But then he has his regular one on during the game.