LB James Laurinaitis (St. Louis Rams)

[NateG]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

even if Oak wins & SF loses, the pats (via SF) still stay ahead with the tiebreaker.

Pats lose the higher of their two first round pics due to spygate still. If animal goes i believe he'll go somewhere else.

[-Laurinaitis33-]

Originally Posted by NateG

Pats lose the higher of their two first round pics due to spygate still. If animal goes i believe he'll go somewhere else.

I am pretty sure that the Pats get the higher pick because they acquired the pick from San Fran. I think that they lose their actual pick not the pick they acquired. Which means they will have to forfeit their 32nd pick overall and they get most likely a top 10 pick.

NFL Draft Countdown has New England picking James at pick number 8 in the first round. Also, notice there is not a 32nd pick overall:
NFL Draft Countdown - 2008 NFL Mock Draft

Draft King has the same exact pick with New England choosing Laurinaitis at 8 overall, but they have the 32nd pick on their and it says that New England forfeited it:
2008 NFL Mock Draft - Draft King

NFL Draft Dog has the same exact thing as the other two with Laurinaitis going 8 overall to the Pats. It also says at pick number 32, New England forfeited their pick:
2008 NFL Mock Draft

[Tlangs]

not to get off topic....but

The fact that the Patriots are 16-0 and had two first round draft picks before spygate shows that their front office is the best in the business.

[Dryden]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeCrazy107

Damn look at that like skin tattoo thing on Malcolm's arm!

I believe the term is Que, or "Que dog."

You don't half-ass your way into Omega Psi Phi.

[PatsDynasty]

Originally Posted by -Laurinaitis33-

I am pretty sure that the Pats get the higher pick because they acquired the pick from San Fran. I think that they lose their actual pick not the pick they acquired. Which means they will have to forfeit their 32nd pick overall and they get most likely a top 10 pick.

NFL Draft Countdown has New England picking James at pick number 8 in the first round. Also, notice there is not a 32nd pick overall:
NFL Draft Countdown - 2008 NFL Mock Draft

Draft King has the same exact pick with New England choosing Laurinaitis at 8 overall, but they have the 32nd pick on their and it says that New England forfeited it:
2008 NFL Mock Draft - Draft King

NFL Draft Dog has the same exact thing as the other two with Laurinaitis going 8 overall to the Pats. It also says at pick number 32, New England forfeited their pick:
2008 NFL Mock Draft

Yeah we only lose OUR 1st round pick (or 2nd and 3rd had we not made the playoffs) not the one we got from the 49ers. We got the 49ers 1st and 4th (which we traded for Randy Moss) in a trade for our 2nd 1st round pick last year (we got that one from Seattle for Deon Branch). Its just funny how Pioli and Belichick abuse other teams in the draft, they should be charged with larceny, conspiracy and rape charges. Now we are sitting here 16-0 with the 7th over all pick....................................I am still [censored]ed we don't have that other 1st rounder. So any news on James?

[-Laurinaitis33-]

Originally Posted by PatsDynasty

Yeah we only lose OUR 1st round pick (or 2nd and 3rd had we not made the playoffs) not the one we got from the 49ers. We got the 49ers 1st and 4th (which we traded for Randy Moss) in a trade for our 2nd 1st round pick last year (we got that one from Seattle for Deon Branch). Its just funny how Pioli and Belichick abuse other teams in the draft, they should be charged with larceny, conspiracy and rape charges. Now we are sitting here 16-0 with the 7th over all pick....................................I am still [censored]ed we don't have that other 1st rounder. So any news on James?

At earliest, the latest news will be on January 7th after the National Title game. But, you will find out shortly after the title game if anything.

[Buckskin86]

The big game, the big decision for Ohio State sta

James Laurinaitis is playing for another national title, but then he faces a tougher task, deciding whether to enter the NFL draft.

By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune
Last update: January 5, 2008

James Laurinaitis was walking through the Houston airport en route to a college football national awards banquet last month when an LSU fan recognized him and started some friendly trash-talking by saying Ohio State didn't deserve to play his team for the national championship.

"We've heard it before," Laurinaitis said later. "It wasn't the first time."

Laurinaitis said he refused to let that looming decision become a distraction, either personally or for his team.

"That's a big decision, and it's something you have to talk over with your family after the season," he said. "All I'm focused on is this game and trying to win a national championship."

A number of mock drafts predict Laurinaitis will be a top-10 pick if he comes out. Laurinaitis recently submitted his name to the NFL's advisory committee to evaluate where he might get drafted, which is standard practice for players considering turning pro.

Laurinaitis' parents, Joe and Julie, receive mail from agents almost daily, but they have gone out of their way to avoid the subject with their son.

"We try to not talk about it," Julie said. "It's a lot of pressure on him because he really wants to stay. He really loves his teammates and school. That's hard. I know in his heart he would like to stay."

The financial reward of being a high draft pick is alluring, however, especially considering the potential injury risk if he returns to Ohio State.

"We're realistic just like everybody else," Joe said. "[Some draft experts] have him going anywhere from 2 to 5. I have to advise him to do what's right for him."

The big game, the big decision for Ohio State star

[NateG]

Originally Posted by Buckskin86

The big game, the big decision for Ohio State star

One of my friend's sister in law is good friends with James and just before they left to go to New Orleans he called her and during their conversation he told her that he would be coming back to play his senior season. So sorry Pats fans maybe next year.

[ashlandbuck]

Originally Posted by NateG

One of my friend's sister in law is good friends with James and just before they left to go to New Orleans he called her and during their conversation he told her that he would be coming back to play his senior season. So sorry Pats fans maybe next year.

Well, my brother's barber's father's neighbor knows someone who knows someone that knows Laurinaitis and he said........

I'm just busting your chops Nate.

I do find this hard to believe. I have checked out a half dozen mock draft sites and every single one has him going to the Pats with the #4 pick. One site even claimed that BB loves Laurinaitis.
If JL has a good idea that he is actually going to go to the Pats with the #4 overall pick, wouldn't that be too difficult to walk away from?

[NateG]

Originally Posted by ashlandbuck

Well, my brother's barber's father's neighbor knows someone who knows someone that knows Laurinaitis and he said........

I'm just busting your chops Nate.

I do find this hard to believe. I have checked out a half dozen mock draft sites and every single one has him going to the Pats with the #4 pick. One site even claimed that BB loves Laurinaitis.
If JL has a good idea that he is actually going to go to the Pats with the #4 overall pick, wouldn't that be too difficult to walk away from?

I know this girl as well and she has no reason to make this up(she knows he has 3 quarters left). And unless the mocks youve looked at have trade expectations on them, the pattycakes pic 7th so he wouldnt get drafted by them til then. Plus he is great friends with Hawk(who stayed) and the word is that Hawk has told him to stay. But good luck to him in either position because with or without him the bucks have a great shot to get to the title game again.

[-Laurinaitis33-]

Originally Posted by NateG

One of my friend's sister in law is good friends with James and just before they left to go to New Orleans he called her and during their conversation he told her that he would be coming back to play his senior season. So sorry Pats fans maybe next year.

That is great news, but still he could always change his mind with an almost guaranteed top 10 pick. I believe what you are saying is true, but I am really not going to believe that he is staying for sure until I actually hear him say it. After all, he did say that he wants to talk it over with his family. But, I am pretty sure he is coming back, there are just a few things that make it seem like he will. But, that is still good news to hear that he wants to come back. Lets just hope he sticks with what he wants, either way it will be the the right choice for him.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Link

LAURINAITIS: BUCKEYES' QB ON 'D'

By LENN ROBBINS

January 6, 2008 -- NEW ORLEANS - LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is the big cat Ohio State must block if the Buckeyes are to win the BCS Championship game tomorrow night.
And Ohio State James Lauriniatis is the smart and sleek linebacker who must decipher LSU's explosive attack that allowed the Tigers to score 40 or more points seven times this season. "When you attack a linebacker, sometimes he freezes up," LSU guard Will Arnold told The Post. "[Laurinaitis is] good at slipping out of it, getting under lineman. His quickness and ability to read plays are his strengths."

Continued.....

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

OSU defense: Laurinaitis shows there's always room to grow


By Doug Harris
Staff Writer

Sunday, January 06, 2008

COLUMBUS ? Ohio State coach Jim Tressel wondered as he watched James Laurinaitis last spring whether the linebacker's career was reaching a plateau.
Although he produced an All-American season as a sophomore, Laurinaitis had bulked up a little too much in the offseason and was looking ordinary during March drills.
"I thought his spring was average for where I wanted him to be moving," Tressel said. "Then I thought his preseason really just took an upward trend in everything: his knowledge, his ability to get everyone else in the right place, his leadership.
"I really thought he had the preseason that catapulted him into giving us a chance to have some good leadership on a young group. I thought he improved all the way."

Continued......

[Buckskin86]

The Animal lair
At the home of OSU star James Laurinaitis, dad's high-risk wrestling careerwas just one story line for a passionate family that lives life at full speed
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter

New Orleans -- He wanted nothing more than to be like his dad, so 6-year-old James slept in the in the red and black wrestling tights every night.

On the road for 250 to 300 nights a year, wearing those same red and black tights, pulling on the spiked shoulder pads and applying the face paint that disguised who he really was, Road Warrior Animal couldn't talk to his co-workers about his children back in Minnesota, his oldest son Joey; his baby, daughter Jessica; or little James in those tights.

Real life wasn't welcome in the world of professional wrestling.

"It was taboo for guys to talk about their home life," Joe Laurinaitis said. "You just didn't do it."

So the two lives remained as separate as possible -- for everyone except James, who performed wrestling flips with his friends from a 9-foot loft above the living room onto a mattress below.

"When I came home off the road from wrestling, I was Joe Laurinaitis, I wasn't Animal," said his father. "I left Animal at the airport."

cleveland.com: Everything Cleveland

[Buckskin86]

Home / Sports Bob Ryan
Ohio State linebacker grapples with chances and choices
By Bob Ryan
Globe Columnist / January 6, 2008
NEW ORLEANS - There was little chance of little Jimmy Laurinaitis ever becoming a concert pianist.

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Dad Joe was a professional wrestler known as "Animal." Mom Julie was a bodybuilder who frequently complained she was not "cut" enough. You kinda see where this is going.

The Laurinaitis family was all about physicality. This wasn't an artsy-craftsy family. Some things just are what they are, to paraphrase a certain football coach of our acquaintance.

So little Jimmy grew up to be a linebacker, and not just any ol' linebacker, but a linebacker at a school that knows something about linebacking. He grew to be 6 feet 3 inches and 240 pounds, and he has proven to be so adept at diagnosing plays and tackling people that he is the latest recipient of the Butkus Award, signifying that he is the best collegiate linebacker in the land.

Ohio State linebacker grapples with chances and choices - The Boston Globe