LB James Laurinaitis (St. Louis Rams)

[Jaxbuck]

Originally Posted by WoodyWorshiper

Not quite sure about the point you're trying to make here. The statement that you "always seem him coming" to me, anyway, it what separates James from the rest. Dick Butkus didn't sneak up on many people, nor did Ray Nitschke or Mike Singletary. You ALWAYS had those guys in your face, and it's why they''d drive you back 3 yards after they hit you.

who gives a damn, its an excuse to watch that play again.

[shetuck]

Sporting News: NFL Draft Dish - Top 10 prospects for 2009

NFL Draft Dish: Top 10 prospects for 2009
Posted: May 4, 2008

9. James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State, 6-3/245. Laurinaitis will be amongst a large number of Ohio State players drafted in the first round of the '09 draft. Unlike many players who receive a ton of publicity early in their college careers, Laurinaitis actually lives up to the hype on film. Laurinaitis lacks Cushing's elite athleticism but is just as productive. Laurinaitis will start early in his NFL career.

cont'd...

[Bestbuck36]

He's already a Buckeye legend since the first play he took over for Carp against scUM. He's won numerous awards already and been nominated for just about everything he could be, except the Heisman and I even heard one announcer last season touting him for that one. It'll take some ridiculous season for another LB to keep him from the Butkus this season, and that will shore up his legendary status for sure in my eyes. If he leads this defense to another #1 ranking at the end of the year and a MNC, you can mark him down as definitely top 5 all time.

[Oneshot]

Hello, [censored]ing match split.

Anyhow, while James has brought home the hardware and the numbers, I just don't think that players fear him like they feared AJ, Gradishar, etc.

By this time in Hawk's career, there was no question that he was one of the top 5.

Love JL to death, but I'm not ready to put him quite up there.

[Rookie]

Saw him and Malcom Jenkins in the Phoenix airport on Tuesday. Looked even bigger than I last saw him fall of last year. I'm curious as to what they were doing in AZ.

[Buckeye86]

Originally Posted by Rookie

Saw him and Malcom Jenkins in the Phoenix airport on Tuesday. Looked even bigger than I last saw him fall of last year. I'm curious as to what they were doing in AZ.

Playboy All-American shoot?

[DaddyBigBucks]

Dennis Dodd has something nice to say...

LINK

Originally Posted by Dodds and Ends

Ten players who could be in the NFL right now but aren't. In other words, thanks for staying in college guys ...


1. Jim Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State -- It's more about getting a degree (Laurinaitis wants to be a broadcaster) than chasing another national championship game.

[Buckeneye]

Nice to see; but dear god, did every florida fan and their mother decide to show up and talk trash?

[CHU]

Originally Posted by Buckeneye

Nice to see; but dear god, did every florida fan and their mother decide to show up and talk trash?

Definitely every SEC fan.

[BuckTwenty]

I keep hearing how overrated Laurinaitis is from every fan in the SEC, but there's no one I'd rather have manning the middle than James. The guy mauls RBs on the run, kills QBs that can't find an open man, and there isn't a better linebacker in the nation in pass coverage. Saying he's a slow north/south linebacker couldn't be farther from the truth.

Hey LSU fans: how many tackles did he have against you guys? How many players had more tackles than James did against your time? Thats right. Zero.

[craigblitz]

Wouldn't the Florida fans want to say they were able to overcome and beat on of the best LB's at Ohio State instead of talking sh** how overrated a player might be. That should tell you the mentality of those fans.

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by craigblitz

Wouldn't the Florida fans want to say they were able to overcome and beat on of the best LB's at Ohio State instead of talking sh** how overrated a player might be. That should tell you the mentality of those fans.

[censored]ers. Puttin down the Big-10 and [censored].


It's not like SEC players are ever put down by Big-10 fans.

[OregonBuckeye]

People knock him for making too many tackles in front of the line of scrimmage instead of at or behind it but no one seems to understand how hard it is when the opposing OL is getting to that second level. If he had the '02 or '03 DL, he may have looked like the second-coming. I thought JL showed a lot of improvement from his soph year. A.J. Hawk also had some struggles his junior season playing behind a brand new DL. He went on to have a flawless senior season when the talent level and experience level improved. Something similar should happen for JL too.

[Steve19]

Originally Posted by Gatorubet

[censored]ers. Puttin down the Big-10 and [censored].


It's not like SEC players are ever put down by Big-10 fans.

My...I do believe that you are seeing the light! HE'S SAVED!

[Buckeneye]

Originally Posted by Gatorubet

It's not like SEC players are ever put down by Big-10 fans.

No where near the extent that the folkes in your neck of the woods tend to do. - and from what I've seen, its not even close.