LB Coach James Laurinaitis (2x B1G DPOY, 2006 Nagurski, 2007 Butkus, 2008 Lott, 3x All-American, OSU HOF)

[WolverineMike]

3 game winning streak and the Rams were actually mentioned as being in the playoff hunt at 6-6-1. . 3 games to go vs TB, Seattle, and Minnesota though. Tough 3 games

 

[Buckskin86]

Hartman: Laurinaitis stands out among Wayzata LBs
Article by: SID HARTMAN , Star Tribune
Updated: December 12, 2012

The middle linebacker of the Rams, who will face the Vikings on Sunday, was a star at Ohio State as well.

Wayzata football coach Brad Anderson, who has led the Trojans to three large-school state titles since 2005, has a reputation of developing great linebackers who go on to national recognition in college. One of them is former Ohio State star and Rams standout James Laurinaitis, who the Vikings offense will have a hard time blocking Sunday when they face the Rams in St. Louis.

A.J. Tarpley, who had five tackles, an interception and a pass breakup in Stanford's 17-14 overtime victory over No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 17, and Chris Wipson, who has committed to the Gophers, are two other well-known linebackers who learned under Anderson.

And Anderson praised Grant Olson, who set a North Dakota State school record with 29 tackles last Saturday in their 14-7 victory over Wofford in an FCS quarterfinal game in Fargo, N.D. Olson played on the same Wayzata team with Tarpley that won the 2008 Class 5A championship.

Asked if he had any idea Laurinaitis would develop into one of the NFL's best linebackers, Anderson replied: "Well, you never know. James Laurinaitis we knew was a great player, [but] you never know if they're going to make it all the way to the pros. I knew he was pretty special. I knew A.J. Tarpley and Grant Olson were pretty special. You can tell when kids really stand out, that's for sure."

Anderson has high praise for Wipson, who has committed to the Gophers but unfortunately missed most of the past season after injuring his knee. But Laurinaitis might be the best linebacker developed in Minnesota in a long, long time.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/183263842.html?refer=y

 

[Buckskin86]

Laurinaitis: "We had a good beat on (Bucs)" before game

The fact the Bucs offense has struggled lately is no secret.

But Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis insinuated after Sunday's game they are also a little more predictable than other teams, and St. Louis took advantage in a 28-13 win at Raymond James Stadium.

"We just felt like coaches do a phenomenal job of getting us prepared," Laurinaitis said. "We felt like we had a good beat on these guys going into the game, and what they were trying to do. They had some tells. So we've got to credit the coaches and credit the guys for studying hard."

Laurinaitis took advantage of one of those "tells" in his second quarter interception of Josh Freeman, one of four turnovers by the Bucs quarterback.

With the Bucs down just 7-6 and driving near midfield, they ran a playaction pass play, with Laurinitis - at least initially - biting on the fake handoff. But Laurinaitis was able to quickly recover and step in front of Freeman pass intended for WR Vincent Jackson.

"I thought it was a run, they had a tendency to run a weak lead on that," Laurinaitis said. "I saw Freeman pull the ball. I knew in playaction, they like to do some individual routes to give the wide receiver the opportunity with corners high on them, just do a deep comeback (route). I turned around and saw Vincent Jackson, so I just tried to get underneath him and turned around, hopefully he throws it to you. When he throws it right to you, you've got to catch it."

Freeman said he saw Laurinaitis bite on the hard-sell playaction fake. "Most linebackers start bailing and running to a spot, they don't get their eyes around. But right as I threw it, he popped his eyes around and made a good play. In hindsight, I should have come off that."

As for what "tells" the Bucs gave, Laurinaitis said some of it involved personnel.

"There are a lot of tells you can get from teams week to week, this team a little more so," Laurinaitis said. "So you just know when certain guys are in the game, you think more run. If other guys, think more pass. And they broke some tells. That always happens, teams self-scout, they do tendency breakers. But when they come back to the core of who they are, they go back to those tendencies."

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/content/laurinaitis-we-had-good-beat-bucs-game

 

[Buckskin86]

Rams' MVPs 2012: LB James Laurinaitis leads the way
By Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com
January 1, 2013

LB James Laurinaitis led the Rams with 142 tackles and also had two interceptions. (US Presswire)

Defense -- MLB James Laurinaitis : He was the only NFL player to play every defensive snap this season. The fourth-year Ohio State product led the Rams with 142 tackles, 117 solo, and made two interceptions. He anchored a much-improved defense that ranked 15th in points allowed (21.8). Laurinaitis edged CB Cortland Finnegan and DE Chris Long for the award.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/n...-mvps-2012-lb-james-laurinaitis-leads-the-way

 

[Buckskin86]

Is James Laurinaitis Satisfied?- video interview

 

[Buckskin86]

Draft rewind: Rams' five-year recap
February, 20, 2013
By Mike Sando | ESPN.com

A look at the NFC West's best and worst from the past five NFL drafts, one team at a time.

St. Louis Rams

Best choice: James Laurinaitis, LB, 2009 second round. Chris Long provided the only serious competition for Laurinaitis, although that could change if 2012 fourth-rounder Chris Givens picks up where he left off following an impressive rookie season. A certain quarterback drafted first overall in 2010 might also factor into this discussion down the road. I went with Laurinaitis over Long because he was drafted 35th overall in his class, 33 spots later than where the Rams found Long one year prior. Laurinaitis has never missed a game in four seasons. He has seven interceptions. Conventional wisdom questioned the Rams' decision to draft Laurinaitis over USC linebacker Rey Maualuga. Laurinaitis has been the better player.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/91877/draft-rewind-rams-five-year-recap

 

[fanaticbuckeye]

Saw this pic on twitter today...

 

[Buckskin86]

B/R NFL 1000 2013: Top 60 Inside Linebackers
ByMatt Miller
(NFL Draft Lead Writer) on April 5, 2013

10. James Laurinaitis, St. Louis Rams

Joe Robbins/Getty Images


Run Defense
25/30

A true "Mike" linebacker, James Laurinaitis is an expert against the run. He?s strong enough to shed blockers and use his bulk to keep offensive linemen from pushing him upfield. He doesn?t show elite speed to track the ball on outside plays, but teams won?t find space against the St. Louis linebacker between the tackles. Our team loved his tough style of play in Jeff Fisher?s defense.
Pass Rush
5/10

In the 4-3 defense, it?s rare to see Laurinaitis make plays as a pass-rusher. He?ll put some pressure on the pocket as a delayed blitzer, but he rarely gets home to sack the quarterback.
Coverage
15/20

Earlier in his career, Laurinaitis didn?t look like a coverage linebacker due to stiff hips and slower feet, but that started to change in 2012. He showed better quickness and anticipation in the Rams? new defensive scheme, which allowed him to be more impactful as a cover man. Laurinaitis isn?t a top-level coverage linebacker, but he?s no longer a liability.
Tackle
33/40

A sure-tackler with hard hits and good technique when coming up to put a play on the ball, Laurinaitis does a good job breaking down in space. He can get heavy-footed at times and allow runners to shake him. You don?t see him make contact and lose the tackle, though.
Overall
78/100

More of a two-down linebacker, Laurinaitis bucked some of the doubts in his game in 2012, showing a more well-rounded approach.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1444357-br-nfl-1000-2013-top-60-inside-linebackers/page/44

at practice yesterday....

 

[NFBuck]

 

[Buckskin86]

St. Louis Rams? LB James Laurinaitis: On The Cusp?
By Brandon Bate on Jun 29 2013

What do London Fletcher, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Daryl Washington, and James Laurinaitis all have in common? Quite a bit actually...

For starters, they?re all middle/interior linebackers in the NFC. Fletcher, entering his 16th years as a pro, was with the Rams during the Greatest Show on Turf days, and obtained his lone Super Bowl [XXXIV] ring in 1999-2000 season. Willis, Bowman, Washington, and Laurinaitis don?t have the hardware, but their dynamic skill sets - paired with their leadership qualities - make their presence on the field no less imperative.

Another commonality amongst the group [at least the majority of it] is that the aforementioned leadership abilities haven?t gone unnoticed. Fletcher, Willis, and Laurinaitis all captained their team?s defensive units in 2012. Laurinaitis was asked to serve a leadership role in just his sophomore year in the NFL [2010]. He hasn?t let the Rams down. What he?s done on the field often goes unmentioned, but as a result of his work ethic, football intelligence, and consistent play, his role as captain has never been in question.

One final parallel I?ll draw amongst this group of LB?s comes in the form of statistic. Each of these middle/inside linebackers is notorious for their ability end the play when they make contact. To some, "tackles" is viewed as an overrated stat line, while "missed tackles" initiates campaign for one's prompt departure. This group has nothing to worry about. They?re some of the NFL?s best?

cont...

http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2013/6...mes-laurinaitis-patrick-willis-navorro-bowmam

 

[Buckskin86]

Rams' Laurinaitis: 'Different excitement in the air'
by FootballStl staff
KMOV.com
Posted on July 25, 2013

Entering his fifth year in the NFL, Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis has played on his fair share of bad teams.

Winning just 10 games over his first three seasons, Lauranaitis has renewed hope entering this year?s training camp after a 7-8-1 2012 campaign.

?As you get older you start to get the feel of it and the hang of what?s it?s all about, but there?s a different excitement in the air with our team and the fans and the city and I think you can totally notice that out here today," he said.

Lauranaitis said the excitement wasn?t just limited to the locker room, but has spread to the fan base.

?Too see that many people here, by far the biggest crowd since I?ve been a part of this organization,? he said. ?Seeing the cheers whenever there was a deep ball caught or whenever a pass was broken up, they were engaged. It was a good day and I think that?ll carry over to the offseason.?

When asked about the Rams? much-publicized offensive upgrades, the Ohio State grad was quick to point out he could see a difference.

?It?s gotten a lot tougher to stop our offense and I think that?s a great thing. You can see the confidence in Sam and you can see the explosion with Tayvon Austin and Bailey?It?s really a whole different offense.?

http://www.kmov.com/sports/Rams-Lau-217039631.html

 

[Buckskin86]

College Football's Top 50 Linebackers of the BCS Era
By Braden Gall, 7/26/13

2. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
Few players in the nation are as decorated, productive, talented and successful as the Minneapolis native. Laurinaitis won the Butkus, Nagurski, two Lambert Awards and two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards while being a three-time All-American. He posted three straight seasons of at least 115 tackles and helped Ohio State win a share of four Big Ten titles, including two trips to the BCS National Championship game. The Buckeyes tackler was taken in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

- See more at: http://athlonsports.com/college-foo...p-50-linebackers-bcs-era#sthash.gQxlcCJ1.dpuf

 

[Buckskin86]

James Laurinaitis: ?I Think The Rams Are Ready To Make The Playoffs? (audio interview)
August 21, 2013

Here?s a shocking tidbit from last season: The St. Louis Rams ? and not the San Francisco 49ers or Seattle Seahawks ? finished with the best divisional record in the NFC West. The Rams went 4-1-1, while the 49ers went 3-2-1 and the Seahawks went 3-3.

Unfortunately for St. Louis, it went just 3-7 outside of the division ? including losses to the Dolphins and Jets ? and finished 7-8-1. San Francisco and Seattle, meanwhile, both won 11 games and made the playoffs.

?If we win those games that we should have won, in my opinion, we?re in the playoffs,? Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis said on The Morning Show. ?We?ve got to figure out how do we improve on those things to where we win those games and also continue the success we?ve had in the division??

Better run defense, especially in a division with Frank Gore and Marshawn Lynch, would be a good start. St. Louis finished 15th in rush defense last season, allowed 117.5 yards per game on the ground. The Rams did lead the league in sacks ? impressive given that they trailed in a lot of games and teams weren?t throwing as much against them ? but they also finished minus-1 in turnover differential.

?You can?t do that; you have to win the turnover margin,? Laurinaitis said. ?If you?re going to be a defense that wins games, you?ve got to take the ball away from the offense.?

Laurinaitis believes the defense can do that this season. He also believes the Rams can take the next step and make the playoffs.

?I think we are (ready),? he said. ?I truly believe that we are. But we?re so young. We?ve got to continue to reiterate to these young players that we?ve got to keep the sense of urgency up.?

cont..

http://tbd.radio.cbssports.com/2013...hink-the-rams-are-ready-to-make-the-playoffs/

 

[Buckskin86]

#NFLRank: No. 57 James Laurinaitis
August, 23, 2013
By Nick Wagoner | ESPN.com

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- It took four days before any Rams appeared on our #NFLRank project, which lists the top 100 NFL players on each side of the ball. This morning, the Rams added a third in a two-day span when linebacker James Laurinaitis made the cut.

Laurinaitis is No. 57 on the list of the league?s best defensive players according to the newest reveal, which shows players ranked No. 60 through 51.

On Thursday, offensive tackle Jake Long checked in at No. 61 on offense and cornerback Cortland Finnegan landed at No. 63 on defense.

Defense, No. 57 Laurinaitis

Stats & Info: Laurinaitis has 222 solo tackles over the past two seasons, most of any player in the league. Only 15 players even had 222 total tackles (including assists).

My take: Laurinaitis was a day-one starter for the Rams and has become the team?s best at that position since London Fletcher departed way back in 2002. Although he may not be as flashy as some of the other high-profile middle linebackers in the league, Laurinaitis is the focal point of an emerging Rams defense and should only continue to improve as young defenders around him get better.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/107418/nflrank-no-57-james-laurinaitis

 

[Buckskin86]

Community Player of the Week: James Laurinaitis
By StLouisRams.com

By Mary Beard
Special to Stlouisrams.com

The St. Louis Rams Community Player of the Week is linebacker James Laurinaitis.

Football fans in St. Louis know James Laurinaitis’ name because of his strength and abilities on the turf. But many people in the area also know him from his charitable efforts in the community. Both during the season and offseason, he gives his time and talents to causes ranging from providing clean drinking water to communities around the world to assisting children and women in need, making him a major player in and out of uniform.

One organization that James continues to hold a special connection to is the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For the fourth year in a row, he served as the host for the Rams’ annual Celebrity Night of Wishes. The evening included a dinner, live auction and a tip collecting contest. James and many of his teammates worked their way through the crowd competing against each other for the highest tip totals by signing autographs and posing for pictures. From that night alone, the Missouri chapter of Make-A-Wish, with James leading the way, was able to raise enough money to fund 56 wishes for local children battling life-threatening diseases.

Throughout the season, James donates 20 tickets to K-Life each home game so that local children have the opportunity to experience an NFL game at the Edward Jones Dome. James is also active with Living Water International, a Christian non-profit dedicated to helping communities around the globe acquire desperately needed clean water. As part of his support, he has traveled to El Salvador to witness first-hand one of Living Waters’ projects and is now focusing on a “Play Well” campaign with the intention of providing clean water to kids throughout the world so they can play well.

James has also found ways to stay active in the community, quite literally, by participating in and creating charitable events that allow his fellow teammates and him to show off their athletic abilities outside of the Edward Jones Dome.

cont...

http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and...rinaitis/e3ee4375-c674-46df-b23c-6fa76875c2bf