2008 vs. 2002 Position by Position Comparison (MLB)

[ShakerBuck]

I decided to split out the LB unit because this should interesting...

2002 Wilhelm (D'andrea)
2008 Laurinaitis (Spitler)

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

Here's another one that I won't vote on until I've seen at least the Wisconsin game (the mid-season point); and probably not until november.

Laurinaitis RIGHT NOW is not quite at the level of Matt Wilhelm 2002 IMHO. But there is a chance that he could be there this year.

I have strong opinions about certain units improving enough such that the whole team can win a National Championship. But speculating on precise amounts of improvement, like the amount that it will take for JL to overtake MW, is not for me. Have fun with it if it's your thing.

To me, the important question at MLB is: Is Ohio State's MLB good enough to win an NC.

Just because it's an easy question to answer doesn't mean it isn't the most important question.

 

[matcar]

Here's another one that I won't vote on until I've seen at least the Wisconsin game (the mid-season point); and probably not until november.

Laurinaitis RIGHT NOW is not quite at the level of Matt Wilhelm 2002 IMHO. But there is a chance that he could be there this year.

I have strong opinions about certain units improving enough such that the whole team can win a National Championship. But speculating on precise amounts of improvement, like the amount that it will take for JL to overtake MW, is not for me. Have fun with it if it's your thing.

To me, the important question at MLB is: Is Ohio State's MLB good enough to win an NC.

Just because it's an easy question to answer doesn't mean it isn't the most important question.

JL is awesome, but so was Matt. I will never vote against either of them.

 

[Dryden]

We're spoiled to have had so many great LBs - forget about the program's history, - I mean JUST in the 8 years of the Jim Tressel-era. 90% of other D1 schools would be happy to claim ONE LB in their programs history of the caliber we've enjoyed in triplicate virtually every year in this decade.

Wilhelm was the next great one after Katz, and he certainly lived up to the lofty expectations that were placed on him. This is a tough choice. Wilhelm was a better run stuffer and eraser at the LOS, while Laurinaitis is spectacular in pass coverage. James has ridiculous ball skills and hands for the position.

Tough call. Flip a coin.

 

[BB73]

I'm willing to make this call in Laurinaitis's favor. He hasn't had the 2002 DL playing in front of him to free him up, but he's done enough to win a couple of national awards already.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

...He hasn't had the 2002 DL playing in front of him to free him up...

Great point

 

[PlanetFrnd]

I'm willing to make this call in Laurinaitis's favor. He hasn't had the 2002 DL playing in front of him to free him up, but he done enough to win a couple of national awards already.

Great point

If the DL improves in the way that it should year-over-year, JL could be scary

Either way, I love the Wilhelm/Grant comparison to JL/Freeman... I hope it's prophesy.

 

[BayBuck]

Laurinaitis will surely finish with one of the greatest OSU LB careers of all-time and then become a great pro player, but Wilhelm had maybe the best single season at the position that I can personally recall, great enough that this one is too close to call IMO.

 

[Ttown]

I can't decide.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Slight edge to Wilhelm because he was more intimidating and made receivers think twice about going across the middle. The only knock I have on JL is his lack of big hits.

 

[RB07OSU]

JL...he has had two outstanding seasons and is looking to have another. Wilhelm had a great senior year and I don't remember the rest. However, I loved Wilhelm and his physical play. However, I think JL makes more big plays and is intimidating as well.

 

[RugbyBuck]

I'm going to have to go with JLau, too. He's more mobile and is always around the ball. Could be a better run stopper, I guess, but with all the spread and quasi-spread offenses we see we don't need a traditional MLB. That said, I was/am a big fan of The Kaiser.

 

[Jaxbuck]

JL...he has had two outstanding seasons and is looking to have another. Wilhelm had a great senior year and I don't remember the rest. However, I loved Wilhelm and his physical play. However, I think JL makes more big plays and is intimidating as well.

MW came out of HS as a RB iirc. He looked promising as a LB his soph year(very fast) then missed the majority, if not all, his JR year to an ankle injury.

I don't follow the NFL super close but he was the starting ILB for the Chargers at one point last year. Like a lot of guys on that team, not a pro bowler but a steady, solid NFL performer.

 

[generaladm]

This is a really tough call, until you account for depth. If I'm not mistaken, D'andrea had not stepped on a college field prior to 02. Spittler has logged enough time that if JL had not returned, he would have been the logical choice for starter. Comparing MW and JL head to head, MW was more of a gap stopper, although he was athletic enough to make plays all over the field. I'm sure that he benefited from playing behind the best D-line in school history, and having a great run stopping SS behind him. JL's hits don't have quite the same pop, but he is a cagey player with a knack for making big plays. His forced fumble in the 06 Texas game was a good example of smart opportunistic MLB play. He also puts himself in great position for INTs in coverage. If I had them both on the same team, I would put MW at MLB, and JL at WLB in a second. JL has great range, and I think if we had a prototypical MLB like Wilhelm or Schlegel, he would play outside.

 

[Oh8ch]

As in all of these it is difficult to look at players in isolation. JL gets a lot of help from other LBs - more than Wilhelm received. But Wilhelm was playing behind a DL that was the strength of the 2002 team - and that made his job a lot easier.

And while I agree we are comparing these kids as far as their college capability I doubt seriously that JL will still be around in the 4th round or that it will take him 4 years to crack the starting lineup in the NFL.

2008