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

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JL interview at Pro Day...

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Pro day: The "real" times
OK, we've got a pretty good handle on the 40 times from pro day today. The times I'm going to list here are a range, where most of the 29 teams had the players....it doesn't mean some teams didn't have a guy a few ticks faster (or slower), but these are the best, most reliable ranges we can give you:

JAMES LAURINAITIS: 4.72 to 4.78. He said he heard as low as 4.68, and that's probably true, but the range is a more complete picture. It's a tad better than the 4.8 he did at Indy.
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http://blog.dispatch.com/buckeyesblog/2009/03/pro_day_the_real_times.shtml
 
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Chat with James Laurinaitis


Laurinaitis is the No. 2 ILB in the draft.Welcome to The Show! On Thursday, NFL prospect and former Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis will stop by to chat about the NFL draft, his experience at the NFL combine and his time with the Buckeyes.
Laurinaitis led Ohio State with 130 tackles, including a team high 52 solos, during the 2008 season. He also had four sacks (second on the team) and two INTs.

According to Laurinaitis' Scouts Inc.'s draft profile, he "shows a strong grasp of blocking schemes and beats offensive linemen to the point of attack. Keeps head up and locates the ball quickly. Reads quarterbacks eyes when drops into zone coverage and does an above-average job of timing breaks on the ball for an inside linebacker."

Send in your questions now, then join Laurinaitis on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET!

Check out what other prospects have said in chat!

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2009 NFL Draft index | Previous chat guests | SportsNation Index

James Laurinaitis: Hey, what's going on?

Mark (Defiance, OH): At your Pro day, in what individual drill did you do better in than you thought, and vice versa

James Laurinaitis: I did better in the three-cone than maybe I thought I would. I say that because when I did it at the combine, it was a 6.93--I had hit a 6.70 at pro day, so I was surprised and happy with the result.


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Roy Ortiz (San Antonio, TX): How's it going James? Of all the great Linebackers that have come out of Ohio State, who has had the most influence on you and why?

James Laurinaitis: I would say A.J. Hawk. I had the chance to deal with him every day. If you want to talk about some of the older players, Chris Spielman has been around and has been an influence on me. The cool thing about OSU is that all the older players want to see the young players succeed.


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Mark (Defiance, OH): What are you most proud of from your time as a Buckeye? Being the only class to beat Michigan 4 times, or getting to 2 straight National Championships?

James Laurinaitis: I'd say being the only class to beat Michigan that many times--you can't plan that, you just have to be in the right place at the right time. That's something I'm definitely proud of.


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Justin (Wilmington, MA): James I wish you the best of luck. What do you think of the NFL going to perhaps 17 or 18 games?

James Laurinaitis: Thank you for the wishes. It just makes the league competitive for two more weeks. The NFL is watched week-in and week-out, which is one thing it has over other sports. The viewership will be increased. It's a long season but it's part of what you're paid for. It's interesting but could be good for the league.


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Brandon (Ohio): Are you gonna be at the Main Event next year?


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John (Westerville, Ohio): JL Thanks for being such a great ambassador for Ohio State. I have an important question. Will you say "Theee" before Ohio State in your NFL TV player introduction?

James Laurinaitis: Definitely! That's something I think that, when you come here, you wait to say it until you're done at Ohio State. You don't say it while you're there, but once you get out, you're proud to be able to say it. I'll definitely say it before introductions.
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ESPN: Chat with James Laurinaitis - SportsNation
 
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Schein's Nine: Bold takes on draft prospectsby Adam Schein
Updated: March 27, 2009

For this week's Schein's Nine, we provide you nine strong draft-day takes based on conversations with players and executives around the league ? BOLD TAKES (hence the bold font, get it? clever, I know) on guys who should be plucked earlier than some draftniks would have you believe.
1. James Laurinaitis is going to be a great player.

Stop it already. Forget the stereotype of Bobby Carpenter, Andy Katzenmoyer and Vernon Gholston. We finally have an Ohio State linebacker who can play.

There are some people who believe Laurinaitis is falling out of the first round.

What is this, amateur hour?

Laurinaitis is a great player with a high motor. He is a three-time all-American. Laurinaitis has the perfect body, intelligence and athleticism to play inside linebacker at the NFL level. He fits the exact vision of what Falcons owner Arthur Blank looks for in a ballplayer, with incredible character, practice habits, gameday results and being team-oriented.

While it wouldn't surprise me to see the Ohio State star in the mix for the Broncos, Bills and Redskins, chances are he'll go a bit later in the first round. The Lions will consider Laurinaitis at No. 20. Tennessee, Indy, and the Giants could also be in the mix.

And you won't find a better guy in the entire draft. You will feel comfortable handing him millions of dollars.
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FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Schein's Nine: Bold takes on draft prospects
 
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Broncos work out players.

There aren't too many projected first- and second-round players the Broncos have worked out in recent weeks. Among those who recently got a look were Ohio State inside linebacker James Laurinaitis and Utah defensive end Paul Kruger.

They would be considered if they fell to the Broncos' No. 48 overall pick in round 2. With their No. 12 overall selection, the Broncos most likely will grab a defensive lineman,preferably a pass rusher if defensive tackle B.J. Raji is already gone.
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McDaniels not about to give up on kicker Prater - The Denver Post
 
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Laurinaitis, Robiskie among 36 athletes who graduated in Winter
Zack Meisel
Issue date: 4/1/09

With majors ranging from textile and clothing to Italian to zoology, 36 student-athletes representing 15 different sports received their diplomas at the Winter Commencement ceremonies March 22 at St. John Arena.

After contemplating a leap to the NFL following their junior seasons on the gridiron, James Laurinaitis and Brian Robiskie opted to return for one final shot at a BCS Championship. Instead, a 10-3 campaign ensued, though the extra year granted both athletes the time to fulfill the necessary requirements for their degrees. Laurinaitis majored in communication, and Robiskie in marketing.

The degree serves a potential option for a career after football, Laurinaitis said.

"We were talking about how we will be able to do so many more things because we have that degree now," he said. "If everything goes bad and we can't play football, we still have a degree that we can use toward something that we want to do. Hopefully, we'll be able to play in the NFL long enough where we don't have to worry about it, but it's definitely an accomplishment and a huge reason why I came back."

Laurinaitis graduated in fewer than four years, an achievement he cherishes, considering the time commitment that football requires.

"You really don't realize how much it means to you until you actually get the diploma. I'm really the first in my immediate family to graduate college, which, to me, is an accomplishment. To be able to do it in three-and-a-half years is something I'm proud of, especially with the time constraints that football has."
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Laurinaitis, Robiskie among 36 athletes who graduated in Winter - Sports

March 31, 2009
Draft Central: Titans Take A Look At Laurinaitis

By Jonathan Hutton April 1, 2009

Mike Keith recently wrote not to be surprised if you see the Titans take a linebacker with the 30th overall pick in this month's NFL Draft. I agree...and according to sources odds are high that scenario could unfold.

Don't get me wrong. Truly knowing who the Titans hope to have available once they're officially on the clock on Draft Day is as tough as trying to find people to attend a Memphis Grizzlies home game, but I can give you a linebacker that has paid a visit to Baptist Sports Park.

Sources confirmed Ohio State's James Laurinaitis has had multiple conversations with Titans officials throughout the draft process, so many that they're at the top of the inside linebacker's list of teams that have shown the most interest. (The others being the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers).

Someone should probably stop me at this point to play devil's advocate and argue the Titans are only interested in help at the outside LB position, however Titans Radio draft analyst Mike Detillier said Laurinaitis' 6-2, 244 pound frame would fit the mold of what the Titans want to use him for.

''He just seems to be a part of every play,'' Detillier said. ''He has great sideline-to-sideline speed and will be a great asset for any team who picks him up.''
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http://titansradio.com/article.asp?id=1249283&SPID=29108
 
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Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis king of accountability
Tue, Apr 07, 2009
Rick Gosselin

The NFL loves the playing ability of Ohio State's James Laurinaitis. He was a three-time All-America and the Butkus Award winner as the best linebacker in college football in 2007. The NFL likes his accountability even more.

Laurinaitis wants to be on the spot as the captain, middle linebacker and defensive signal caller. If he ever points a finger, it's at himself.

"I like being in charge," Laurinaitis "I like having the chance to make every play, being in on every tackle. When I was at Sam (strongside linebacker) in my freshman year, sometimes the ball goes the other and you're not in on every tackle. Being in the middle you're held more accountable.

"I love being the guy who makes the checks and is relied on more by the coaches. It's kind of like being a second coach on the field. I'd rather be the guy making the calls. If it screws up at all, it's my fault instead of having to depend on someone else."
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NFL Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News
 
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Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis learning from dad
Wed, Apr 08, 2009
Rick Gosselin

James Laurinaitis has put himself in position for an NFL future with an illustrious college past at Ohio State. For the last three years has has been one of the best linebackers in the country and now he's one of the best linebackers in the 2009 NFL draft.

But Laurinaitis is aware there's more to being a professional football player than playing the game on Sundays. He knows there are other responsibilities -- media responsibilities, family responsibilities -- that come with being a multi-million dollar athlete. He learned that from his father Joe, a pro wrestler who went by the name "The Animal."

"That helped," James said. "I don't get shy around cameras. When you're backstage with dad and you see him doing live promos, that was my life as a kid. I got to see Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart...Shawn Michaels was my favorite -- the Heartbreak Kid. It was an awesome childhood, a chance to see a lot of cool things.

"But you get to see the business side of it to, which can be lonely at times. But my dad did a great job of separating his job from being at home with the family. That helps at a time like this when there's so much stress about what's going to happen with your career. You learn to relax and separate the two."
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NFL Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News
 
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Mr. Nawrocki,

Longtime reader, but your mock ? I gotta ask. Atlanta just got rid of one slow linebacker who didn?t make a lot of plays. Why would we draft a slightly slower version of Brooking in the first round?

How would the Falcons not select Everette Brown or Clay Mathews in the scenario you lay out at #24.

I think Barwin?s worth the 24th pick as well. I?m hoping for a short trade back with the Giants. They move up to get (WR Hakeem) Nicks, we move back and grab Connor Barwin.

? Steven Clark

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Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis

Steven,
Your concerns about Laurinaitis? speed are shared by some NFL evaluators, but I value functional football playing speed much more than stopwatch speed, and Laurinaitis plays as fast as any inside ?backer in the draft. Even better, in the Falcons? scheme, he could play any of the three LB spots and provide great versatility.

Paul Posluszny just barely slid out of the first round because of his stopwatch speed, as did DeMeco Ryans the year before. However, they both played at a near-Pro Bowl level last season for the Bills and Texans, respectively. Chad Greenway ran very comparably to Laurinaitis at the Combine and emerged last season as one of the top linebackers in the league for the Vikings. If you look at a differential that may be the best gauge of any for a linebacker, you will understand why Laurinaitis will not fall out of the first round and why his lack of elite speed is overrated.

Draft-savvy general managers such as Tom Dimitroff and Bill Polian understand the importance of drafting scheme-specific talent and, even more paramount, not missing on first- and second-round picks, and they would know exactly what they are getting with Laurinaitis. Brooking was a great player for the Falcons for a long time and so could Laurinaitis. If the Falcons could land a young Brooking, I see it as a big plus, not a negative.
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NFL Draft - NFL draft preview and analysis from Pro Football Weekly
 
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The fact that he finds Keith Brookings' performances underwhelming means that his opinion is worthless. Brooking is getting older, but he was BAMF for a long time and deserves a lot more credit. Clay Matthews was a role player for USC, albeit a very good one. Everette Brown made a living squashing terrible opponents (Brown had 0 sacks and 3 TFL in games that FSU lost; 85% of his sacks came in games where FSU was comfortably ahead (average margin of victory was 24.25)). If the Falcons need a pass rusher, don't draft James. If they need a highly decorated linebacker who gets the job done, draft James. It's that simple.
 
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TheIronColonel;1446656; said:
The fact that he finds Keith Brookings' performances underwhelming means that his opinion is worthless. Brooking is getting older, but he was BAMF for a long time and deserves a lot more credit. Clay Matthews was a role player for USC, albeit a very good one. Everette Brown made a living squashing terrible opponents (Brown had 0 sacks and 3 TFL in games that FSU lost; 85% of his sacks came in games where FSU was comfortably ahead (average margin of victory was 24.25)). If the Falcons need a pass rusher, don't draft James. If they need a highly decorated linebacker who gets the job done, draft James. It's that simple.
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Is that really true? Great information!!! I keep seeing his stock rise, but I think he has bust written all over him.
 
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The Way We Hear It ? draft edition

Jenkins, Brown stand out for top-notch character

By Nolan Nawrocki
April 13, 2009

4) MLB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
Some evaluators have been quick to stamp the ?overachiever? label on the Buckeyes middle linebacker, not regarding him as an elite athlete deserving of a high pick. However, most decision makers still feel comfortable with the thought of selecting him in the back half of the first round because he is such a ?safe? pick. Notwithstanding an overbearing father who was cited by two teams, Laurinaitis has the work habits, maturity, football intelligence and leadership ability of a seasoned pro.
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NFL Draft - NFL draft preview and analysis from Pro Football Weekly
 
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