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

[osucollegebuck]

MJ #1, JL #4, and Robo 1st name listed for "others strongly mentioned." Speaks volumes about what Tress does for his players in terms of personal growth and the type of kids he brings in.

Yes, plus they mentioned Quinn Pitcock and Gonzo in the first couple paragraphs.

 

[Buckskin86]

Life in Animal house prepared Laurinaitis for NFL
Thu 16 April

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -Joe Laurinaitis knew his middle child was bound for greatness about the time he saw the 12-year-old doing piledrivers and slamming his younger sister on the family's backyard trampoline.
``He'd say, 'Hey, daddy, look what I did! I did the Undertaker's move!''' the proud father said.
Now James Laurinaitis is ready to follow in his dad's footsteps as a professional athlete, only in the NFL instead of the WWE.
Joe is the face-painted, mohawked menace known as Animal, part of the legendary Road Warriors and Legion of Doom. While other kids' dads worked more predictable jobs for a living, James' old man stepped into the squared circle, hit people with chairs and put them in sleeper holds.
At home, though, he was just dad - with a twist.
keeping it separate.''
After starting at linebacker the last three years at Ohio State, James is preparing for the NFL draft on April 25. A two-time Associated Press All-American, he is expected to go in the first round.
His father's voice rises to a thundering growl - it's even a little scary over the phone - when he considers that any team might consider another college linebacker ahead of his son.
``The only thing I wish for James is that he actually gets the respect he deserves and gets drafted where he deserves to go,'' Joe snorts.
He concedes that James' humility, even temperament and love of books came from his mother. But there are still signs that ``Little Animal'' is a chip off the ol' block.
``Now he says, 'Anybody who gets drafted above me, I'm putting a picture on my wall and when I get ready to do my second contract, I'm going to see how many of those guys are still around the league,''' Joe said.

Life in Animal house prepared Laurinaitis for NFL

 

[Buckskin86]

OSU's talented Laurinaitis gives credit to his genes
NFL draft preview: Linebackers
By Bob LeGere | Daily Herald StaffContact writer
Published: 4/17/2009

As many as eight linebackers could come off the board in the first round of next week's NFL Draft, even more if the defensive end-outside linebacker hybrids are counted.

But this year's group is especially intriguing because it is more than talented, it's also colorful.

Start with Ohio State's James Laurinaitis. He's probably the most decorated player in the draft, having won the Nagurski Award as the nation's top defensive player in 2006, the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker and the Big Ten's defensive player of the year in 2007. He played in all 51 games the past four years for the Buckeyes, including 40 straight starts.

Laurinaitis gives his parents a lot of the credit for his success. His father, Joe, was a professional wrestler, known as "The Animal."

"He's a big kid," Laurinaitis said at the NFL Scouting Combine about his father. "He gets excited. He gets more hyped up about all this than I do sometimes. He definitely has had a huge influence. He does a great job of being a role model - how to handle things, how to handle success.

"He taught me two very important lessons when I was young. The first was, 'The day you ever become satisfied as a player, just walk away, because if you ever think you're good enough, you should be done, you've already accomplished everything.'

"The second thing he taught me is, 'No matter how hard you're working, there's always somebody across the country working that much harder to try and take your spot.'

"As far as physical stuff, I've been blessed with great genetics being a wrestler and a meathead, and my mom (Julie) being a fitness model. So I have a unique set of genes. I'm very blessed."

Daily Herald | OSU's talented Laurinaitis gives credit to his genes

 

[Buckskin86]

Looking for safe draft picks? Check out these future stars
April 17, 2009
By Rob Rang
NFLDraftScout.com

James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State: Ironically, I list Laurinaitis here despite being less impressed with him than most. He is not the explosive hitter and consistent playmaker many teams prefer at middle linebacker. I'm also not convinced that he has the straight-line speed and agility to excel on the outside. However, I have no reservations that Laurinaitis will at least be a quality starter in the NFL. There isn't a more instinctive, reliable open-field tackler in this draft than Laurinaitis. As the general manager told me, "He doesn't fit every scheme like some of the other guys this year, but you know what you're getting with him." (Laurinaitis) is a smart guy that you can throw the playbook at and know that he's going to be prepared from Game 1."

Looking for safe draft picks? Check out these future stars - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

 

[Buckskin86]

Laurinaitis is special, maybe because his dad is a wrestler and mom is a model
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star

Kevork Djansezian
Joe ?The Animal? Laurinaitis (right) was on hand when his son, Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis, picked up the Ronnie Lott Trophy late last year.

Ohio State middle linebacker James Laurinaitis? role model as a boy was no different than most youngsters growing up in middle America.

Except for maybe the face paint, Mohawk haircut, Fu Manchu, and red and black wrestling tights that Laurinaitis? dad wore to work each day.

Laurinaitis? father is former pro wrestler Joe ?The Animal? Laurinaitis; his uncle Marcus was ?The Terminator.? Exposure to the bright lights, smack talk and zany world of pro wrestling actually kept Laurinaitis grounded as he made his mark as one of the most decorated players in college football history.

?He definitely has had a huge influence,? Laurinaitis, one of the top linebackers in this year?s NFL Draft, said of his dad. ?He does a great job of being a role model ? how to handle things, how to handle success.

?I don?t get shy among a lot of cameras and stuff. When you?re backstage with Dad and you see him doing live promos, that?s just your life as a kid. I got to see Hulk Hogan at times, and my favorite wrestler, the Heartbreak Kid. It was an awesome childhood. You get a chance to see a lot of cool things, and you get to see the business side of it, too, which can be lonely at times.?

Laurinaitis is special, maybe because his dad is a wrestler and mom is a model - Kansas City Star

 

[Buckskin86]

7 Points: Don't overlook OSU's Laurinaitis by Ed Thompson, Scout.com

Updated: April 19, 2009

Point No. 1: Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis has simply been too good for too long.

In a world where the media and fans often overreact to their short-term memories, talented players who posted attention-grabbing performances during their senior year are too often heralded as "can't-miss" prospects. But in reality, some will wash out after they've pocketed millions of dollars.

James Laurinaitis has never missed a game because of injury. (Matt Sullivan / Getty Images)

Meanwhile, it appears that some people got so used to James Laurinaitis playing at a consistently high level of performance for three years in the Big Ten that he's become a first-round talent who has fallen off their radar a bit. And that's simply ridiculous.

The 6-foot-2, 244-pound linebacker is one of just five players to earn First-Team All-American status three times. He's increased his number of tackles in each of the past three seasons and has never missed a game because of injury at any level. He's won the Nagurski Award as the nation's top defensive player, the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker, the Lott Trophy for his excellence in personal character and on-the-field performance and was a two-time winner of the Jack Lambert trophy that also recognizes the top linebacker in the country.

The intensely focused player exploded into the national spotlight in 2006 when he made 115 stops, picked off five passes, forced three fumbles and notched four sacks. In 2007, he was named the first junior captain under the tenure of Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel. In 2008, he opted to return to Ohio State for his senior year out of a sense of obligation to his teammates and his coach, even though he could have easily entered the NFL draft.

I don't know about you, but if I was going to invest millions of dollars on a high pick in the first round, I'd be going after James Laurinaitis. But do NFL teams realize the "can't-miss" factor that Laurinaitis projects through his accomplishments?

"Yeah, I've talked to a few teams who really want to draft me as the foundation of their defense, and I think they realize what they're getting when they get me," he said during a recent exclusive interview. "They're getting a hard-working kid who will never take a play off, works extremely hard and will always put the team before him. They're going to get a guy who sets goals high and who achieves them.

"That's one thing that I learned from my dad, the day you get satisfied in the way you are as a player, you should just quit because you're going to start becoming a worse player if you're satisfied with yourself."

Laurinaitis has worked out for the St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins and the Denver Broncos. He had official visits with the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans and the New Orleans Saints. The Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings were just a few of the teams who requested a formal interview with him at the NFL Scouting Combine.

FOX Sports on MSN - NFL Draft - 7 Points: Don't overlook OSU's Laurinaitis

 

[Buckskin86]

Laurinaitis prepared for big stage
By Mike Chappell
Posted: April 22, 2009

Don't worry about James Laurinaitis being overwhelmed by the hype of being a likely first-round draft pick or wilting on the NFL's grand stage. Not with his background.

The Ohio State linebacker has been exposed to the over-the-top world of professional wrestling. His father, Joe, was "The Animal," a member of the Road Warriors. Uncle Marcus entertained as "The Terminator."

Pro football might seem a bit tame.

"I don't get shy amongst cameras and stuff," Laurinaitis said in February while participating in the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. "When you're backstage with Dad and you see him doing live promos and stuff, you're like 'OK.' That's just your life as a kid.

"I got to see Hulk Hogan at times, and my favorite wrestler, the Heartbreak Kid. It was an awesome childhood."

Joe Laurinaitis wasn't all face paint and playing to the crowd. He was a role model for an impressionable son.

"He taught me two very important lessons when I was young, and the first was the day you ever become satisfied as a player, just walk away because if you ever think you're good enough, you should be done," James Laurinaitis said. "And the second thing he taught me is no matter how hard you're working, there's always somebody across the country working that much harder to try and take your spot."

Laurinaitis prepared for big stage | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

OSU star feels a draft

Ohio State's James Laurinaitis is ready for speculation to end and training camp to begin.

By MARK CRAIG, Star Tribune
Last update: April 22, 2009

The Houston Texans have the 15th pick in this year's NFL draft and are among several teams in the middle to late portion of the first round interested in James Laurinaitis, the former Ohio State and Wayzata High School middle linebacker.

The Texans were one of seven teams Laurinaitis visited after the scouting combine in February. The son of Joe Laurinaitis, a retired professional wrestler living in Hamel, James was in Houston on April 5 to meet with the Texans, hang out with former Wayzata teammate and current Texan Dominique Barber and, of course, take in the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania at Reliant Stadium.

With VIP access that 72,000 fans would have body-slammed him for, James took Barber, fellow Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman and former Gophers defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg backstage for the event.

They met James' uncle, John, formerly know as wrestler "Johnny Ace" and current World Wrestling Entertainment vice president for talent relations. They heard plenty of stories about Joe's wilder days as "Animal," half of the popular "Road Warriors" tag team. And they hung out with some of James' old friends, such as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and "The Undertaker," who, by the way, is a huge University of Texas fan and couldn't help but rub James' nose in the Longhorns' 24-21 victory over the Buckeyes in this year's Fiesta Bowl.

"It was a lot of fun and kind of strange," James said. "These are guys I grew up watching and looking up to, and they're all coming up to me and wanting to talk about the draft. They're now fans of mine. It's all kind of surreal."

OSU star feels a draft

 

[BB73]

CFN rates JL behind Maualuga, but then rates Rey as 'most overrated'.

CFN.Inside.LBs

2. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State 6-2, 245

Stunningly mediocre at the Combine, when he was expected to blow the quickness, speed, and agility drills off the charts, his stock has dropped to a low point considering he likely would've been taken in the top ten had he left a year early. After a breakthrough sophomore season when he seemingly made every play possible against the run and the pass, he got by more on reputation, at least when it came to the award-types, than big-time production. While he filled the stat sheet, he wasn't quite the difference maker the numbers indicated. Strong when he was in space and able to roam to the ball, he had problems when attacked and blocked. Even so, he was the leader of a fantastic defense, especially against the run, and has absolutely no bust potential, unless he gets hurt. He'll make a ton of tackles and will be a fan favorite, but he's not going to be a special all-around star.

CFN Projection: First Round

 

[Buckeye86]

I don't get how he would have been taken top ten last year if he left early but isn't a top ten prospect this year based on his combine performance, would he have miraculously performed better at the combine last year or something? that doesn't make sense

 

[martinss01]

I don't get how he would have been taken top ten last year if he left early but isn't a top ten prospect this year based on his combine performance, would he have miraculously performed better at the combine last year or something? that doesn't make sense

i suspect they are assuming he wouldn't have taken part in the combine. still not certain thats true but whatever.

 

[3074326]

I think this might be a blessing in disguise. JL is going to go to a playoff team and solidify someone's LB group and get his big pay day after he proves what a steady contributor he is.

There are some very good teams later in the first round that need ILBs.. Baltimore, NYG, Miami, New England, Tennesee, maybe some others.

 

[Buckskin86]

Making the case for the New York Giants to draft Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis with the 29th pick
by Mike Garafolo/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday April 22, 2009

Tom Szczerbowski/US Presswire
James Laurinaitis might be limited athletically, but the former Ohio St. linebacker has been lauded for his instincts and work ethic.

Tuesday, I did a mock draft for NFL.com (I don't think it's been posted yet) in which there was a run on wide receivers right before I picked. Hakeem Nicks, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Brian Robiskie all came off the board right before I, playing the role of Jerry Reese, stepped up to the podium.
In the true spirit of a mock draft, I slipped into character and imagined myself as Reese. And because I had to make the pick without the option of trading up or down, I imagined the Browns simply wanted too much for Braylon Edwards and that my attempts to trade up had been thwarted. So with the 29th pick in one of thousands of fake drafts, the New York Giants (read: MG) selected Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis.

And here I thought that was going to be a popular pick.

First of all, I know a lot of you folks have been rabid in your assessment of Antonio Pierce's play last season. You think he was less than stellar for much of the year and, at times, he was horrible. You also blame him for being part of the distraction that was Plaxico Burress' situation. (Never mind for now what I think about these points. I'll get there in a second.)

And I figured you would be happy with a guy who has been tremendously productive and consistent at a premier position for a top college program.

Instead, in talking and e-mailing with a few people, I got a lot of shoulder shrugs, one "Meh" and a few "bad pick" responses. And honestly, I don't get it. How is that a bad pick? I hear the criticisms about his speed (4.70 40-yard dash appears to have been his best number), even some questions about his strength and the concerns about how Ohio State LBs drafted in the first round recently haven't exactly been fitted for their Hall of Fame blazers yet.

But Laurinaitis seems to be a consistent player, an excellent tackler who doesn't shy away from contact, a "student of the game" (sorry for the cliche) and a guy who simply loves to play football. If that's not a description of exactly what you want from a middle linebacker, I don't know what is. And if that's not the description of a Tom Coughlin player, again, somebody needs to point me in another direction.

I also heard Michigan State QB Brian Hoyer on Sirius/XM NFL Radio yesterday saying Laurinaitis is as good as anyone at reading and diagnosing the play, knowing what's coming and putting himself and his teammates in the right spot to make a play. Sound like anybody you know? Anybody that currently wears No. 58 for the Giants?

Look, I don't think Pierce's 2008 season was nearly as bad as many believe. He was highlighted and seemingly exploited by Brian Westbrook on a few plays, but I've spoken at length about those plays being total team breakdowns, not individual mistakes by Pierce. And I also think he did a good job keeping a banged-up defense together. The big problem with the '08 Giants down the stretch was not the defense. No way.

Having said that, why wouldn't the Giants want to have a solid backup for Pierce and perhaps a potential replacement? And wouldn't Laurinaitis, who's already a smart player, benefit from learning from one of the smartest, most instinctive linebackers in the NFL? Sure he would.

In short, I guess what I'm saying is I wouldn't have a problem with the Giants' sitting at No. 29 (if they can't trade up) and grabbing Laurinaitis and then using any of their next four picks to grab a couple of receivers.

Making the case for the New York Giants to draft Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis with the 29th pick - NJ.com

 

[Buckskin86]

OSU football: As NFL nears, two pals savor the college life
Laurinaitis, Freeman have forged a close friendship
Thursday, April 23, 2009
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Courtney Hergesheimer Dispatch
Marcus Freeman and James Laurinaitis hit it off in 2005 and now share an apartment. Soon, each will have his own digs.

The sliding door was opened to give them a running head start.

First James Laurinaitis, then Marcus Freeman dashed out the door, onto the balcony, and hurled clementines in a high arc to an eventual splashdown in the large pond outside Laurinaitis' third-floor apartment.

The small oranges bobbed to the surface, one a few feet past the other, and Laurinaitis was declared the champion fruit-flinger.

It was just another of the impromptu games and competitions the two former Ohio State linebackers have invented over the past three-plus years of close friendship. Anyone who has had siblings or college roommates probably can relate to the relaxed goofiness that filled the apartment on a recent weeknight.

The jabs, both verbal and physical, were nearly nonstop for over an hour. To say that these two, both of whom are likely to be selected on the first day of the NFL draft Saturday, are comfortable with each other is an understatement.

"Did he tell you he was more interested in my father than me?" Laurinaitis asks a visitor.

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU football: As NFL nears, two pals savor the college life

 

[Buckskin86]

Safe and familiar James Laurinaitis wondering about his draft status
by Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer
Friday April 24, 2009

Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer
Former Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis says he has received positive feedback about his abilities from NFL teams.

COLUMBUS -- So you're tired of James Laurinaitis.

"I kind of feel like I've become old news in college football," the three-time All-American linebacker and recent Ohio State grad said Thursday. "Sometimes I think if I had been an All-American for just two years instead of three, I'd be better off."

Potential isn't a word you hear associated much with the two-time Ohio State captain and three-time leading tackler, because every opponent, fan, coach, scout and general manager in the football world has seen what Laurinaitis can do for three seasons. There's little mystery there. Not a lot of risk. That doesn't mean there isn't reward, which is why Laurinaitis has a hard time believing he won't be a first-round pick in Saturday's NFL Draft.

"A lot of teams I talked to said I'm a heckuva of a football player," Laurinaitis said.

Having watched every game of Laurinaitis' career, I can't believe he's not a first-round pick. But of 12 mock drafts on NFL.com, ESPN.com, CBSSportsline.com and SI.com, only three have Laurinaitis going in the first round.

Considered a possible top-10 pick had he turned pro after his junior year, the consensus is that Laurinaitis is going to be a starter and succeed in the NFL.

But he somehow might be too safe of a pick for teams looking for a super-high ceiling, even if it comes with bust potential.

"Some teams very much have the idea in the first round that we are going to take an elite athlete who could be a difference-maker," said draft analyst Rob Rang of NFLdraftscout.com. "And some have an attitude that, because of the salary cap, we can't afford to have busts in the first round. There are two lines of thinking. And with a guy like Laurinaitis, he's hoping that teams go for the second approach, because you know what you're getting with James Laurinaitis."

Safe and familiar James Laurinaitis wondering about his draft status - Ohio State Buckeyes Football & Basketball News - cleveland.com

 

[WoodyWorshiper]

Barring any serious injury, James will be a steal anywhere after the top 10 picks. Same thing happened with Spielman, when the "experts" at the combine decided he was too short, too slow, blah-blah-blah. Chris slid to the second round because of these idiots looking at "measurables" instead of "performance." Any GM with 1/2 a brain should be looking at game film of a 3-Time All-American LB from TOSU instead of a stopwatch or a measuring tape.

Best of Luck tomorrow, James. For you, I hope some team out there realizes your ability and you go top 10. For ME, I hope you slip to the Browns somewhere along the line.

Peace.