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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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Laurinaitis Learned from Dad
Sunday, June 21, 2009
By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

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Picture for a moment if you will, Joe ?Animal? Laurinaitis out of his realm within the wrestling ring and playing the role of dad on your local softball field.

Picture a 325-pound professional wrestler ? a man who makes a living knocking people down and falling over with equal aplomb, who regularly wore face paint and spikes for his version of business casual ? standing on a softball field coaching 6-year old girls.

If it?s hard to gather the image in your head, it?s not because it never happened. In fact, for most of his life, Laurinaitis somehow found the time and opportunity to coach all three of his children in whatever athletic endeavor they took in.

?Imagine me at 325 pounds, coaching 6-year old girls swing ball softball,? Laurinaitis said. ?I looked like a silverback gorilla coaching little girls. It was kind of funny looking but that?s what I wanted to bring to my kids.?

Laurinaitis and his wife Julie formed a tag team as good as the Road Warriors, the duo that won wrestling championships on a regular basis in the ring, by raising their children in a healthy, athletic environment that would breed success.

Any doubt about that is erased simply by taking a look at the couple?s son, James Laurinaitis, the Rams? second-round pick in April?s draft and almost certainly the team?s middle linebacker of the future.

Almost from the day he was born, James Laurinaitis was destined to be an athlete of some kind. In the Laurinaitis family, sports were a way of life.

Joe Laurinaitis was a junior college All American football player, an accomplished baseball player (like his father) and eventually one-half of one of the most successful tag teams in wrestling history.

Julie Laurinaitis was weightlifter and bodybuilder with the knowledge to provide her children with a nutritional diet and cart them around to various practices.

?I?ve been blessed with great genetics being a wrestler and a meathead and my mom (Julie) being a fitness model,? James Laurinaitis said. ?So I have a unique set of genes, but I?m very blessed.?

James Laurinaitis took to the sports quickly. Joe put a ball in his crib soon after he was born and James was instantly taken by sports.

Even as a kindergartner, James would sit at the bus stop and want his father to throw him the ball so he could make ?Ozzie Smith catches.?

Joe installed a 40x80 Sport Court in the backyard so his kids and any kid who wanted a safe place to play sports could go.

?He was just crazy that way,? Joe Laurinaitis said. ?He wanted to dive for the baseballs all over the place, all the time. That?s just the kind of kid he was.?
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The official site of the St. Louis Rams - Article
 
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On Friday, Dominik was hanging with the enemy. Former Buckeyes James Laurinaitis and Brian Hartline have worked the camp all four years of its existence. This year they were joined by two OSU holdovers -- safety Kurt Coleman and wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher.

"The nice thing is interacting with the kids where football is still just a game," said Laurinaitis, a three-time All-America linebacker taken 35th overall by the St. Louis Rams in this year's NFL draft. "There's a little bit of the business side here, but we've been playing this game since we were as old as these kids, so it's nice to be able to come back to that."

Lex coach B.J. Payne has seen his camp grow from 40 kids the first year to 250 this weekend.

He blew his whistle every 20 minutes during the three-hour session, with kids scurrying from one of the seven stations to the next.

"A couple of years ago, we had 115 kids here and 110 of them wanted to be a linebacker because Laurinaitis was here," Payne said. "Now we make sure we have the seven stations to make sure everyone gets coached up in all phases of the game.

"When I was little, I was a receiver, then in junior high I was a fullback/linebacker and in high school I was a defensive lineman. Some of these kids here might think they're receivers, but their bodies will develop. That's why we teach them different skills here. If I had played one position, I'd have been in trouble. I would have been the slowest receiver in the world."
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Laurinaitis, reunited in St. Louis with former OSU teammates Larry Grant and Antonio Pittman, said he won't be playing this season with a chip on his shoulder even though he slipped out of the first round in this year's draft.

"I want to prove to myself that I can play at this level," Laurinaitis said. "I don't think too high or too low about what people think. My personal goals will always help me overcome whatever people think of me."
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Annual Lex youth football camp brings out the 'kids' in OSU stars | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Mansfield News Journal
 
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07.29.2009
Laurinaitis signs; Rams still working on J.Smith
By Jim Thomas
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

One down, one to go on St. Louis Rams draft picks. The Post-Dispatch confirmed today that linebacker James Laurinaitis, the second-round draft pick from Ohio State, has signed a four-year contract with the Rams. Contract details weren?t immediately available.

Meanwhile, negotiations continued on first-rounder Jason Smith, the offensive tackle from Baylor. Both Smith and Laurinaitis are represented by the St. Louis-based CAA Football group which includes well-known player agents Jim Steiner, Tom Condon and Ben Dogra.

In a text message Wednesday afternoon, Dogra said CAA remains hopeful that Smith will be signed before the first training camp practices for rookies (and selected veterans) takes place Thursday morning at Rams Park. But Dogra cautioned that it?s too early to tell whether a deal can be struck in time to avoid having Smith miss any workouts.

Laurinaitis, meanwhile, shouldn?t miss a minute of training camp. He?s expected to be the Rams? starting middle linebacker this season.

?I?m very excited,? Laurinaitis said this afternoon. ?I can?t wait to get into the meetings again and get that playbook back.?
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Laurinaitis signs; Rams still working on J.Smith | Around the Horns | STLtoday
 
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Thursday, Jul. 30, 2009

Laurinaitis is ready to hit the field

Second-round draft pick agrees to four-year deal

BY STEVE KORTE - News-Democrat

ST. LOUIS -- Being a holdout was something that St. Louis Rams rookie linebacker James Laurinaitis wanted to avoid more than a missed tackle or a blown assignment.
Laurinaitis, a second-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, signed a four-year contract with the Rams on Wednesday.
He promptly headed to the Embassy Suites in St. Charles, Mo., checking in at the hotel a few of hours ahead of deadline for rookies to report for training camp.

"It's nice to have all that out of the way,'' Laurinaitis said. "It's time for football now.''
Rookies, quarterbacks and a few selected veterans will hold two 90-minute practices today at the team's headquarters in Earth City, Mo.
The first full-squad practice is slated for Friday afternoon.
Laurinaitis seemed truly relieved to have signed -- getting the "monkey off his back,'' as he called it -- his first NFL contract.
"Before I left, Coach (Steve) Spagnuolo kind of said, 'Hey, I don't like talking about all of that contractual stuff, but make sure you get into camp on time,''' Laurinaitis said. "You don't want anybody thinking of you as that guy holding out. You don't want that label on you.''
Projected as the Rams' starting middle linebacker, Laurinaitis couldn't afford to miss much practice time.
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James Laurinaitis signs with St. Louis Rams
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Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis during the St. Louis Rams third minicamp at the Russell Training Center in St. Louis, Mo. (Chris Lee/P-D)


BY JIM THOMAS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH​
07/30/2009

There's nothing like a looming deadline to get things done in the NFL. So with the Rams set to open training camp today at Rams Park, they spent Wednesday signing second-round draft pick James Laurinaitis to a four-year contract, closing in on a deal for first-rounder Jason Smith, and adding veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas.

Rookies, quarterbacks, and selected veterans will take part in two practices today to open camp. The first full-squad practice takes place Friday afternoon.

Laurinaitis signed his contract early Wednesday afternoon at Rams Park, and wasted little time checking into the nearby team hotel for camp.

"It's nice to have all that out of the way," Laurinaitis said. "That's an area I don't like, kind of like thinking about all that money stuff. For me, it's all about playing football ever since I was little. So the fact that we get paid for this now is just a bonus. But I'll never be one of those guys that gets caught up in those numbers and such."


Laurinaitis, who is represented by St. Louis-based agents Tom Condon and Ben Dogra of the CAA Football agency, got a text from his agents in the wee hours Wednesday morning that the deal was basically done, and that it would be wrapped up later in the morning.

The middle linebacker from Ohio State is expected to be the Rams' starter there on opening day, and the fact that he won't miss a minute of camp will help his cause.
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Rookie LB Laurinaitis is built Ram-tough

Posted: August 6th, 2009 | Steve Wyche |

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Rams LB James Laurinaitis should prove to be an integral part of the Rams defense this season. (Jeff Roberson / Associated Press)

Rookie LB James Laurinaitis should prove to be an integral part of the Rams' defense this season. (Jeff Roberson / Associated Press)

Just got done talking to Rams rookie James Laurinaitis. What an impressive guy. The second-round draft pick eventually will start at middle linebacker, but right now, he?s working behind veteran Chris Draft.

Laurinaitis definitely looks the part of a middle linebacker. At 6-foot-2 and 244 pounds, he?s the bigger, more physical-type that new Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney wanted when they made over the roster during the offseason.

Laurinaitis, who will call the plays on defense, told me how he took extensive notes after his first Rams minicamp and studied tape in the weeks leading up to organized team activities, so when he got back, he knew all the calls and audibles. Laurinaitis also said that he watched a ton of video of Giants MLB Antonio Pierce, who played in Spagnuolo?s system in New York.

The Rams are making their rookies earn starting jobs, but Laurinaitis has put himself on track to be manning the middle in the near future.
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NFL.com Blogs ? Blog Archive Rookie LB Laurinaitis is built Ram-tough ?
 
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good read on JL....

The man in the middle
Sports Columnist Bryan Burwell
[More columns]by
Bryan Burwell
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/09/2009

This is what you might call a Central Casting-issued middle linebacker's neck. It happens to be attached to a Central Casting-issued middle linebacker's body, too. At 6 feet 2, 244 pounds, the Rams' second-round draft pick (35th overall) out of Ohio State is no bulky, undersized fireplug. He represents the official end of the string of too many undersized linebackers who were the staple of far too many Rams defenses over the last decade. Laurinaitis is a tall athlete who is quick enough to run you down from sideline to sideline, or drop 15 yards into coverage to track down a receiver. But he is also a big, strong man who should not be run over if he drops into the fray to fill a gap on run plays.

On this particular afternoon as the perspiration streams nonstop down his head, you can see the stark evidence that Laurinaitis' famous neck ? and the rest of his body for that matter ? has just endured another healthy dose of exhausting two-a-days at Rams Park. The neck and the Popeye-like forearms are decorated with bright red welts.

These are the professional marks of distinction for the 22-year-old recent college graduate whose new business address is in the middle of the very turbulent intersection of a nonstop train wreck, and all hell is breaking loose. Just before the snap of the ball, Laurinaitis crouches into a deep knee bend, his hands resting on his thighs, his head popping up barely over the broad backs of those beefy defensive linemen.

At the snap of the ball, the chaos ensues. Giant offensive linemen fire off the line of scrimmage, giant defensive linemen meet them in a thunderous body slam, and Laurinaitis disappears briefly in the commotion. But if your eyes follow the ball, you will find him soon enough.

On one particular play during Friday night's scrimmage at Lindenwood, a running back barrels into the scrum, and before long you see Laurinaitis pile-driving at the point of attack, clogging the brief sliver of daylight before Kenneth Darby can gain 2 yards.

On another play ? a pass intended for tight end Randy McMichael ? Laurinaitis goes into a smooth back-pedal, makes a quick body turn and rides McMichael's hip like a shadow for 20 yards. At just the right moment, the young linebacker instinctively turns his head at the split second the ball arrives into the deep seam and McMichael and Laurinaitis both go tumbling to the ground as the ball bounces harmlessly to the artificial turf.

For the time being, Laurinaitis is running primarily with the second-unit defense. Before the snap of the ball, he is moving younger, inexperienced players around like chess pieces, barking out signals, waving his hands and shouting out adjustments at the first sight of motion from the offensive side of the ball.

His body language on the field gives off the aura of confidence and even a little bit of authority, which is exactly what you want in a middle linebacker. That is no accident. That is by design and exhaustive studying of a thick defensive playbook that he is still in the process of memorizing. Sooner or later, Laurinaitis knows that he will be expected to be the middle linebacker with the first unit, and he will be expected to bark out signals to grown men who have been in the NFL five, six or 12 years.

Not every NFL rookie has what it takes to handle this task. Some of the lucky ones get to quietly learn the ropes without much leadership responsibility. But when you're expected to become the primary signal caller on offense or defense, no one really cares if you're a rookie. They just want to know if physically you can do the job. They also want to know if you know the job, too.
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The man in the middle - STLtoday.com
 
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Posted: Sunday August 9, 2009
Linebacker Laurinaitis gets time with St. Louis' first-team defense

James Laurinaitis deflects praise when discussing his role with the Ram defense
He and coach Steve Spagnuolo say it's merely a reflection of getting comfortable
He remains second on the depth chart, trailing 11-year veteran Chris Draft


EARTH CITY, Mo. (AP) -- James Laurinaitis is downplaying his increased time with the St. Louis Rams' first-team defense.

The rookie middle linebacker out of Ohio State played with the starters during Sunday's morning workout, but he and coach Steve Spagnuolo say the added work with the first team is a reflection of his increased comfort with the system and not a move up the depth chart.

"I'm happy that (Spagnuolo) had the confidence to put me with the first group, but nothing's changed from my mindset,'' Laurinaitis said. "I'm still going out there trying to learn, still asking a lot of questions and trying to get better every day.''

Laurinaitis, the 35th-overall overall draft pick this spring, remains behind 11-year veteran Chris Draft.

The three-time All-American is going through the same growing pains all rookies deal with despite a stellar collegiate career. He also won the Nagurski Award, as the nation's best defensive player, as a sophomore, and the Butkus Award, as the nation's top linebacker, as a junior.

"We're seeing the things we thought when we drafted him. He's a smart football player, that's tough, can run really well,'' Spagnuolo said. "He's picking up things pretty well. The volume is getting heavier and heavier, but he's handling it pretty well.''

The coach also pointed out that a number of players will be used in different positions and with different units as the Rams progress through the preseason. They have their first preseason game Friday at the New York Jets.

Laurinaitis said that having veterans such as Draft and fellow linebacker Will Witherspoon, in his ninth season, has been instrumental to learning the system. Laurinaitis said Draft has been especially helpful in helping him take increased responsibility for making defensive calls.

"I'm very comfortable doing that,'' Laurinaitis said. "This is one of those things where you've got to be very comfortable in your position and you've got to be able to make calls and you've got to be able to stand by them.''
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Read more: James Laurinaitis gets time with Rams's 1st-team defense - NFL - SI.com
 
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Laurinaitis is catching on quickly

Ohio State All-American is spending time on first-team defense

BY STEVE KORTE - News-Democrat


Chris Draft shifted from middle linebacker to strong-side linebacker, opening up a spot for the second-round draft pick.
"Coach Spags, I think, is moving some guys around right now, kind of seeing where guys can play,'' Laurinaitis said. "I'm happy that he had the confidence in me to put me in the first group, but nothing has changed with my mindset. I'm still going out there trying to learn. I'm still asking lots of questions and trying to get better every day.''
Laurinaitis said he doesn't see the move as a sign that he'll be playing with the starting unit when the regular season opens.
"It is what it is,'' Laurinaitis said. "Coach Spags hasn't made any final 'this is our depth chart' thing. He's moving people around and seeing how versatile guys are at other positions. If he throws me somewhere else tomorrow, I'll go there. I'll do whatever he wants.''
Spagnuolo said Laurinaitis is showing all the attributes that convinced the Rams to select him with the 35th overall pick out of Ohio State in the 2009 NFL Draft.
"We're seeing the things we thought (we'd see) when we drafted him,'' Spagnuolo said. "He's a smart football player, he's tough, he can run real well. He's picking up things pretty good right now. The volume keeps getting heavier and heavier, but he's handled it.''
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CAMP SIGHTS: Wrestling dad shaped rookie LB
by Alex Marvez
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He's covered the NFL for 14 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Updated: August 12, 2009

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EARTH CITY, Mo. - Pro wrestling stardom would come naturally for James Laurinaitis.

Paint his face. Add spikes to his football shoulder pads. Transform his short haircut into a funky Mohawk and voila. You've got the second coming of tag-team legend Joe "Animal" Laurinaitis.

Even the king of the grappling game ? World Wrestling Entertainment owner Vince McMahon ? has a standing offer for James to follow in the footsteps of his father and two uncles who "rassled" during the 1980s and 1990s.

"Whenever I see Vince, he tells me, 'We're so proud of you. We hope football works out. If it doesn't, come join the family business,'" James Laurinaitis said. "But for me, it's always been football."

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And it probably always will be should he enjoy as long and prosperous an NFL career as the St. Louis Rams predict.

A collegiate standout at Ohio State, Laurinaitis was chosen in the second round of this year's draft in hopes he will anchor the team's defense for seasons to come. He enters Friday night's preseason opener against the New York Jets listed as the backup middle linebacker on the depth chart, but Laurinaitis began working with the first-team defense Sunday ahead of veteran Chris Draft. Laurinaitis could very well be in the starting lineup Sept. 13 when St. Louis opens the regular season at Seattle.

"We're looking for smart, passionate and productive players," Rams first-year general manager Billy Devaney said. "Laurinaitis fits all of that. He's extremely intelligent, he loves playing football and his (college) production was off the charts. That pick was an easy one."

Laurinaitis finished as the seventh-leading tackler in Ohio State history with 375, helping him win the Nagurski and Butkus Awards during his four college seasons. He was a two-time team captain who graduated with a degree in communications. Had he turned pro early in a 2008 draft class without as many standout linebackers, Laurinaitis wouldn't have lasted until the 35th overall pick like he did this year.

Laurinaitis has no regrets about staying for his senior season, just like he didn't think twice about trying to become a junior Road Warrior.

Joe Laurinaitis and his late partner Mike "Hawk" Hegstrand rank among the top duos in wrestling history. Growling that they "snacked on danger and dined on death" during interviews, the Road Warriors (or Legion of Doom as they were coined in WWE) combined charisma, athleticism, massive physiques and power moves into worldwide stardom.

At 7 years old, James Laurinaitis realized his father wasn't an average Joe.

"I remember meeting guys like Hulk Hogan, the Ultimate Warrior, Earthquake and Typhoon when I first got taken on the road," James Laurinaitis said. "But until the mid-1990s, I didn't really grasp the idea that stuff was staged out and it was more entertainment.

"I wish I did because I could have won a lot of bets with my friends on who was going to win certain pay-per-views. But my dad would never tell me the result. I would ask, 'Are you going to win tonight?' and he'd say, 'You'll have to watch and see.' I would get really mad when he wouldn't win. As I got older, I would laugh when (smaller) guys like Road Dogg and Billy Gunn would beat him. I'd be like, 'That's just ridiculous. There's no way in real life these guys could beat the Road Warriors.' "
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CAMP SIGHTS: Wrestling dad shaped rookie LB - NFL News - FOX Sports on MSN
 
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