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LB Coach James Laurinaitis (2x B1G DPOY, 2006 Nagurski, 2007 Butkus, 2008 Lott, 3x All-American, OSU HOF)
- Thread starter BuckNutty
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sammyjenkis
Hall of Fame
I have James, Beanie and Ginn on my fantasy team. James is the only one worth playing. Imagine thinking that a few years back...
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BuckeyeLiger87
The more I see the less I know
Playing MLB for one of the worst teams in the NFL will get him a bunch of stats, and a lot of expirence.
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Buckskin86
Moderator
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
James Laurinaitis of the St. Louis Rams returns an interception against the Minnesota Vikings at the Edward Jones Dome on Oct. 11, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri.
In Sunday's game against the Vikings, the St. Louis Rams started three players who played their high school football in Minnesota.
Craig Dahl hailed from Mankato East. Adam Goldberg played for Edina. And James Laurinaitis from Wayzata.
Laurinaitis was a stand out for the Trojans before he hit the big years playing for Ohio State.
And on Sunday, he put one in the memory bank -- an interception against Brett Favre as a rookie starter.
He realized long ago it's OK to dream big.
"I remember my freshman year, by the time I was a senior, I wanted to be an All-American and maybe win The Bucket. I thought I was shooting for the moon there," he said. "A lot that came when I was a sophomore."
Working towards big goals can make you re-evaluate your dreams -- and sometimes even make you realize they're more attainable than a dream, Laurinaitis said.
"I'll shoot for the moon, just like I did in college," he said. "I'll say I want to be a Pro Bowler, All-Pro, win a Super Bowl, all of that. Because I think if you that aim that high, the worst you're going to do is coming up short and being a pretty good player."
Wayzata Alum Laurinaitis Shoots For The Moon - wcco.com
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Buckskin86
Moderator
Rookie Focus: LB Laurinatis offers hope for struggling Rams
By Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY
By Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images
Rams LB James Laurinaitis leads all rookies with 40 solo tackles.
The only hope for the long-suffering St. Louis Rams, losers of a franchise-record 17 consecutive games with seven of those coming this season, is a massive rebuilding effort constructed largely around top young talent.
If nothing else, Rams fans can be encouraged by the emergence of linebacker James Laurinaitis, the team's second-round draft choice and the 35th player taken overall. Laurinaitis, whose father, Joe, was a pro wrestler known as "the Animal" of the Legion of Doom, is staying true to his bloodlines in the way he pounds opponents.
He is pacing all rookies with 40 solo tackles, and 49 total trails only the Houston Texans' Brian Cushing (56) among first-year players. He leads St. Louis in both categories to go with two interceptions that he returned for 28 yards and one fumble recovery.
USA TODAY takes a closer look at Laurinaitis:
THE PLAYER
? Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 244.
? Hometown: Plymouth, Minn.
? College highlights: Started the last 39 of his 51 games at Ohio State. Ranks seventh in school history with 375 tackles. Led team in tackles for three consecutive seasons, the fourth player in Buckeyes history to accomplish that. Seventh player in school history to be elected captain twice in career.
? Scouting report: Intelligent performer who plays with a high motor. Has a knack for being around the ball but it's not by chance. Develops thorough knowledge of every opponent. Raises level of those around him with his intensity. Lack of great athleticism hurts him at times. Needs to be more of a threat as a pass rusher.
? Quotable: "We're seeing the things we thought when we drafted him. He's a smart football player, he's tough, he can run real well." ?Rams first-year coach Steve Spagnuolo
THE PERSON
? I knew I was in the NFL: "When I saw Steven Jackson run the ball in practice and saw what a specimen of a running back he is. It was like, 'Wow, I really am in the NFL.' "
? Biggest adjustment: "The overall talent. Coming out of Ohio State, we played teams with good talent but there were always weeks when you played non-conference teams and you knew if you made a wrong read, it would be OK. In the NFL, you've got none of that."
? Best advice: "My dad always told me, 'Today's preparation is tomorrow's success.' "
? Role model: "My father was a great role model as far as how to handle work and family. He always left work at work. He taught me a lot about work ethic and how to be a father."
? Father as pro wrestler: "It was fun. It was cool. My father did everything he could in his profession to be at the top. He taught me about striving and doing your best at whatever you do. He had nine surgeries from something people call fake."
? Greatest strength: "For me, it's the little things off the field. I try to do as much as I can taking care of my body, studying the game plan."
? Greatest weakness: "I don't know how to work that. I try to have a positive mindset."
? Rams future: "I really think everything coach Spagnuolo and his coaching staff are doing is on point. They have a winning attitude and mindset. I see a bunch of passionate football players who are not giving up on any play."
? Life after football: "I guarantee you it will have something to do with football. I want to give back what I learned to young kids."
? NFL dream: "I would hope people would look back at my career and say, 'This is a guy who truly loved football and won and lot of Super Bowls.' Teams and people get remembered by rings."
Rookie Focus: LB Laurinatis offers hope for struggling Rams - USATODAY.com
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