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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 proving his chops at NFL level
BY ROGER HENSLEY | Posted: Wednesday, September 29, 2010

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In just his second season, James Laurinaitis is already establishing himself as the leader of the Rams defense. (David Carson | [email protected])

QUESTION: Do you think James Laurinaitis has the tools to become an elite LB in the NFL?

JIM THOMAS

There?s no doubt. Laurinaitis has good range, good instincts, and a football mentality to go along with leadership skills and a strong work ethic in terms of preparation. Sure, there are things he needs to work on. But in order to gain recognition, the Rams need to win more games.

BILL COATS

No question. He has the physical attributes ? good size and decent speed. Perhaps most important, he?s smart and really studies the opposition. That?s crucial for a middle linebacker, since he makes the alignment calls on defense.

JEFF GORDON

He is already a very good middle linebacker and an emerging team leader. He shored up this team?s run defense as a rookie and took off from there. His development allows this defense to move him around and use him in a variety of ways. He must continue his improvement in pass coverage to become an elite linebacker, but he appears to be well on the way to that.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of ?Sports Open Line? on KMOX)

I suppose it depends on how you define ?elite.? For the purposes of this discussion I?ll define it as a player who makes multiple Pro Bowls and by that definition I do think Laurinaitis will be an elite linebacker.

He has the size and athletic ability necessary to be an impact player at his position and more importantly he?s a composed, committed leader on the defense. Laurinaitis is one of those guys who appears to have been born a linebacker. Everything about him fits the position.
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http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/round-two/article_fb794952-cbe7-11df-acbe-0017a4a78c22.html
 
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I was not happy when the Bengals passed on James in favor of Rey Mauluga. Mauluga made more "highlight" plays in college, but he also made more mistakes. So far, Rey's big play ability that supposedly shot him ahead of James has been laking in The League.

The Bengals need discipline on defense and that is where James is light years ahead of Rey.
 
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From what I remember James was taken ahead of Rey.

Edit: Yep, found the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft

Round 2 Pick 35 St. Louis Rams James Laurinaitis LB Ohio State Big Ten
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Round 2 Pick 38 Cincinnati Bengals Rey Maualuga LB USC Pac-10
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Only reason I remember that is because I was watching it with a USC fan and I laughed in his face.
 
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Power Struggle - James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins
Story: Jason Ohlson | Intro: Annie Beecham

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James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins have left big shoes to fill at alma mater Ohio State University as they transition from NCAA to NFL this fall. Two of the highest picks in the 2009 draft (Jenkins was a first round pick, fourteenth overall, Laurinaitis was a second round pick, thirty-fifth overall), the former Buckeyes acquired a glittering collection of trophies, accolades, awards and titles during their four-year reign. The three-time All-Americans were regarded as two of the nation?s top defensive players: Laurinaitis was awarded the Butkus Award for the nation?s best linebacker and Jenkins was the recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation?s best defensive back, among a number of other prestigious honors.

Laurinaitis and Jenkins were interviewed separately, but asked the same questions. While the two have individual nuances, life experiences and quirks?Jenkins is a leading member of his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, Laurinaitis comes from a lineage of WWE wrestlers?what is strikingly clear from their interviews is that they possess that universal something that takes an athlete from good to great, and eventually, to phenomenal. Each mentions passion, faith, family and competitiveness as valued traits. But perhaps the most important idea that both athletes discuss is self-sacrifice: putting their social lives on hold to squeeze in two-hour workouts between classes, sending their bodies through hell to become stronger, faster, leaner machines. And they did it all without complaining. They did it because they have the heart and that indefinable whatever-it-is: that mystery quality that it seems only the highest tier of athletes share like a whispered secret.
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http://www.columbusmag.com/section-coverstory-article.php?id=966
 
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