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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 at 2012 Spring game.....

12-04-21-FB-0262-DH.jpg
 
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Rams coach Jeff Fisher expects MLB James Laurinaitis to benefit from the team's addition of first-round DT Michael Brockers.
Brockers is massive and long, and the Rams will count on him to tie up blockers so that Laurinaitis runs free. "He's what you want in a defensive tackle," said Fisher of Brockers. "Especially in our division with the downhill runs. One person I know that's smiling right now is James Laurinaitis." Laurinaitis could see a production bump if Brockers pans out as St. Louis envisions. Apr 27
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http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5220/james-laurinaitis
 
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St. Louis Rams James Laurinaitis Just Keeps Getting Better
by Ryan Van Bibber on May 21, 2012

ST. LOUIS, MO -

St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis has been one constant in the team's defense since being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He is one of the young cornerstones and a leader of the team's unit. He also happens to be very good, as well as having one thick neck. According to the number crunchers at Pro Football Focus, Lauiniaits had the third best single game performance of any 4-3 inside linebacker last season.

JL's big game came in Week 11 against the hated Seattle Seahawks. St. Louis blew a 7-0 first quarter lead in what ultimately turned into a 24-7 loss. A three-sack performance from Chris Clemons had a lot to do with the final score.

As for Laurinaitis, he was a rock against the run, despite so-so support from the other parts of the defense. PFF gave him a 5.5 for the game. Here's their take on JL's big day:

If we're being completely open, 2011 wasn't the best year for Laurinaitis. You could never say he was low on talent, but the consistency just wasn't there in a struggling Rams outfit. That makes it all the more encouraging (or frustrating depending on your perspective) when you see how well he played in Week 11. He was a well-oiled tackling machine, showing a real nose for the ball carrier. Laurinaitis picked up a tackle for a loss, made six tackles for less than 2 yards, and even brought on the kicking unit with a third-down stop in coverage. It's what he can do, and what the new coaching staff will be hoping he does more of in 2012.

A big part of what they call inconsistency from Laurinaitis has to do with the overall quality of the Rams' defensive play last season. Too often blockers were brushing aside the defensive tackles and getting to the second level. He was also having to help cover up for weaknesses in run defense on the edges of the field.

Another positive sign in Laurinaitis' season between 2010 and 2011 is how much better he was in coverage. He earned a 6.8 grade from PFF for coverage last season, up from basically being even the last two seasons. Better play from the defensive line and corners stronger in run support will be a big help.
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http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/5/21/3035012/st-louis-rams-james-laurinaitis
 
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James Laurinaitis, Chris Long Rams extension talks started

NFL.com
Published: June 9, 2012

The St. Louis Rams have begun contract extension talks with key components of the team's defensive unit James Laurinaitis and Chris Long, according to the Rams' vice president of football operations and chief operating officer Kevin Demoff.

"We're in the process of starting initial conversations with both players, and I'm optimistic that both will wear the horns for years to come," the executive said during a live chat on the Rams' official website. "We have plenty of cap room in 2013 and the plan is to re-sign both of them."

Demoff noted that for the past several years the team has been clearing cap space to make sure St. Louis would be able to resign their core players.

Last season, Laurinitais collected 142 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions in his third year in the league for the Rams.
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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...aitis-chris-long-rams-extension-talks-started
 
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High praise for LB Laurinaitis from McGinnis: 'He's perfect for this scheme'
June 14, 2012 by Ron Clements

Assistant Dave McGinnis on LB James Laurinaitis: ?He's the perfect middle linebacker for this defense. The ultimate linebacker for this defense when it starting evolving was Mike Singletary. I was with Mike for 11 years. The quarterback of the defense is the middle linebacker. In this system, he has to be so in tune and right in the defensive coach's skin. He has to understand it and know it from a lot of different angles. We could not have asked for a more perfect middle linebacker to install this system than James Laurinaitis. He's exactly what you need.?
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http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/post/19353193
 
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McGinnis' praise for Laurinaitis comes as no surprise. Laurinaitis was well established as a rising young player. But how would he fit in coach Jeff Fisher's specific defense? McGinnis, the assistant head coach and a long-time Fisher associate, answered the question emphatically:

He's perfect. He?s the perfect middle linebacker for this defense. The ultimate linebacker for this defense when it started evolving was Mike Singletary. I was with Mike Singletary for seven years. The quarterback of the defense is the middle linebacker and in this system, he has to be so in tune -- I mean, he has to be right in the defensive coaches' skin. He has to understand it and know it from a lot of different angles.

"We could not have asked for a more perfect middle linebacker to install this system than James Laurinaitis. I remember watching him come out. I interviewed him at the combine when he came out and I loved him then and I love him even more now because he?s exactly what you need."
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http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/59680/two-players-the-rams-new-staff-really-likes
 
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James Laurinaitis could have Pro Bowl in his future
By Brian McIntyre
Around the League writer
Published: July 8, 2012

The Rams might not be playoff-bound, but James Laurinaitis could be playing football in January.

St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis has amassed 376 tackles (leading the team in tackles in each season) with eight sacks and five interceptions over his first three seasons in the NFL. That's impressive production from a "Mike" linebacker playing with a revolving cast of characters at the other two 'backer spots, a group that has included Brady Poppinga, Chris Chamberlain, Ben Leber, David Vobora, Larry Grant, Na'il Diggs and Terry Tate. (Okay, that last one I made up.)

Laurinaitis, whose official playing-time documents show has missed just three Rams' defensive snaps in his career (and none last season), will have new faces playing alongside of and in front of him this season.

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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...laurinaitis-could-have-pro-bowl-in-his-future

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXENOqrjG2E"]James Laurinaitis And His Childhood - YouTube[/ame]
 
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Interestingly enough, Rams coach Jeff Fisher acknowledged the Rams are working on ?more? deals. He was undoubtedly referring to contract talks with MLB James Laurinaitis. Don?t be shocked if that?s done sooner than later.
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On Laurinaitis, he says he has lost weight down to about 245 pounds, closer to what he played at in college in an effort to, as he says, be able to ?run all day.? There are a lot more elements of the Cover 2 defense of past years and Laurinaitis will have to do more deep coverage work. The lost weight is in anticipation of that. Like Mughelli, I?ll have more on Laurinaitis in the next couple of days. He says he?s not worried about his contract and made it a point that today is ?Chris? day.?
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http://blog.stlouisrams.com/2012/07/30/first-practice-in-the-books/
 
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Rams turn attention to re-signing Laurinaitis
St. Louis Rams Training Camp
BY JIM THOMAS ? [email protected]

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Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis during St. Louis Rams training camp on Monday, July 30, 2012, at Rams Park in Earth City, Mo. Photo by Chris Lee, [email protected]

Now that defensive end Chris Long is locked up with a new deal, can James Laurinaitis be far behind? Probably not. The fourth-year linebacker from Ohio State is next in line for a contract extension, and talks are under way between the Rams and Laurinaitis' St. Louis-based agent, Tom Condon of CAA.

"Tom mentioned that they're talking, but I don't follow that stuff," Laurinaitis said. "I really try not to focus on that. I just go and play football and if anything happens, Tom will let me know."

Long was relieved to have his contract status settled before the start of the season. Laurinaitis said it's not a big deal for him, either way.

"What's important to me is just being accountable to my teammates, making sure I play to the best of my ability and that those other guys in that locker room know they can depend on me out on the field," he said. "That's the only thing that matters to me. The rest can take care of itself."

Long signed his new deal Monday. Like Long before his deal, Laurinaitis is scheduled for unrestricted free agency after this season. The contract movement on Long and Laurinaitis shows:

? The Rams don't plan on sitting on all that salary cap money they will have in 2013.

? Long and Laurinaitis fit into coach Jeff Fisher's long-term plans as cornerstone defensive players, otherwise the team wouldn't have made the financial commitment to Long and wouldn't be attempting to do the same with Laurinaitis.

"Yeah, it's a great thing," Laurinaitis said. "I couldn't be more proud of Chris. Everything he has gotten, he deserves. (There were) a lot of expectations on him being drafted where he was. He deserves every penny. He's matured a lot even since I've been here. It was a good thing for the Rams to extend him. And (he) ... can kind of relax and go play football."

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http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_3bfcc1b7-f134-5d12-8953-0257673cb3ae.html
James Laurinaitis focused on play
Updated: July 31, 2012
Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- The toughest task for James Laurinaitis on Day 2 of St. Louis Rams training camp came off the practice field.

The rugged middle linebacker's comfort zone has increased this summer, with his father and sister moving to St. Louis. But he found his squirming 15-month-old nephew Jacob a little too much to handle while talking with reporters, finally handing off the toddler.

"He was helping grab the mike, that's for sure," Laurinaitis said Monday. "He loves Uncle James. Don't you, bud?"

So does his team. A day after Chris Long agreed to a new contract that will keep the defensive end with St. Louis for five more seasons, the franchise shifted its focus to locking up the player who has led the team in tackles all three of his seasons.

Laurinaitis was happy for Long, who led the Rams with 13 sacks last season, saying it was good to see a player who didn't seek attention get rewarded.

He's paying zero attention to his own negotiations, adding he'll let his play do the talking, and let his agent take care of such matters.

"The last time I talked to Tom Condon it was 'Hey, good luck in camp, just go out there and do what you do,' " Laurinaitis said. "I've got enough to worry about without making a mental error.

"That stuff will take care of itself."

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http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8216226/st-louis-rams-lb-james-laurinaitis-not-worried-new-deal
 
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