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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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Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston raves about James Laurinaitis
Sunday, September 16, 2007Bill LivingstonPlain Dealer Columnist
Seattle

-- Because of the spotlight that has followed him like a flame follows a struck match, James Laurinaitis should be basking in his fame.

Look at the lineage. He is the son of professional wrestler Joe Laurinaitis -- the "Animal," the "Road Warrior." Ever since Gorgeous George, professional wrestling has put more of a premium on personality than pins. It wasn't just show business, it was business as a one-man show.

James Laurinaitis should be part of the cult of celebrity. You know, like Brian Bosworth was. "The Boz" trash-talked his way into becoming a national fad a generation ago at Oklahoma. Like a pet rock or a hula hoop, he didn't last. But everybody knew his name for a time.
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cleveland.com: Everything Cleveland
 
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Link

Buckeyes' "lucky" linebacker creates much misfortune

By Greg Bishop
Seattle Times staff reporter



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Ohio State's James Laurinaitis had eight tackles, two interceptions and a sack Saturday.



James Laurinaitis walked barefoot to his interviews ? no socks, no shoes, and apparently no celebrating, either. The Ohio State middle linebacker, the All-American antidote to Jake Locker's savior sauce, plopped down in a seat.
So much to discuss: eight tackles, two interceptions, one sack. So many questions asked: about his team, about his famous pro-wrestling father, about even the shifty Locker on this particular Saturday afternoon.
There remained one subject, though, that Laurinaitis refused to touch. Himself.
"Lucky" is how he described his day.
On Saturday afternoon, Locker sliced and scrambled and slung his way to 255 total yards against an Ohio State defense touted as one of the nation's best. The difference between the seven points the Huskies scored in the first three quarters and, say, 10 to 14 more, was two plays made by Laurinaitis

Continued.....
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Morning Journal

Laurinaitis always seems to be in right place at right time
JASON LLOYD, Morning Journal Writer
09/17/2007




SEATTLE -- James Laurinaitis' philosophy for playing defense is simple. Earn the trust of his teammates, play where he's supposed to be and good things will happen.


To this point, it has worked perfectly.

Cont...
 
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I will admit this yet again, but I was completely NOT sold on James coming into last season. Granted, I'm not sure how I could make a solid assessment based upon 2 games, but I was not a believer.

Last year, James played so well last year and one of the things he surprised me with the most was his quickness and his hand speed and soft hands. James displayed that again on Saturday. Both of his INTs were quite difficult and requires someone with excellent reactions and soft hands.

So glad to have James on the team and thankful to be proved wrong for the 1,000,000th time.
 
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As expected, James Laurinaitis has been named the Big Ten (co) Defensive Player of the Week.

Laurinaitis picked off a pair of passes for the first time in his career and added a team-high eight tackles, including a crucial sack, to lead Ohio State to a road victory at previously unbeaten Washington. With the Buckeyes holding a 3-0 lead and the Huskies facing a third-and-goal at the five-yard line, the junior linebacker recorded his first interception to stop a potential scoring drive. After Washington took a 7-3 lead at the half, the hosts took the opening kickoff of the third quarter and drove within field goal range. On third down at the OSU 24-yard line, Laurinaitis picked up a five-yard sack to force a longer field goal attempt, which was blocked by the Buckeyes. Two plays later Ohio State completed a long scoring pass to retake the lead and scored on its next possession to build the advantage to 17-7. Washington again drove into Buckeyes territory looking to inch closer, only to see Laurinaitis pick off his second pass of the day at OSU's 22-yard line. The 2006 consensus All-American picks up the second weekly accolade of his career after being honored on Sept. 11, 2006.
LAST OHIO STATE DEFENSIVE POW: DB Antonio Smith on Oct. 23, 2006
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DDN

OSU linebacker, Indiana quarterback honored

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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

PARK RIDGE, Ill. ? Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis was named the Big Ten's co-defensive player of the week after intercepting two passes and registering eight tackles and one sack in a 33-14 win at Washington on Saturday.
The junior All-American picked up the second player-of-the-week accolade of his career, having been honored after the Texas game last season.



Cont..
 
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Quotes from James after practice yesterday.

official.site

James Laurinaitis, junior linebacker

On Donald Washington being Ohio State?s defensive player of the game against Washington

?Donald definitely deserved that. He?s one of the most underrated players in the country. He played a phenomenal game [against Washington].?

On the defensive line

?Our defensive line has been phenomenal. Everyone across the board has been putting pressure on the quarterback.?

On improving the defense

?We dropped two interceptions, and we could have forced fumbles. There is always something that you can do better.?

On starting the Big Ten season

?You have to be ready when playing in the Big Ten. It is a totally different brand of football.?

On Northwestern

?They have a tough team. Offensively, their backs are strong and fast.?
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Dispatch

Family keeps defender in check

Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:43 AM
By Ken Gordon


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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Neal C. Lauron | DISPATCH
Junior linebacker James Laurinaitis leads Ohio State with 22 tackles and two interceptions, but his parents still push him to greater heights.



What did Julie Laurinaitis think of her son's game at Washington last week? The one in which James, an Ohio State linebacker, snagged two interceptions, a sack and eight tackles?
"She said, 'Great game, but the quarterback blew right by you on that one run,' " James Laurinaitis said, laughing. "She always knocks me back down to make sure I stay hungry."
From her suburban Minneapolis home, Julie takes full credit for that dig and recalls another she added in the same conversation.

Continued.....
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