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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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Gophers: Toughest of a tough crowd
James Laurinaitis is carrying the dynamic presence once supplied by an electric Ohio State offense.

By Chip Scoggins, Star Tribune
Last update: September 28, 2007 ? 9:57 PM

The lasting image from Ohio State's 2006 season was not the 12-0 start, Troy Smith's Heisman Trophy campaign, James Laurinaitis' breakout season or the Game of the Century victory against rival Michigan. No, the thing that burned in the memory was the sight of Florida running roughshod over the Buckeyes in a 41-14 thrashing in the national championship game. "It was not a good showing by us, obviously," Laurinaitis said. "It was an embarrassment for us and the Big Ten the way we performed. But that was last year. This is a different season, a different team." Different everything, except one thing. Ohio State is still a ridiculously talented team.
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"He's one of those guys who has a knack [for the ball]," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "He has a calmness about him that he can slow the game down and just see what's happening and then react accordingly."

Laurinaitis admits he feels different this season. As many big plays as he made a year ago, he feels more confident and aware of his surroundings. He is reacting more than thinking, which is a big step in any player's development.

Laurinaitis is eligible to enter the NFL draft next spring, but he said he isn't thinking that far ahead. He insists he's having too much fun right now to focus on anything else.

"Things have really slowed down for me," he said. "Last year I was focused on getting lined up and directing the defense. This year I have a lot more confidence and I'm just playing."
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"We know they have some firepower," Laurinaitis said.

So do the Buckeyes. That's one thing that didn't change.

"We knew we had talent inside our locker room," Laurinaitis said. "I think a lot of guys looked at this season as an opportunity to make a name for themselves. It's great to see those guys step up and make the most of their opportunity."
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Gophers: Toughest of a tough crowd
 
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OSU linebacker James Laurinaitis was close to staying home and playing for Minnesota
Saturday, September 29, 2007Doug LesmerisesPlain Dealer Reporter
Columbus -- Imagine James Laurinaitis on the worst defense in college football. First-year Minnesota coach Tim Brewster fantasizes about it.

"I'd be lying to you if I [told] you I didn't dream about him playing in maroon and gold," Brewster told reporters in Minnesota this week, to the slight embarrassment of Ohio State's junior middle linebacker.

"I think it's nice to have that kind of respect," Laurinaitis said. "I'm glad it wasn't a comment like, I'm glad he's not here.' "

When the No. 8 Buckeyes visit the Metrodome tonight, they'll enter with the No. 2-ranked defense in the nation, while the Golden Gophers have the 119th, and last. Sounds like a job for the "Little Animal," right? Even Laurinaitis, who originally gave an oral commitment to the Gophers in the spring of his junior year before choosing the Buckeyes in December of his senior year, couldn't change that all by himself.

"One player can make a tremendous difference on any team if the other pieces are there," said former Minnesota coach Glen Mason, the coach who thought he had Laurinaitis in 2004. "I've got a sneaking suspicion Ohio State's defense as a team would have been pretty good without James Laurinaitis, but because he's a really good player, they're a little bit better.

"Would he have taken us from a lower-half defensive team to the top defensive team? No, that wouldn't have happened. Brian Urlacher wouldn't have done that."
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Joe Laurinaitis, his father, cited what he felt was a personality conflict with Mason and the departure of Gophers defensive coordinator Greg Hudson. According to Joe Laurinaitis, Hudson told the family he'd be staying at Minnesota, but shortly after left to East Carolina. Hudson did not return a phone message.

So Laurinaitis visited Ohio State, met fellow recruits such as current Buckeyes Spitler, Todd Denlinger, Malcolm Jenkins, Anderson Russell and Rob Schoenhoft, and found a home.

"I stood on the 50-yard line in Ohio Stadium with him and saw his eyes," Joe Laurinaitis said, "and I knew he wanted to play ball there before he opened his mouth."
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cleveland.com: Everything Cleveland
 
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No posts in 10 days? Shame on us!

Just went back to watch the PU game off my DVR. When the camera shows first Ben Person, then JL stepping off the bus at the very beginning of the broadcast, do yourself a favor and watch the look on Lil' Animal's face. I watched 3 times. He is like a man on a mission, a gladiator heading for his coliseum. I got so damn excited! Makes you feel bad for the other guys once in awhile.
 
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schwab;954517; said:
No posts in 10 days? Shame on us!

Just went back to watch the PU game off my DVR. When the camera shows first Ben Person, then JL stepping off the bus at the very beginning of the broadcast, do yourself a favor and watch the look on Lil' Animal's face. I watched 3 times. He is like a man on a mission, a gladiator heading for his coliseum. I got so damn excited! Makes you feel bad for the other guys once in awhile.
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He looked a lot like Troy did last year before games. Both exude confidence.
 
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Hip pointer is what I heard. I'm an athletic trainer and if that is the proper diagnosis, though not serious, can be a lingering issue. That term "hip pointer" is used very loosely though. Sounds more like a contusion or hip strain from the report and how it happened.
:oh::io:
 
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Sounds like he'll be ready. I posted this in Anderson's thread but I'l link it here too. Link

Junior middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, who sat out the second half after suffering a hip pointer last week, was expected to practice today, the coach said, and Russell might just take part in some of the drills.
"I?d expect both of them to be full speed and ready to go" by game time, said Tressel,
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Congrats to James on being named a Butkus semi-finalist.

official.site

ORLANDO - The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc. (DACO), the organization which annually presents the prestigious Butkus Award to the nation's best collegiate linebacker, has announced the 10 semi-finalists for this year's award.

Dan Connor - Penn State
Shawn Crable - Michigan
Jordon Dizon - Colorado
Erin Henderson - Maryland
Ali Highsmith - LSU
[URL="https://admin.xosn.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87743&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1059421"]James Laurinaitis[/URL] - Ohio State
J Leman - Illinois
Ben Moffitt - South Florida
Keith Rivers - USC
Wesley Woodyard - Kentucky


This list will be cut down to three finalists and announced on Thursday, November 9. The winner will be announced in December in Orlando, FL. The independent Butkus Award Selection Committee for the 2007 Butkus Award, comprised of some of the nation's foremost journalists, is solely and exclusively responsible for all voting in the Butkus Award selection process. Voting for the three finalists and the Butkus Award winner will be conducted by exclusive confidential ballots of the Selection Committee.

Cont'd ...
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Congrats to James for also being named a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award.

rotarylombardiaward

38th Rotary Lombardi Award Semifinalists Announced

The 12 semifinalists for the 38th Rotary Lombardi Award were announced tonight at the award?s Kickoff Reception in Houston.

Four offensive players and eight defensive players were named. The Big 10 Conference leads the pack with four players, followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with three, the Pac 10 with two and the Big 12, Big East and SEC Conferences with one each. The 12 semifinalists are:

Xavier Adibi, Linebacker, Virginia Tech

Sam Baker, Offensive Tackle, USC

Calais Campbell, Defensive End, University of Miami

Dan Connor, Linebacker, Penn State

Glenn Dorsey, Defensive Tackle, LSU

James Laurinaitis, Linebacker, Ohio State

J Leman, Linebacker, University of Illinois

Chris Long, Defensive End, University of Virginia

Jake Long, Offensive Lineman, University of Michigan

Alex Mack, Center, University of California

Duke Robinson, Offensive Lineman, University of Oklahoma

George Selvie, Defensive End, University of South Florida
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