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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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DDN

OSU's Laurinaitis makes first-team All-America again

Buckeyes' Gholston, Jenkins, Barton named to second, third teams.


Staff Report

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Ohio State junior linebacker James Laurinaitis picked up another accolade Tuesday by being named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press.
The Butkus Award-winner leads the nation's stingiest defense with 103 tackles, including 8.5 for loss. He was named to several All-America teams last year and has a chance to become OSU's eighth three-time honoree next year, if he doesn't leave for the NFL.



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ESPN

13 Ohio State juniors fill out paperwork to gauge draft interest
The Associated Press
December 13, 2007

Linebackers James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, quarterback Todd Boeckman, defensive lineman Vernon Gholston, cornerback Malcolm Jenkins and wide receivers Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline confirmed they had sent information to the NFL.

"Last year there were a lot of distractions with some of the guys who were already seniors leaving, with agents and different things," Laurinaitis said. "LSU's a big enough task for us."

Laurinaitis, a two-time All-American and a probable first-round pick, has said several times during the season he will return for his senior season. He said his decision to file the paperwork does not mean he's changed his mind.

"I'm just finding out what the NFL's going to say about where I stand," he said. "I'm definitely confident coming back with this team. I love Ohio State, I love it here and I'm having a good time."
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It is a good sign that Laurinaitis wants to stay, but unfortunately it gets tempting some times. I guess we will have to wait another month or so to really find out.
 
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Buckeyedynasty;1027931; said:
That's a really good article. I'm hoping he comes back cause it would make the game versus USC next year, a little bit easier.
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I agree, but I still think we have the talent to fulfill his position, of course Spitler maybe not as good as Laurinaitis, but from what I have seen, he has a lot of potential and is not bad.

I think we may see Laurinaitis come back though, which is good, I just hope we can see Jenkins and Gholston do the same, but unfortunately that may not be the case.
 
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CPD

Hits can't tell Laurinaitis' story


Friday, December 14, 2007Bill Livingston
Plain Dealer Columnist
Columbus -- Nothing about the Little Animal is as it seems.
In the same way, little about James Laurinaitis is as Dick Butkus seemed, although Laurinaitis was named the winner of the Butkus Award, symbolic of the nation's best collegiate linebacker.
Laurinaitis' father, Joe, reported to work in spiked shoulder pads, looking like a video game come to life. He was known as The Animal, among other pro wrestling monikers. It certainly elevated his son's profile.




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ESPN - Football Friday

Here is my first post, I hope you enjoy:

I was just watching Football Friday on ESPN (or ESPNews) and Joe Schad (I think it was hiim) was talking about underclassmen leaving for the NFL draft. I see it was mentioned before that Laurinaitis said he's staying, but Schad went further and said his goal was to convince all the other underclassmen to come back. That sounds more like someone that is really set on coming back. I know that can change once the season is over and the temptation to go is there, but I feel a little more confident about him coming back after that. Not to mention he might be able to convince one of the others to come back too!
 
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buckteef;1028608; said:
Here is my first post, I hope you enjoy:

I was just watching Football Friday on ESPN (or ESPNews) and Joe Schad (I think it was hiim) was talking about underclassmen leaving for the NFL draft. I see it was mentioned before that Laurinaitis said he's staying, but Schad went further and said his goal was to convince all the other underclassmen to come back. That sounds more like someone that is really set on coming back. I know that can change once the season is over and the temptation to go is there, but I feel a little more confident about him coming back after that. Not to mention he might be able to convince one of the others to come back too!
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Welcome to the site, great first post. We are all hoping Laurinaitis comes back. Like Buckeneye stated, with Laurinaitis being the leader, he could persuade some others to stay. We are already considered one of the top teams next year, it would be even better if Vern and Jenkins stayed. If you thought our defense was good this year, just wait until next year.
 
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It would be nice if we had a few more guys who followed in Mike
Doss's footsteps (in more ways than one :)) and it seems that a lot of our juniors love their teamates and enjoy college life, but obviously a large paycheck can trump these things.
 
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Link

Humble LB doesn't believe he belongs among Ohio State's greats

12/23/2007, 10:34 a.m. PST

By RUSTY MILLER

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) ? Before he leaves Ohio State ? after one more game or one more season ? James Laurinaitis will undoubtedly rank among the school's top linebackers ever.
This astounds Laurinaitis, the son of a WWE icon who still thinks of himself as a work in progress despite winning the Butkus Award earlier this month and the Nagurski Award a year ago.
"It's unbelievable. It's unbelievable to be mentioned in the same category as A.J. (Hawk) or Chris Spielman," he said during the Buckeyes preparations for their BCS title game showdown with LSU on Jan. 7 in New Orleans. "To be honest, I don't even feel like it's necessary yet. I'm so humbled to even be up for these awards and to think of the past players that have been up for the awards. It's so humbling and such a blessing. I still don't feel like I'm on the same level as those same players."

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Hey Buckeye fans, I am a Patriots fan here with a few questions regarding this monster you guys call James Laurinaitis. So you see it seems that we will be picking somewhere in the top 10 (thanks 49ers) and we have a big need for an Inside linebacker. Unfortunately I do not fallow college football and from what I hear from other fallow Pat fans is that this is the guy that we "need." So the questions being; we run the 3-4, 2 gap system here in New England and Bill Belichick likes linebackers that are very smart and versatile, we rarely draft LBs in the first round because our system is very complicated and thus the players need to be very experienced to able to confuse the QB as much as themselves trying to execute the formations. We currently have Teddy Bruschi and Junior Seau who are at the end of their careers and Adalius Thomas at 270 pounds and lightning speed might move back to OLB. How do you guys see this kid fitting into our defense? Is he a better run stopper or coverage LB? Does he rely just on his athleticism, instincts or smarts? How does he compare to this year's stud rookie ILB Patrick Willis? I have also heard that he might not declare for the draft is this true? Do think he might not even end up in New England? I will read this thread a little more and thanks for your in put.:biggrin:
:osu:
 
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PatsDynasty;1038728; said:
Hey Buckeye fans, I am a Patriots fan here with a few questions regarding this monster you guys call James Laurinaitis. So you see it seems that we will be picking somewhere in the top 10 (thanks 49ers) and we have a big need for an Inside linebacker. Unfortunately I do not fallow college football and from what I hear from other fallow Pat fans is that this is the guy that we "need." So the questions being; we run the 3-4, 2 gap system here in New England and Bill Belichick likes linebackers that are very smart and versatile, we rarely draft LBs in the first round because our system is very complicated and thus the players need to be very experienced to able to confuse the QB as much as themselves trying to execute the formations. We currently have Teddy Bruschi and Junior Seau who are at the end of their careers and Adalius Thomas at 270 pounds and lightning speed might move back to OLB. How do you guys see this kid fitting into our defense? Is he a better run stopper or coverage LB? Does he rely just on his athleticism, instincts or smarts? How does he compare to this year's stud rookie ILB Patrick Willis? I have also heard that he might not declare for the draft is this true? Do think he might not even end up in New England? I will read this thread a little more and thanks for your in put.:biggrin:
:osu:
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James, I feel is a pure MLB. He will not be on the outsides. I feel that his instincts are his highest attribute. You also know he is a quick learner and is very willing to learn as it is well known that he and AJ Hawk (James' fresh yr) had a very good relationship in which Hawk was kind of a teacher for James. Laurinaitis is also seemingly a quick learner as he started in the Michigan game his Fr year and has never looked back.

As for his game in pass/run coverage. I would say he is better suited for stuffing the run, but he is also excellent in coverage as has been demonstrated by his INT totals over the past two years. He is always in the right spots and would cause major havoc in NE. I feel that AJ Hawk had better lateral coverage, but James is a player and will be off the board earlier whichever year he decides to declare.

It is still up in the air as to whether or not he will return, if you look a couple posts above you'll see the what Joe Schad of ESPN had to say about it. His family is not in any financial trouble and he loves OSU and looked up to AJ Hawk.
 
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I couldn't have said it better ryan20. I think he could be the player the Pats need. James is very versatile, he played outside backer a little bit in college, but is more comfortable at middle backer. I am sure he could make the transition from middle to inside linebacker with a little coaching.

James Laurinaitis definitely can be compared with Patrick Willis, but they both played in completely different programs in college. Willis definitely got a lot more playing time. I feel Laurinaitis has the ability to be even better than Willis with the right help. James has great instincts and great athletic ability like ryan20 stated.

It is very true Laurinaitis may not turn pro, as of right now he says that his desire is to stay at Ohio State one more season. But, you never know what will happen when a player is moments away from being a millionaire. It also depends on how well his individual performance and how well the team performance is in the national championship game. A lot of people think if we win the national title then he will leave, but if we lose he will stay. My guess is as good as yours right now on what his decision will be, there are just more factors that make it seem like he will stay.

If Laurinaitis does go pro, there is a very good possibility he could end up in New England. He would be the ideal replacement for Bruschi. Probably as much as you would like him to go to the Patriots and as much as I would like him to come back to Ohio State one more year, he will make the best choice depending on what he feels right.
 
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