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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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SNIPER26;1060399; said:
What did everyone think of Laurinaitis' performance last night? He sure racked up the tackles (around 20?) but to me it seemed as if a lot of them were way after the LOS. Rather quiet for me, but what does everyone think? Don't flame me because I said James had a mediocre game, if you disagree tell me why.
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I'll chime in by saying what's already been said. Laurinaitis had the type of game that is typical from a productive linebacker when his D-line is getting consistently outplayed by the opponent's O-line: a very high number of tackles, most of them coming at the tail end of a 4-6 yard gain.
 
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Sportsbuck28;1061207; said:
So what does that mean about Spielman's 29 tackles against scUM in '86?
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Its funny you mention that because I was just thinking how the past 2 years on defense have reminded me so much of the late 80's. Those of you old enough to remember know what I mean.

UF, Illinois and LSU left me with that old familiar they-can't-get-off-the-field-unless-the-other-team-makes-a-mistake feeling. The only difference between now and then is that only the good teams/the right offense can do that to us, the average teams cannot. In the late 80's, overall, our D was an equal opportunity sieve.
 
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SNIPER26;1060399; said:
What did everyone think of Laurinaitis' performance last night? He sure racked up the tackles (around 20?) but to me it seemed as if a lot of them were way after the LOS. Rather quiet for me, but what does everyone think? Don't flame me because I said James had a mediocre game, if you disagree tell me why.
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To be honest, I agree that James had better games this year. There were times where I was thinking he had been in better position on similar plays during the regular season. Other times, LSU's scheme had him out of position (but they didn't fool him twice with anything they did).

Other factors were:
  1. Their #74 was holding him pretty egregiously early on. JL was running to catch up with Hester at one point and his shoulders were turned almost 180 degrees away from the ball by an uncalled hold.
  2. Their #74 is really good. Later on he wasn't holding so much as he was just occupying JL and James wasn't getting off the block as fast as he did earlier in the year.
Jaxbuck;1061212; said:
Its funny you mention that because I was just thinking how the past 2 years on defense have reminded me so much of the late 80's. Those of you old enough to remember know what I mean.

UF, Illinois and LSU left me with that old familiar they-can't-get-off-the-field-unless-the-other-team-makes-a-mistake feeling. The only difference between now and then is that only the good teams/the right offense can do that to us, the average teams cannot. In the late 80's, overall, our D was an equal opportunity sieve.
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Shame on you for reminding me of the nightmare that was my time as an OSU student. I was there for all of Spielman's years, and for an LB that good to have played on defenses that bad is a crime against Woody.
 
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Well I saw parts of the game and James really didn't impress me that much. He seems to be smart/plays with instinct and flowed to the ball well but played more like a safety (not aggressive enough) and the his coverage seems average at best. He doesn't seem to shed blocks too well, LSU's guards swallowed him a few times. Well it seems like his stock dropped from what i saw he doesn't seem like he is what we need, he would sit in our bench for a about year to be ready.:( He will provably go before the 20th pick. On the other hand Gholston is a monster I think he might be an excellent Outside linebacker for the Pats, he is going to be a nightmare on the NFL wherever he goes.:wink2: Also, your QB gave me nightmares he has no idea how to feel the pressure and Jenkins wasn't as impressive as I heard he was, I guess it was just a bad game over all for you guys, better luck next year.:biggrin:
 
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PatsDynasty;1061342; said:
Well I saw parts of the game and James really didn't impress me that much. He seems to be smart/plays with instinct and flowed to the ball well but played more like a safety (not aggressive enough) and the his coverage seems average at best. He doesn't seem to shed blocks too well, LSU's guards swallowed him a few times. Well it seems like his stock dropped from what i saw he doesn't seem like he is what we need, he would sit in our bench for a about year to be ready.:( He will provably go before the 20th pick. On the other hand Gholston is a monster I think he might be an excellent Outside linebacker for the Pats, he is going to be a nightmare on the NFL wherever he goes.:wink2: Also, your QB gave me nightmares he has no idea how to feel the pressure and Jenkins wasn't as impressive as I heard he was, I guess it was just a bad game over all for you guys, better luck next year.:biggrin:
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Your insight is astounding...have these.
 
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couple things.....

I agree with your assesment of animal partly... I think he did play too tentative, and yes he did have big time trouble shedding blocks. Also I agree with what you think of Boeckman as well he does have trouble wit pocket presence.

However, I don't agree with what you said about Malcom Jenkins. He's used incorrectly thats why he wasn't as effective as we made him out to be. the coaches had him at saftey a lot this year, and considering he's a pure corner it baffles me why he's playing saftey.
 
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No explanation, but here's a pic for clarification:

071103_wisc_img_4009-vi.jpg
 
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Not enough conviction in the Animal's game... he needs to be more disruptive if he comes back to OSU or if he goes pro... He's a great athlete and probably the best cover LB in the country.. but he doesnt eat up the run like you would want your MLB to do, and he doesnt shed blockers like you absolutely have to do at that position..

Not enough "sticks" at the LOS or TFLs for me to include James in the category with the best OSU LBs of all time...

I would like to see James flow to the ball better, refuse to get tangled with FBs and Olinemen, and would love to see him hit a man in a hole and not have the guy fall forward 2 yards.. Most his tackles in the NC were 3-5 yards downfield, with Hester falling forward an extra yard or two..

I want my OSU LBs to hit a RB in the mouth and stop his progress.. not hit the man, get knocked back and then wrap up his legs for the tackle as he falls forward for additional yardage..

I know James is predicted in these mocks to go Top 10.. but I really feel he could benefit from another year in college
 
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