Prospecting: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

by Ed Valentine on Feb 13, 2009 7:00 AM EST in New York Giants News

James Laurinaitis

In our first two 'prospecting' posts, we have looked at wide receivers Kenny Britt and Darius Heyward-Bey. Today, let's look at a player who could fill a need for the Giants on the defensive side.

Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis.

From Scout.com.

Laurinaitis is an instinctive playmaker who possesses great tackling ability. He brings the complete package to the field and is a true competitor. He's an aggressive force who can shed blocks and he has a nose for the ball. He's an excellent tackler who displays great technique. He anticipates the action extremely well and seems to always be in position to make a play.

From Football's Future.

Laurinaitis is an excellent middle linebacker prospect, that should have very little problem making an impact early in the NFL. He is a complete player that does not take a down off, and can make an impact in every facet of the game. ... With his all around skills, it is difficult to find a fault in his game. ... Laurinaitis could have been a high first round pick last year had he declared, but he chose to return to college. Depth at the LB position is the biggest issue with Laurinaitis’ draft stock this year. It is a deep draft inside and out, but that could result in someone getting a steal if he falls too far.

Laurinaitis is an intriguing name to keep an eye on. Much of our talk in recent weeks has been about finding an eventual successor to Antonio Pierce. Could Laurinaitis be the guy? He is also enticing because most reports indicate a belief that Laurinaitis could also slide into an outside position without much difficulty.

I have seen Laurinaitis compared favorably with Paul Posluszny of the Buffalo Bills, who had 110 tackles this season.

I could live with adding an impact player like that to the Giants' defense.

Your thoughts?

This Week's Mock Drafts

Here are the Giants selections in some of the recently updated mock drafts.

DraftTek -- Round 1 (29), Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland; Round 2 (45), Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma; Round 2 (60), Tyrone Mckenzie, OLB, South Florida.

Walter Football -- Round 1, James Laurinaits, LB, Ohio State; Round 2, Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers; Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee.

New NFL Draft -- Round 1, Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech.

FOX Sports -- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech.

National Football Post -- Larry English, OLB/DE, Northern Illinois.

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Comments

Laurinaitis

I’m not a college fan, so pardon my ignorance. I’ve heard some negative things about him … mainly that he’s not the impact player he’s made out to be. Anyone have that view of him? And is this based on anti-Buckeye bias or solid evidence?

If he’s the player that these scouts say he is, then I’m all for it!

by potroast on Feb 13, 2009 8:43 AM EST reply actions

I think

maybe he didn’t have as good a senior season as he did a junior season. Most reports say he would have gone top 10 a year ago. I also think this is the time of year you hear negatives about every prospect. Everybody is looking for weaknesses. That said, I am only going off the scouting reports on this guy.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 13, 2009 8:57 AM EST up reply actions

I won't lie that it is anti-OSU bias

But if you watch him, he gets targeted by opposing offenses, and that plus friendly home scorekeepers is what causes his gaudy tackle numbers

by queler on Feb 13, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

Combine

It will be interesting to see what happens to a guy like this at the Combine. That’s when guys start moving up and down draft boards like crazy.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 13, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

Both of the USC guys

have higher ceilings. And our GM sure knows how to pick guys with great potential.

by ryanwk628 on Feb 13, 2009 9:00 AM EST reply actions

Maybe so

But, we pick 29th. Both of the USC guys are probably going to be gone by the time Reese gets to make a selection.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 13, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions

We should draft LB with our first pick

I am worried about Pierce. Especially in the second half of the season he wasn’t getting to the QB on blitzes, and was exposed in pass coverage. I am not saying he is done, but I think he has lost a step and we can’t afford to waste any time finding a successor.

If Maualuga from USC is still around we have to take him, he plays like a wild animal. Laurinaitis is a more traditional LB, very fundamentally sound, will be a great run stopper. I am not sold on Cushing,. although he is a local guy and a Giant fan.

As far as OLB goes, I know Gerris Wilkinson has been a big disappointment so far due to injuries, but I have a feeling when he finally gets healthy he will make some plays.

by JINTS14 on Feb 13, 2009 9:13 AM EST reply actions

Cushing

To Ed’s point of everybody is looking for a weakness, the local LA press has been giving Cushing a hard time in some of the football rumor posting. USC is the only football game in town here and they have been harping on the rumors of steroids or at least mass supplement usage by Cushing. I have seen 2 or 3 articles talk about his senior week practice, but that NFL scouts are crushing his draft stock b/c of supplement usage (hinting at roids). Again, this could be a ploy by some teams, who knows. But it is out there and could change the complexion of the LB picks.

by losangelesmets on Feb 13, 2009 12:13 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for the info

I have reached out to our USC blogger. Hopefully, we will get something back from him on the USC linebackers, and maybe the DT (Moala) who might go in the first couple of rounds.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 13, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

West Coast

Ed, I will try and add any west coast news I can especially b/c I always feel USC guys are top draft targets of any team given their usually pro-ready skill sets.

by losangelesmets on Feb 13, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

Cool

by Ed Valentine on Feb 13, 2009 7:02 PM EST up reply actions

With a little more research...

It seems like a lot of these steroid claims are digging up past issues for Cushing. You can see some photos from 2 years ago when people claimed Cushing was using steroids.

click here

by losangelesmets on Feb 13, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

PSU Fan Perspective

He is a really good linebacker. I naturally hate anyone from tOSU, but he is up there with any of the names that have come out of tOSU in recent year. Not all good college LBs can actually excel in the NFL though. The question is, is he more A.J. Hawk or Dan Carpenter?

My impression is that he is more A.J. Hawk and that he will eventually make an impact. I wouldn’t be sad to see him drafted, as long as he can play outside this year and stay healthy.

by JeremyInDC on Feb 13, 2009 9:16 AM EST reply actions

I meant BOBBY Carpenter

by JeremyInDC on Feb 13, 2009 9:17 AM EST up reply actions

That Walter Football Mock would be quite a haul

Laurenaitis would be a good pick, an odd one, but a good one as we dont need a MLB at this moment, but a guy with his talent should be a great successor to AP-so that would be a solid pick for sure

If Plax really isnt gonna be back, then Id rather go for Boldin than rely on Smith/Manningham and some rookies

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Feb 13, 2009 10:08 AM EST reply actions

I hate Ohio St.

I’ll get that out of the way right now, so it may be clouding my judgment. I don’t think Laurinitis has star potential. I think he is what he is, a solid linebacker, who will probably be a starter in the league for a number of years, but who’s never going to be a game-changer playmaker type guy. If the Giants have no shot at the USC guys (and I don’t think they will), I wouldn’t be upset getting Laurnitis – he’s a decent late round pick. I wouldn’t be upset by that mock draft that has us getting him and Kenny Britt.

by cjmulrain on Feb 13, 2009 11:46 AM EST reply actions

That mock

at least hits the positions the giants need the most help in.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 13, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

Really would anyone have a problem

with any of the three-four guys that will come off the board after that Curry kid? I think any of them would be an upgrade for our LBs. I saw one mock that somehow had the Giants getting Britt and that DT from USC in the 2nd round. THAT would be a dream haul with any of the top 5 LBs in the first round (assuming of course we have out first round and not Boldin. Keep your fingers crossed for that one).

Homer: Aw, twenty dollars! I wanted a peanut!
Homer's Brain: Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts!
Homer: Explain how!
Homer's Brain: Money can be exchanged for goods and services!
Homer: Woo-hoo!

by bigbluethruandthru on Feb 14, 2009 10:57 AM EST reply actions