Please Enlighten Me (Laurinaitis)

[The Hurricane]

OK, I readily admit that I've paid zero attention to all the draft chatter this year and I could just be missing something obvious, but why in the world has there been no talk about us drafting James Laurinaitis? He seems to be one of the more logical choices in my opinion. The guy has real undeniable talent and hes not dumb as a brick like the USC linebackers appear to be. Rey Maualuga is a good athlete, but I just don't think he has the requisite intelligence to succeed in our system.

 

[mayoclinic]

OK, I readily admit that I've paid zero attention to all the draft chatter this year and I could just be missing something obvious, but why in the world has there been no talk about us drafting James Laurinaitis? He seems to be one of the more logical choices in my opinion. The guy has real undeniable talent and hes not dumb as a brick like the USC linebackers appear to be. Rey Maualuga is a good athlete, but I just don't think he has the requisite intelligence to succeed in our system.

He's been discussed quite a bit under various threads. The majority (of which I include myself) feel that he is primarily a 4-3 MLB rather than a 3-4 ILB, that he has weaknesses in taking on blockers, that he has limited athleticism and upside, and that his skills are too similar to Mayo's, who is a more athletic version. Others like him a lot because of his coverage skills, leadership, work ethic, intensity, etc. There's a lot to like, I just don't see him as a fit.

 

[Feep50]

Watch BB draft him at #23 and wax poetic about his skills shortly thereafter..... Seems they've scouted every LB but him!

 

[TriplecHamp]

OK, I readily admit that I've paid zero attention to all the draft chatter this year and I could just be missing something obvious, but why in the world has there been no talk about us drafting James Laurinaitis? He seems to be one of the more logical choices in my opinion. The guy has real undeniable talent and hes not dumb as a brick like the USC linebackers appear to be. Rey Maualuga is a good athlete, but I just don't think he has the requisite intelligence to succeed in our system.

Pretty much what Mayo said. He's not a great athlete but he is smart and he does play well but I just think he wont get much better. He is a less athletic Mayo and he isnt as physical. Why do people think the Wonderlic has anything to do with football? There is not one football related question in that test. Trying to calculate how quickly trains will get to a station traveling at different speeds does not help you give qb's concussions. THE Dan Marino scored a 15 thats 3 higher than Maualuga. Alex smith scored a 40 look where it got him. It comes down to one simple question. Can you play football at a high level?

 

[PatsChamp88]

Use the search tool, you will find what you're looking for :idea2:

 

[supafly]

I am a big Ohio State fan having lived in Columbus, and I agree to a certain point about your questioning. It could be so many different things, we really don't know. It's funny how we try and dissect the upcoming draft every year like we're all experts, obviously me included. The funny thing is we are probably all in for some surprises no matter what. Hell, he could be #2 or #3 on our board for LB's. I doubt it, but I don't know, that's the reality of things. BB dosen't tip his hand too much, and I really think that we have a major luxury of being able to choose overall ability via best player available--particularly this year in general. A lot wouldn't agree with our general consensus of positional needs, but maybe our scouting dept. sees a good safety or OL in round 3, hell, maybe 4 or 5. When it comes to the draft, I try to remember that there are good players spread throughout. Brady and Cassel came at rounds 6 and 7, respectively.

I really enjoy all the "let's trade #34 and #58, for Philly's second rounder and another in 2010," threads. I mean, that's what this forum is for, so predictions are cool and all--but let's be honest. We really do not have any ideas at all, so surprises are the odds on favorite. We can speculate and break down numbers and cone drill times, and 225 lb repetitions, etc. But that really dosen't add up to anything more than opinions. That said, I'll admit that I have absolutely no idea what we'll do. I can however, say that I will be excited and happy regardless.

 

[mgteich]

For the record, there are some of us who welcome Laurinitis at 23 or 34. Personally, I would rather have a DE like Gilbert or Jackson or Hood at 23, but would be fine with Laurinitis.

Whatever the level of priority, it seems that our OLB need can be met at 34 or at 37 with a trade up from 47.

 

[The Hurricane]

Thanks for the responses everyone! They cleared up many of my questions.

One side note:

Why do people think the Wonderlic has anything to do with football?

I don't pay too much attention to the wonderlic. Watching the player talk on camera is usually how I can tell. Having watched Rey's post game interviews I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that the guy doesn't have much going on upstairs. He's not Keith Rivers dumb, but hes close enough that I think we will avoid him for similar reasons.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Why do people think the Wonderlic has anything to do with football?

It's a proxy. As someone noted, though, the key point about the Wonderlic is that it's given after all the workouts—when you have adrenaline running through your body, which can disrupt your concentration.

That said, I admit it's not perfect, but it's not completely useless, either.

 

[MetalBleachers]

Thanks for the responses everyone! They cleared up many of my questions.

One side note:



I don't pay too much attention to the wonderlic. Watching the player talk on camera is usually how I can tell. Having watched Rey's post game interviews I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that the guy doesn't have much going on upstairs. He's not Keith Rivers dumb, but hes close enough that I think we will avoid him for similar reasons.

Any links? I'm asking because the interviews I've seen, he seems okay. I'd like to sit in on an interview with him to see him analyze film - yet another way in which teams always know more than fans.

As far as the draft goes, with all this ILB talk, the Pats will probably trade down two spots and nab an O lineman.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Seems they've scouted every LB but him!

Then he's probably the one we'll get

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Then he's probably the one we'll get

Bite your tongue!

 

[bakes781]

I too was a bit surprised there was very little talk of Laurinaitis when I 1st started posting here again. He was considered by most to be the #1 prospect at his position had he come out last year. But after watching him at the combine I can kinda see where the others are coming from. I wouldn't be upset if he were picked though.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Why do people think the Wonderlic has anything to do with football? There is not one football related question in that test. Can you play football at a high level?

First off, Andy (.007) Katzenmeyer says, "ug"

I heard that one NFL guy went up to Laurinaitis at the Combine and said, "name me one Ohio St LB that has ever done s%$t in the NFL" (a guess the guy forgot about Vrabel). But the sentiment is there. It is like Penn State running backs, or Texas Tech QBs, the pedigree is that they can not make it in the NFL. The Big Ten is not exactly an offesive league, and playing defense in the Big Ten is akin to the 5-3 you used to run in high school. Look what happens to the Big Ten schools when they play a team with NFL speed. They would be lucky to beat Vandy in the SEC. This is why he is not getting any love. A.J. Hawk has been decent for Green Bay, Dallas has been trying to trade Carpenter since they drafted him. I don't know if they guy can play in the NFL or not, but I would be shocked if he is picked in the first round.

 

[The Hurricane]

I too was a bit surprised there was very little talk of Laurinaitis when I 1st started posting here again. He was considered by most to be the #1 prospect at his position had he come out last year. But after watching him at the combine I can kinda see where the others are coming from. I wouldn't be upset if he were picked though.

Thats why I think we'll grab him if hes around. He would be a massive steal if he dropped to us IMO. We've got a Championship caliber team, that restricts our options quite a bit if we want a guy who can contribute right away. DE converts and the slow minded will not fit that bill. Curry, Maualuga and Laurinaitis are the only first round talent that I think will make an immediate impact at linebacker for any team and Maualuga will a) likely be gone before we are picking and b) not be a great fit for us (for intelligence reasons).

Any links? I'm asking because the interviews I've seen, he seems okay.

I just watched all his interviews on youtube. He clearly doesn't ride the short bus, but he speaks in very basic terms and says things that don't really make sense when he starts to talk fast. Plus...he's a USC linebacker, it's practically a given. Before someone invokes Seau on me, I love the guy but he is not the epitome of intellegence. He worked in our system because he was SO instinctual and SO experienced at the position that his football smarts more than compensated.

 

[JoeShmoe]

Laurinaitis = Pozluszny - right down to hard how they both are to spell

And he went in the mid second I think

Forget the wonderlic .. its nonsense. Mauluaga would be way better .. I dont care if the guy cant solve pythagoras he can flat out be a nasty MLB and next to Mayo would be a dream team ...

 

[bakes781]

I would agree that Maualuga will be the 1st ILB taken. But if Mayock's assesment is true then I don't want anything to do with a guy that can't play on 3rd down.

 

[AzPatsFan]

OK, I readily admit that I've paid zero attention to all the draft chatter this year and I could just be missing something obvious, but why in the world has there been no talk about us drafting James Laurinaitis? He seems to be one of the more logical choices in my opinion. The guy has real undeniable talent and hes not dumb as a brick like the USC linebackers appear to be. Rey Maualuga is a good athlete, but I just don't think he has the requisite intelligence to succeed in our system.

I too like Lauranitis, and privately I think the Patriots would probably draft him if he falls to #23.

There are fans who think we need another TJ runstuffer ILB. Maualuga is that to them. But I think football has moved on, and other ILB abilities are needed more, now.

But Ibeleive that make the 3-4 go, you need to augment the OLB pass rush with an unpredictable ILB pass rush. Mayo is a rising star but he has displayed no talent to do such a thing. In addition, the ILBs have to be able to drop into pass coverge in Belichick's version of the 3-4. Mauluaga has displayed no talent for that.

Lauranitis is not a runstuffer par excellenace, he is merely very good all around, and has plenty of INTs and blitz sacks. His speed is not spectacular but, with very good instincts, and smarts, he makes up for it. In addition to the typical "Butkus" and and other awards to LBs, he was also an Academic All American. BB likes smart, intense players and in the Mike position he needs someone smart to call the plays and adjustments.

The reason I think the Pats would take him is that there are only a couple of high pick ILBs, with the size BB likes. But ther are a basketful of OLB candidates. Bill will take the hard ones to find, and then take an OLB candidate to finish the LB rebuild for another generation.

Bil has also said he plays safe with his first round picks, and takes safe picks there. He prefers to gamble with other picks. Lauranitis is an eminently "safe" pick.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Lauranitis is an eminently "safe" pick.

For a 4-3 Will.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Laurinaitis = Pozluszny - right down to hard how they both are to spell

And he went in the mid second I think

Forget the wonderlic .. its nonsense. Mauluaga would be way better .. I dont care if the guy cant solve pythagoras he can flat out be a nasty MLB and next to Mayo would be a dream team ...

Lauranitis IS Posluzny but with 15-20 more pounds of beef. In case you hadn't noticed Posluzny has been a regular and a rising star, at the Bill's MLB position from day one. He has started every game except when he broke his arm. That is a great comparison, and not a derision, as you thought. Belichick deemed Posluzny too small for our ILB positions, but Lauranitis is defintely not too small; and that is the difference.