James Laurinaitis? And what does it take for a 3/4 defense?

[truskin4life]

I am a big OSU fan and James Laurinaitis is the best LB I have seen play college football in awile. He is a beast! I never thought we had a chance to get him, but apparently alot of mock drafts have him falling to us. Would you take him? I would like to take him, then pick up haynesworth in FA.
My next two questions are what is really needed for a 3/4 defense and would it be hard to move him to washingtons position? He runs a 4.5 and is good in coverage so that wont be an issue. I just loved watching Pits blitz schemes and would love to move to the 3/4.

[STBonecrusher21]

The 3/4 calls for a BEAST of a DT/Noseguard. A guy like Haloti Gnata on the Ravens thrives in it. We would need that type of player there. And not just the DT, all of our DL have to be physical freaks, which, sadly, doesn't seem to be in our favor.

As for Laurinaitis, if he were to come here, I'd think he'd start from day one. M Wash is getting older, slower, and can't stay healthy. He would however provide valuable depth, and could be a situation pass rusher.

Sadly, I don't think Laurinaitis will be in Burg/Gold next year.

[SkinsAllDay34]

NO!!!!

HE is a middle linebacker and if not that would not be a good fit here.

Also LB is not a #1 need.

All depends what we do in FA though. BUt i say No to Lauranitus.

As far as the 3 4 defense, i wouldnt mind it, but it would take a bit of a transition period and our Defense would probably suffer which is the last thing we need.

[redskins59]

I don't think he'll be that good. Ray Maualuga and Aaron Curry are better prospects.

[ouvan59]

Laurenitis could be our Bobby Carpenter!

[STBonecrusher21]

Laurenitis could be our Bobby Carpenter!

You mean a Special Teamer/Backup LB?

:silly:

[BillyKilmer]

I want someone so change everything so i cna have it...............

[HLF]

Why would anybody talk about changing something thats not broken or even cracked for that matter.:doh:

[pjfootballer]

Oh GOD I HATE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, when all the college football homers come out of the woodwork to hype up their "BEAST" (which is the most overused term on this board) and how he would look in the burgundy and gold. Laurenitis is above average at best. Sorry, there are better picks and needs for us like C, G and DT. LB is the 4th need. I wish college football fans would stay on college football boards so they can drool over their favorite player. First the Florida State guy, now this.

[HoustonSkin]

Laurenaitis won't be any better than Katzenmoyer has been. Same team, same guy...

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

I am down on Laurinaitis. He seems like one of those "energy" guys who thrive in college, but are always taken advantage of in the pros.

[askounes]

Oh GOD I HATE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, when all the college football homers come out of the woodwork to hype up their "BEAST" (which is the most overused term on this board) and how he would look in the burgundy and gold. Laurenitis is above average at best. Sorry, there are better picks and needs for us like C, G and DT. LB is the 4th need. I wish college football fans would stay on college football boards so they can drool over their favorite player. First the Florida State guy, now this.

You hate this time of year, yet you click on a thread that's all about "this time of year". How about that.

[skinzzfan25]

Dan Connor v2.

He's not even half the prospect of AJ Hawk.

[eagleskins]

Hell yeah I would want him. He is a playmaker in the Urlacher mold. They were both the same size in college, actually JL is a little bigger than BL was. He has great speed as well.

[BoBoCTiberius]

He could be a solid NFL player, but I doubt we will go after a LB so early in the draft. For us to run a 3-4 we'd need a dynamic DT, Tommie Harris, Albert Haynesworth, Haloti Ngata, all come to mind. I'd prefer we didn't go to it, but we'd probably get better play out of Carter and Taylor.

[Spartacus87]

Oh GOD I HATE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, when all the college football homers come out of the woodwork to hype up their "BEAST" (which is the most overused term on this board) and how he would look in the burgundy and gold. Laurenitis is above average at best. Sorry, there are better picks and needs for us like C, G and DT. LB is the 4th need. I wish college football fans would stay on college football boards so they can drool over their favorite player. First the Florida State guy, now this. Well hey now, I'm clearly a big FSU guy but I made a thread advocating us looking at a DT from Boston College of all places, the team that really cost us our chance at going to the ACC title game this year.

I also said we shouldn't draft my boy Everette Brown from FSU, since I don't think he's the ideal fit for our scheme at DE.

FSU's kicker, Graham Gano...now he might be a different story. :)

[Joe Sick]

No overrated/overhyped OSU players... He is like the third OSU LB in a row to be the "best ever."

[squatch66]

maualauga(sp?) from usc looks like a way better lb.

im with navydave in that we need to address the offensive line. i think that if one of the big four tackles are there we really need to look hard at taking one unless we have a homerun trade offer sitting there to move down. i am actually intrigued by alex mack the center out of cal. i watched part of the miami game the other night and he looked pretty good. nfldraftcountdown.com has him graded as a first rounder. i wouldnt mind seeing the skins move down and pick this guy up if it means getting an extra pick or two.

[mchoggs47]

I don't think he'll be that good. Ray Maualuga and Aaron Curry are better prospects.
i'm a big osu fan., and live here in columbus. JL has had two just ok seasons in a row he was great as a sophmore, but has struggled getting off blocks in recent years. thier are better options. as for the the 3/4 would b intresting to see, however i think we would struggle at first. Defence just needs more pressure from tackels.

[Cooley47Skins]

So I was watching Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl man they are BEAST!! We should draft every single on of them!!! Even Tyrod!!! Man Wouldn't that be so sweet!!!

[Recent Vintage]

So I was watching Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl man they are BEAST!! We should draft every single on of them!!! Even Tyrod!!! Man Wouldn't that be so sweet!!!

I know you're being sarcastic, but if we trade Caros, I want Macho Harris.



Anyway, I'd totally support getting an LB if Curry falls to us. Guy would be a total game-changer at OLB. Otherwise, I really hope we get OLine at 13 or trade down.

[deejaydana]

Laurinaitis is solid, no doubt, but there will be better choices for us if we stay at the
13th slot come April. As good as he is, I feel he will be just another LB at the next level. Once things for sure, our pick really need to be able to play right away for us (ok, so i'm stating the obvious now)...

[TC4]

Pass

Our two biggest needs are O-line and D-line, which you would call No. 1 and No. 1a on our draft/free agent list

Linebacker might come in at a somewhat distant No. 3

[Ghost of Nibbs McPimpin]

If someone killed all of the other first round prospects, I STILL Would not take Laurinaitis. Sorry, LBs from Ohio State? Not high on them.
And seriously, he's not the best LB in awhile, I've seen better in the last half-decade.

Derrick Johnson for KC was supposed to be a stud too but he's not really that good (and it took him time to get to satisfactory level.)

[#21Taylor4Ever]

I say no. If we address LB, we should sign Suggs. We should not waste high picks on a LB, as OL and DL are our most pressing needs.

[blindside]

I am looking forward to seeing how his father reacts in the green room.

[tml6157]

If we draft him ill throw up!

He is a HORRIBLE MLB. He has coverage skills and thats about it. He is a good fit in a Tampa 2 style defense not ours. As far as him being the best LB, you need to take off the OSU blinders dude!

[truskin4life]

You hate this time of year, yet you click on a thread that's all about "this time of year". How about that.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I hate guys that get on the computer talk disrespectful. He probably got beat up in school and this lets him be on the other end for once.

[BillyKilmer]

You took the words right out of my mouth. I hate guys that get on the computer talk disrespectful. He probably got beat up in school and this lets him be on the other end for once.

You hate it yet, you do it as well?

Can't have it both ways.

“To know and not to do is not to know.”