Interesting News From James Laurinaitis

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Apr 17, 2009 10:18 PM EDT

So today driving in the car with my old man, I was listening to Sirius NFL Radio, and of course, the Draft was the main topic of discussion. I believe it was Adam Schein who said that the Network had an exclusive interview yesterday with James Laurinaitis, ILB from Ohio State. The significance is that Schein said that Laurinaitis claimed he was approached by none other than Dick LeBeau and said that LeBeau told him how he would be thrilled if James fell to the Steelers at the 32nd overall pick. Coming from LeBeau this doesn't surprise me, but it does speak how the Steelers feel about Laurinaitis as a potential player. Now aside Alex Mack, this is probably my second favorite option in the first round. It seems that Laurinaitis would fit in well with our 3-4 scheme, as a tough, hard nose, blue-collar, linebacker and a future replacement for James Farrior. Here's a look at Laurinaitis's stats:

via menofthescarletandgray.com

2005-2007 3 seasons

2008

He played in 51 games during his career, and Laurinaitis has tallied 375 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks.-fftoolbox.com

Stats Overview	Tackles						Misc		Interceptions
YEAR	TOT	SOLO	AST	SACK	STF	STFY	FF	BK	INT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	PD
2005	9	3	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
2006	116	54	62	4	0	0	3	0	5	56	11.2	25	0	0
2007	121	51	70	5	0	0	0	2	2	16	8.0	14	0
2008	130	52	78	4	0	0	1	0	2	0	0.0	0	0	0

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Comments

That Final Stat box is from ESPN.

It's true what they say...Even the NFL's Big Wigs hate the Steelers. On the plus side, I can now tell my future grand kids about Hines Ward and how the NFL made rules because of him. Roger Goodell, you make me sick.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Apr 17, 2009 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

It would be nice

but we are kinda stacked at LB, I wouldn’t be upset if we get him though. What about Sean Smith in the 3rd round? He is a big CB at 6’4. He is raw but with MT ability to coach DBs I say he could turn Mr. Smith into a dangerous asset. He is fast too. here is the link to the anaylisis I read, I think he could be a steal in the 3rd if he’s there.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d80fd3ee5&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true

by tannofsteel84 on Apr 17, 2009 10:39 PM EDT reply actions

I think that if he were there in the third round

We wouldn’t hesitate to take him, but I’ve seen him projected as our first round pick. My guess is that he goes early round 2, but it would be an incredible steal if he were there at 96. It does seem that we’re interested in him, as I believe he was among the 30 prospects that visited us over the past week or two. The only character knock I’ve heard on Smith is that he’s cocky and loves to talk smack, but at DB that’s almost a given these days, and there’s no problem with that as long as you keep it under control otherwise you get the likes of Antony Smith (to be honest his quote about beating the Patriots was really blown out of proportion by the media-but that’s why you don’t give them a chance to do that).

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Apr 17, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Really

1st? I don’t seem them reaching in the first. I guess we’d just have to pray no one takes him, I just don’t seem them trading up in a round earlier than the 3rd. There is so many variables that can happen. But I would love to see this guy suite up as a Steeler and as a DB u have to be cocky, you have to have faith in your abilities or you’ll get destroyed.

by tannofsteel84 on Apr 18, 2009 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep, one mock guy even had Sean Smith at #15 to the Texans

Zero chance he lasts till the 3rd imo

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on Apr 18, 2009 5:15 AM EDT up reply actions

He could be good but is maybe a little too raw

I like Mike Mickens in the later rounds.

by BallsofSteel on Apr 18, 2009 3:39 AM EDT up reply actions

As for Laurinaitis

If hes there at #32, by all means take him!

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on Apr 18, 2009 5:15 AM EDT reply actions

well if u get

laurinaitis, what do you with foote, he’s turns 29 this year. Do we really think he’s done? His numbers hasn’t really dropped, I think he probably has at least two more good years in him. Plus we just signed P. Bailey and Woods as ILB. And of course theres always Timmons there. A combo of Timmons and Laurinaitis is scary, but I agree is they have JL as the best player available take him. But if there is someone equal or higher at another position say, DL, OL. WR, DB, I said you pass.

by tannofsteel84 on Apr 18, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

Remember,

Laurinaitis was projected a top 5 pick last year if he went in the draft, but he decided not to and now he dropped. if he’s there 1st round…get him.

"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43

by PsycoSalameh on Apr 18, 2009 1:10 PM EDT reply actions

Disagree

If, and I don’t believe he will be, Laurinaitis is there at 1.32, the Steelers may take him, but only if he is BPA. I see the draft board not having him rated among the top 32 players. Honestly, I believe they have him rated as a high to mid 2nd rounder. If he iss around at the end of round 2, there is little doubt they would take him, but I don’t see them taking him at 1.32. For that matter, I don’t see them taking a center unless they are unable to trade down. I think if they could trade down abotu 7 or 8 spots and pick up Eric Wood and one another pick in say the 4th they would in a heart beat.

by SteelCage on Apr 19, 2009 7:24 AM EDT reply actions

Player ratings

Player ratings are fun, and each newspaper and draft analyst has his own, but each team has their own system, so has their own way to rate players. I doubt that any 2 teams have the same ratings on players. That said, this is how I would rate the players at or near 32 for the Steelers:
1. Evander Hood DT/DE 6027/300 Missouri
2. Eben Britton, OT 6’6 310 Arizona
3. Darius Butler CB Connecticut
4. Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
5. Eric Wood C/G 6’4/310 Louisville
6. Alex Mack C California
7. Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina

I think Eric Wood will end up a Steeler.

Dennis

by belvalle55 on Apr 19, 2009 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

damn no jarron gilbert in your list? :(

by tdp992 on Apr 19, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd see Mack and Wood ranked over Harvin

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Apr 19, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope and pray Laurinaitis is not drafted by the Steelers… He is not worthy of a 1st round draft choice. He will not be a great pro. He’ll see the field but will not be a standout LB…

by WETSU on Apr 19, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Way too slow...

Look it up: our middle linebackers are smokin’ fast.

The only reason I know is that I thought DT Alex McGee could make the move to middle linebacker and be a good one in the way Kirkland was. McGee’s latest 40 times are about the same as Laurinaitis’, and he could be had at a lower and cheaper spot. But when I studied it further, I found only speed, speed, speed these days at ILB.

Who knew?

by Concomitandt on Apr 19, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions