Thread: After Watching Laurinitis in the Fiesta Bowl...

I'm not at all impressed. He looked a step slow and seemed to be chasing plays most of the game. I don't know if it was just an off game for him or not. I keyed on him and Wells throughout, and the one word I would use to describe Laurinitis's play would be slow.

Rey-Rey wasn't dominant in the USC game, but he was a lot more impressive IMO. Can't wait to watch Spikes in the National Championship game on Thursday.

Laurinitis always seems to be the second guy to the ball. When I have watched him play I very rarely saw him making a solo play. We have enough guys like that on this team already. If we go MLB in the first I'll take Rey or Spikes all day.

If we swith to a 3-4, I'd be okay with Rey. Otherwise, I'm all over drafting Spikes.

Originally Posted by CoachChaz

If we swith to a 3-4, I'd be okay with Rey. Otherwise, I'm all over drafting Spikes.

agreed and agreed. Rey is a damn good blitzer imho

I wasn't impressed with Ray M or Laurintis. Both seemed slow and were easily taken out of plays by single blockers. Neither looks like a legit #1 MLB to me at this point.

I agree Ziggy. I may eat crow, but I see Laurinitus as Katzenmoyer v 2.0. The kid from USC plays a pro style defense coached by Carroll. If I had to choose between the two, I'd take the Trojan.

what concerns me about maualuga is he had 0 sacks last year and had exactly the same solo stats that laurinaitis did. the only thing is laurinaitis had 50 MORE assisted tackles with a total of 130, 2 ints and 6 sacks!!!! and through his whole career rey NEVER went over 80 tackles, NEVER! rey also has a beastly supposrt group on defense with the likes of cushing, matthews, taylor mays and a stout dline. that alone makes him seem like a nfl linebacker.

so, how is he slow again?

I agree, I wasn't that impressed either, especially since I heard to watch for the same things you guys mentioned above. Just doesn't look like he has the speed or instincts to really excel.

Originally Posted by DenBronx

what concerns me about maualuga is he had 0 sacks last year and had exactly the same solo stats that laurinaitis did. the only thing is laurinaitis had 50 MORE assisted tackles with a total of 130, 2 ints and 6 sacks!!!! and through his whole career rey NEVER went over 80 tackles, NEVER! rey also has a beastly supposrt group on defense with the likes of cushing, matthews, taylor mays and a stout dline. that alone makes him seem like a nfl linebacker.

so, how is he slow again?

I'm a stats guy, I really am, but stats don't always tell much of a story about linebackers.

Just DL some OSU games from Tenyardtorrents and watch Laurinaitis...he's just slow getting to the ball and never seems to be the first guy there. It's like he jumps on the pile afterwards.

Originally Posted by DenBronx

what concerns me about maualuga is he had 0 sacks last year and had exactly the same solo stats that laurinaitis did. the only thing is laurinaitis had 50 MORE assisted tackles with a total of 130, 2 ints and 6 sacks!!!! and through his whole career rey NEVER went over 80 tackles, NEVER! rey also has a beastly supposrt group on defense with the likes of cushing, matthews, taylor mays and a stout dline. that alone makes him seem like a nfl linebacker.

so, how is he slow again?

You draft on skill and potential, not stats.

If he was the first guy to the ball, they’d have to be running it up inside a lot. They weren’t, so he wasn’t.

Laurinaitis is not the fastest LB, but he’s a great player and on-the-field leader.

Rey is aggressive half the time and passive half the time. I agree with Coach, I think he’s better suited as a 3-4 guy.

Laurinaitis is a more physically talented version of Larsen. So was Mike Singletary, btw.

The ceiling is higher on Spikes, and Maualuga. The chances of reaching that ceiling are higher with Laurinaitis. He’s just that kind of guy.

So then the only question is how high you think James’s ceiling is.

I know a lot of people keep lowering it, but I wouldn’t do that. It’s premature.

~G

Originally Posted by studbucket

I'm a stats guy, I really am, but stats don't always tell much of a story linebackers.

Just DL some OSU games from Tenyardtorrents and watch Laurinaitis...he's just slow getting to the ball and never seems to be the first guy there. It's like he jumps on the pile afterwards.

isnt that what mlbs are for? if they are not the first guy then they give support stopping the guy? with 50 more assist to me that tells you he is all over the field. ohio did get off the field so its not like people were just running up the score on them. i think if you put james in usc's defense it would be even better.

i think mays is a better talent then rey is for usc. i saw alot of usc games this year living in cali and i just think mays is a better propect if your going to consider anyone from usc. i would have no problem seeing us go safety in round 1.

i'm going to bump this thread half way through next season.

Originally Posted by DenBronx

i'm going to bump this thread half way through next season.

Why

Originally Posted by DenBronx

i'm going to bump this thread half way through next season.

Even when you are wrong??