Where In The World Is James Laurinaitis?

What happened to James Laurinaitis, I thought he was supposed to be the best linebacker in this years draft?

[Trap_Star]

he's still in school.

[Ole Miss Texan]

He stayed for his senior season at Ohio St, along with his teammate Malcolm Jenkins. Coincidentally, the best cornerback in the draft.

[Hottoddie]

The sad part for him is, he gave up a chance to go to New England at #7. I just hope for his sake, that he doesn't get injured & doesn't drop too far down in next year's draft. The fact that he's missing out on a chance to join a perennial Super Bowl contender could cost him a lot of playoff money as well.

[Fox]

Staying in school is always an iffy proposition when you're already considered a premier player. An injury here or a bad season there can cost you millions off your rookie contract. On the other hand I do really respect those guys who finish their degrees and continue to play for the love of the game and the respect of their team mates.

[kiwitexansfan]

Just wait while I climb on my high horse...


Money isn't everything, stay in school kids, there are no promises in football.

[NitroGSXR]

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

Just wait while I climb on my high horse...


Money isn't everything, stay in school kids, there are no promises in football.

Respectfully disagree.

Money is everything. Those who say that money doesn't buy happiness doesn't know where to shop. Find better places to shop if you're unhappy. That's all I got to say about that.

[bah007]

There are no guarantees in pro football.

Even a #1 overall pick can fall out of the league quickly.

Get your degree so you can have a life after football is over.

[NitroGSXR]

Originally Posted by bah007

There are no guarantees in pro football.

Even a #1 overall pick can fall out of the league quickly.

Get your degree so you can have a life after football is over.

A #1 overall picks signs with a 20 million or so signing bonus. Not really sure if it matters if a person falls out so quickly matters much after such a signing bonus.

You can get a degree just as easily when football is over. If anything, you'd be able to pay for it.

[Bubbajwp]

Originally Posted by NitroHonda

Respectfully disagree.

Money is everything. Those who say that money doesn't buy happiness doesn't know where to shop. Find better places to shop if you're unhappy. That's all I got to say about that.

Well apparently you dont have any money because I can promise you money doesnt buy happiness and if it does then I think you might be in a midlife crisis. Sorry

[YoungTexanFan]

The 2 best MLB's by far that were eligible this year decided to stay in school. USC's Rey Maguela and tOSU's James Laurinaitis. They are both top 15 talents.

Originally Posted by NitroHonda

A #1 overall picks signs with a 20 million or so signing bonus. Not really sure if it matters if a person falls out so quickly matters much after such a signing bonus.

You can get a degree just as easily when football is over. If anything, you'd be able to pay for it.

It's not always about the degree per se...

College is an experience...It's really the last time you can be a "kid" in a sense....

Going to class, playing football, hanging with friends, being on campus, going to parties, all the on campus events...Those things are memory builders....Once you leave it's not the same as trying to go back and just get a degree...

Different people place value on different things...

[The1ApplePie]

Originally Posted by Bubbajwp

Well apparently you dont have any money because I can promise you money doesnt buy happiness and if it does then I think you might be in a midlife crisis. Sorry

Dating women 25-35 without a lot of money... Good luck with that


I think James made a huge mistake. This draft is god awful at ILB, and he would have been first by a mile.

Rey Maguela next year will probably be a better Pro-Prospect than he is next year

[Specnatz]

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

Just wait while I climb on my high horse...


Money isn't everything, stay in school kids, there are no promises in football.

Yeah but if your the Governor of NY you can rent it for $5,000 an hour.

[Bubbajwp]

Originally Posted by The1ApplePie

Dating women 25-35 without a lot of money... Good luck with that


I think James made a huge mistake. This draft is god awful at ILB, and he would have been first by a mile.

Rey Maguela next year will probably be a better Pro-Prospect than he is next year

Im not sure what that has to do with being happy. But if you have to be worth millions to get a girl I feel sorry for you.

[Hooston Texan]

Do any of you all know who Anthony Poindexter is?

If you do, you really know your college football circa 1995-98. For the rest of you, Poindexter was one of the fiercest safeties college football ever saw--but don't take my word for it, ask Ricky Williams.

Anyway, Poindexter was a sure-fire first-round draft pick after his junior season. Instead, he chose to return to UVA because the team was going to be stacked the next season (Patrick Kerney, Thomas Jones, Aaron Brooks), and he wanted to be a part of what looked to be an epic team.

In the middle of his senior season, he tore up his knee. In an instant, he went from a first-round lock to a seventh round pick. He played on special teams for a couple of years (getting a ring with the Ravens) but was done. He never earned above the minimum. Now he's an assistant at UVA, but he should still be playing in the NFL. The kid sacrificed his pro career for one more college try.

For that reason, I can't begrudge any kid leaving early when it looks like he's a high draft pick. No college degree in the world is going to make you millions of dollars before you turn 30. Sure, not all sure things pan out, but 99.9999999999999% of the world kill for the shot that a first-round NFL draft pick gets to secure his future.

The college isn't going anywhere. If the NFL doesn't pan out, it will still be there.

Originally Posted by Hooston Texan

Do any of you all know who Anthony Poindexter is?

If you do, you really know your college football circa 1995-98. For the rest of you, Poindexter was one of the fiercest safeties college football ever saw--but don't take my word for it, ask Ricky Williams.

Anyway, Poindexter was a sure-fire first-round draft pick after his junior season. Instead, he chose to return to UVA because the team was going to be stacked the next season (Patrick Kerney, Thomas Jones, Aaron Brooks), and he wanted to be a part of what looked to be an epic team.

In the middle of his senior season, he tore up his knee. In an instant, he went from a first-round lock to a seventh round pick. He played on special teams for a couple of years (getting a ring with the Ravens) but was done. He never earned above the minimum. Now he's an assistant at UVA, but he should still be playing in the NFL. The kid sacrificed his pro career for one more college try.

For that reason, I can't begrudge any kid leaving early when it looks like he's a high draft pick. No college degree in the world is going to make you millions of dollars before you turn 30. Sure, not all sure things pan out, but 99.9999999999999% of the world kill for the shot that a first-round NFL draft pick gets to secure his future.

The college isn't going anywhere. If the NFL doesn't pan out, it will still be there.

The what if game sucks....que sera sera

Theres no argument for this subject either way unless it's you making the decision...

Otherwise we're all peeing the wind...

[Ole Miss Texan]

For some, their dream is to play in the NFL and the only reason they're in college is to eventually go pro. I'd say most (or at least a lot) of the talent in the NFL don't want to do anything else and did not go to college to get an education to find some sort of working job.

I love to see players returning for their senior season but for so many declaring early, I have no right to say they shouldn't. Sometimes I want to, but I don't know them or their situation or their family, etc.

What was that story about Mario? He wanted to quit football altogether and get a job to help his sister, to help pay for her and her child (husband died??) but she said no, stay in football, you have the chance to fulfill a dream and financially be able to take care of us a lot better. Mario skipped his senior season for many reasons and I can't blame him at all.

But I usually urge players (that I never talk to or ever know) to come out early if (a) they are looking like a sure fire top 10 pick or 1st rounder and/or (b) if there are family matters they must take care of.

I usually urge players (that I never talk to or ever know) to stay in school to (a) finish their college experience with the teammates (basically family), friends, and earn there degree and/or (b) play more/practice more/ learn more and improve their stock to be a top 5 pick or a 1st rd pick.

Perfect example is Michael Oher. I could blame him if he wanted to leave early but on so many levels I thought it'd be best for him to stay in school for his senior year. Help an up and coming college program, earn his degree (only person in his family to do so), and most importantly refine his technique. I think Oher was a def. 1st round draft pick if he came out, most likely a Top 20 this year but going back (if he improves and doesn't get hurt) will be talked about going #1 overall or Top 5.

[PapaL]

When I saw this thread I thought of:

Well he sneaks around the world from Kiev to Carolina,
he’s a sticky-fingered filcher from Berlin down to Belize,
he’ll take you for a ride on a slow boat to China,
Tell me where in the world is James Laurinaitis?

[The1ApplePie]

Originally Posted by Bubbajwp

Im not sure what that has to do with being happy. But if you have to be worth millions to get a girl I feel sorry for you.

Wasn't talking about millions, I'm talking about a good salary

Got a girl right now, and I don't have two cents to rub together. There are plenty that won't touch you with a 8 foot pole without money, I just got lucky.

As far as not knowing what having a good woman has to do with being happy... Maybe you'll eventually figure that one out.