New York Giants Offseason Task No. 3: Getting To Know James Laurinaitis

This is No. 3 in a running series of Giants offseason antics
Article One: Resigning and Releasing
Article Two: Plaxico Burress and Anquan Boldin

First of all, let me start out by saying that I am extremely pleased with the comments, and the attention that this series has gotten from the Giants community.

I hope you enjoy reading these articles as much as I do writing them.

Now, it's on to business as usual.

The reason this article came to be is because the first mock draft that actually matters was released last week. Draft analyst for ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr. has the New York Giants taking James Laurinaitis from Ohio State University with the 29th pick in the NFL Draft.

What better way to get ready for next season than with an in-depth look at what may be our future inside linebacker?

James Laurinaitis-Ohio State University-Senior-ILB

In high school, James was a star two-sport athlete who could've gone pro in the NHL as a second- to fourth-round draft pick, but was overlooked because his obvious talent was football.

Laurinaitis won his home state of Minnesota's Defensive Player of the Year for high school football, and was recruited to OSU as only the second football recruit from Minnesota since coach Sid Gillman back in the thirties.

James battled his way to second place on the depth chart of his freshman year, backing up Bobby Carpenter, now a LB with the Dallas Cowboys. After Carpenter broke his leg against rival Michigan, Laurinaitis saw considerable playing time.

Getting the start in 2006, he led the team in tackles with 115 tackles and five interceptions and also reeled in four sacks. He was rewarded for his hard work very nicely with the Nagurski Award as the nation's top defensive player—but that wasn't all. James also won the Big Ten Defensive player of the year.

Though 2006 was a great season, 2007 was the year that Laurinaitis became the future first-round pick that he is today. James took control of the OSU defense and became what Jim Tressel would call one of the best defensive players he had ever coaches. Laurinaitis finished with 121 tackles, and won the Butkus award for the Nation's Top Linebacker, and was named the Big Ten Defensive player of the year for the second straight season.

After a down year in 2008, and the breakout year's from the nation's top LB's, Wake Forest's Aaron Curry, and USC's Rey Maualuga, Laurinaitis' draft stock dropped a tad. Which, If I do say so for myself, is a great thing for the Giants.

But don't take my word for it, James would tell you himself.

Youtube. The Animal. James Laurinaitis.

Written By Travis Rand, NYG, and NFL Bleacher Reporter
Travis' Archive can be found here