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Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

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But he knows he’ll earn his place largely by what he does on the field. Laurinaitis made 109 tackles, a sack and an interception last season while playing through a hyperextended left elbow that included a torn ulnar collateral ligament and left him unable to take on blocks with anything but his shoulders.

Now healthy again, Laurinaitis plans to show the Saints, and the rest of the league, that he’s still the kind of player who can be the heart and soul of a defense.

OK, I'm liking this signing better and better.

Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

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Originally Posted by NonieT (Post 697221)

Still not crazy about this signing but at least we didn't give him a boatload of money.

Less than we gave Hawthorne. Can't be any worse than he was.

Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

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Originally Posted by |Mitch| (Post 697248)

https://twitter.com/Saints/status/713421600440389632

Dayamn, that is one butt ugly uniform. Did Laurinaitis pay us to be allowed to play in a cool uni?

Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

Really like this signing the more I hear!

He sounds really hungry to prove everyone wrong. I also wasn't aware on the extent of his injury, but it really makes sense now. Imagine being a MLB and not being able to use your right had to shed blockers...lol

Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

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Originally Posted by blackangold (Post 697263)

Imagine being a MLB and not being able to use your right had to shed blockers...lol

And still end up second on the team in tackles :bng: 7 away from being the first...

Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

I was on the rams forum at Hoopla and they were saying that he's declined "over the years" and that he quits when he's getting blocked.

Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

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Originally Posted by WillSaints81 (Post 697293)

I was on the rams forum at Hoopla and they were saying that he's declined "over the years" and that he quits when he's getting blocked.

They sound as clueless as a lot of our own fans do.:p

Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

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Originally Posted by WillSaints81 (Post 697293)

I was on the rams forum at Hoopla and they were saying that he's declined "over the years" and that he quits when he's getting blocked.

Quits when being blocked? Or can't use his right hand effectively?

Having played a bit of ball myself, LB in particular, I couldn't imagine trying to fight off blocks without my hands...

Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

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Laurinaitis never missed a start at middle linebacker in seven seasons with the St. Louis Rams. He has seldom missed snaps during a streak of 112 consecutive starts that ranks second among linebackers behind David Harris of the New York Jets (116).

"I can remember all those snaps I missed, and I'm mad about them," he said. "One was in Denver, I got poked in the eye. That's why I wear a visor now. The other one, I cut my ear believe it or not. I had to get 14 stitches in my ear."

He also played through what he called an "awful" elbow ligament injury last season he said would have required Tommy John surgery were he a baseball pitcher, and yet he continued to play.

"Luckily it just scars over when you don't have to throw with it," he said. "It's feeling great. But gosh, from Week 6 on, I couldn't do any bench press in the weight room, I couldn't lock my elbow out and extend it fully, so I had to wear an ugly brace."

Laurinatis said the elbow has since healed.

I'm seriously getting excited about the signing... If I understand this right; he's only missed 2 snaps in 7 years?! :shock:

Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

The only thing that bugs me about this signing is that if we don't think Stephone Anthony is quite ready to handle MLB duties then why the heck did we draft him in the first round?!

Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

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Originally Posted by ChrisXVI (Post 697417)

The only thing that bugs me about this signing is that if we don't think Stephone Anthony is quite ready to handle MLB duties then why the heck did we draft him in the first round?!

Don't read too much into that; I'm sure they're thinking whatever makes the team better. Laurinaitis and Anthony on the field at the same time, in whatever fashion; automatically makes us better...

Re: Saints sign James Laurinaitis

Well hope he can do great. As really IMHO, Rams gave him a raw deal.