In James Laurinaitis, the Saints found one of the NFL's smartest linebackers (1 Viewer)

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"He’s a football nerd," former Rams teammate Chris Long said. "He just enjoys talking about it, talking about scheme, learning about stuff. Two of the smartest players I’ve played with that loved it, him and Cortland Finnegan, who were really tight."

In James Laurinaitis, the Saints found one of the NFL's smartest linebackers | Saints | theadvocate.com

we certainly got lucky this off season. I had no idea Finnegan was such a student of the game. With our schedule this year, we are certainly going to need every advantage we can muster.
 
I have always loved JL and his game. I wanted to draft him when he came out of OSU. Super excited that it looks like this is going to be a great FA LB pick up for us.
 
I read this article earlier, and it doesn't say anything that most of us didn't already know. Granted it is still early days, but JL is proving to be what we needed at linebacker. From his leadership to younger players, to getting people in position, to playing chess with Brees. This was a great signing, and at a well below market cost.

These threads are full of great reading.
http://saintsreport.com/forums/f2/s...lation-rapoport-[merged]-352796/#.V7xY7CgrKUk
http://saintsreport.com/forums/f2/saints-sign-lb-james-laurinaitis-353426/#.V7xZhSgrKUk
 
It's not just his leadership. He's playing well too.

And to think, we didn't have Jenkins or Anthony in the rotation (and Fairley only played two drives) on Saturday night. This defense has a ton of talent. That's something we haven't said in a long time.
 
One thing that has been sorely missing from our Defenses the past 2 seasons has been half time adjustments, something Williams was very good at. With these guys plus Dennis Allen, Brian Young and Aaron Glen we will be very competitive for 4 qtrs.
 
I heard one of his first interviews on WWL Radio when he was signed here and afterwards I was left impressed by his intelligence.
 
It's not just his leadership. He's playing well too.

And to think, we didn't have Jenkins or Anthony in the rotation (and Fairley only played two drives) on Saturday night. This defense has a ton of talent. That's something we haven't said in a long time.

a question. did Fairley come back in after running across the field to stop that running play? That impressed the heck out of me.
 
a question. did Fairley come back in after running across the field to stop that running play? That impressed the heck out of me.

No. They did show him on the bench laughing though and shooing the trainers away. So I think he's ok.
 
He better be smart, because his body failed him last year and he was one of the worst LB's in the league.

He had a significant elbow injury last year, and still started all sixteen games. Also, even in his worst season, Laurinaitis still would've finished in the top five in tackles for the Saints every year for the last ten seasons.
 
Also more insight to the CF signing not the position but also the player MLB and DB who have chemistry and smarts

Don't guess Long's contract is coming up in LA anytime soon ?
 
Also more insight to the CF signing not the position but also the player MLB and DB who have chemistry and smarts

Don't guess Long's contract is coming up in LA anytime soon ?

The Patriots snatched Long up. He seems like a really good fit for them.
 
The Patriots snatched Long up. He seems like a really good fit for them.

I wanted both of them. I am sure Long can set an edge. I am happy with one, but I can only imagine that by signing both, we would have a top 15 defense based on leadership, even if those two avg. age is 30.

And when did 30 become to old for productive players? Long and JL weren't bad players last year, they were just in a bad system where the defense had to win games, and the defense was on the field for long periods of time. I think both JL and Long will have a great final chapter to their careers as they are both on great teams where they aren't counted on to do as much.
 

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