Got Laurinaitis?

James Makes ESPN Preseason All-America Team

admin — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:35:54 +0000

James has added another honor to his collection as ESPN has named him to their Preseason All-America Team. Other Linebackers on the list include USC’s Brian Cushing and Wake Forrest’s Aaron Curry.

He’s not the only Buckeye as teammates Malcolm Jenkins, Alex Boone, and Beanie Wells also made the list.

Time Warner Reaches Deal with Big Ten Network

admin — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:00:11 +0000

The deal was reached a couple of hours ago and will allow Time Warner’s Buckeye fans to see the season opener this Saturday:

Time Warner Cable and the Big Ten Network announced today that they have reached an agreement-in-principle on terms of carriage for the Big Ten Network and its high-definition and video-on-demand programming on Time Warner Cable’s line-ups throughout the Big Ten territory, including Ohio and Wisconsin. The pending agreement will ensure that Time Warner Cable’s customers across these Big Ten states will have access to this Saturday’s Big Ten college football season openers and all future Big Ten Network programming on an expanded basic level of service.

Joint Statement from Time Warner Cable and the Big Ten Network

Another Laurinaitis Becomes a Buckeye

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:17:30 +0000

It seems there was another factor in whether or not James Laurinaitis would return to Ohio State for his senior season. That other component: his family.

James’ younger sister, Jessica, chose the Ohio State University to continue her education. She is also a standout all-state (Minnesota) hockey player who plans to walk-on to the Buckeye squad in hopes of earning a scholarship for her sophomore year. James wanted to be around for his little sister’s first year in college.

In a USA Today interview published a couple of weeks ago, James joked that he want to “make sure the boys aren’t misbehaving.” He added: “I’ll make my presence felt one way or the other.” Classic big brother move.

Welcome to the Buckeye family, Jessica!

James Repeats as Team Captain

admin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:06:23 +0000

For the second year in a row, James Laurinaitis has been voted Team Captain by his teammates. He is the program’s 7th 2-year captain.

This season he will be joined by Malcolm Jenkins, Todd Boeckman, and Brian Robiskie; 2 players from offense and 2 from defense.

Go Bucks!

Got Laurinaitis? Yup. Sure Do!

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:52:56 +0000

And because I do have Laurinaitis, I headed down to the ‘Shoe tonight to catch a glimpse of the 2008 Buckeyes. Lookin’ good. Lookin’ good.

Since this is the first and only open practice, it was quite obvious that the staff wasn’t going to show their hand to the public. Even after nixing the autograph session and prohibiting cameras. (I had mine, though ;)) [Dispatch recap, Official Photo Album]

The Olympics are going on, and I’m like a lot of the country has been for the past week: watching Michael Phelps rewrite the record books. So I haven’t been posting with the frequency I should have. I know, I know. Bad. But the Olympics are only every 4 years. They’ll be done this weekend and I’ll be all football, all the time!

Here’s a rundown on what I didn’t post in the past week:

Buckeyes are the preseason #2, according to the AP. Georgia, #1. USC, #3.

SportsCenter video previewing the Big Ten. High praise for OSU

JL on Walter Camp Watch List - Player of the Year Award

Playboy’s Top 50 Rankings. #2 again

ESPN First Take video with James can be watched below:

Spring Practice Footage

admin — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:57:10 +0000

For those of you who don’t have the Big Ten Network, or would just like to see it again, the online site has posted some video from last night’s special on Ohio State Fall Camp.

In the following clip — about 2:30 in — James and Malcolm Jenkins talk about why they decided to come back for their senior year in Columbus.

Side Note: I hate Time Warner Cable.

First Look: Buckeyes Sports Illustrated Cover

admin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:47:27 +0000

Above is the preview of the regional cover of Sports Illustrated’s College Football Preview issue that features Ohio State’s James Laurinaitis, Todd Boeckman, and Chris “Beanie” Wells.

I’m guessing it should hit newsstands soon. I can’t wait for it to turn up in my mailbox!

ETA: Full and large cover shot here.

Campin’ Time

admin — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:07:10 +0000

Ohio State’s Fall Camp opened yesterday with a lengthy Special Teams practice; one of the team’s weakest points last year.

OSU’s second practice of Fall Camp can be watched on the Big Ten Network tonight at 9PM (ET). Here’s a blurb from the press release:

The Big Ten Network and “Big Ten Tonight” kick off a month-long preview of the 2008 football season with a tour of preseason practices from around the conference. Throughout August, the Big Ten Network’s lead studio team of host Dave Revsine and analysts Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith will take viewers to a practice at every Big Ten school for a special 90-minute edition of “Big Ten Tonight: Football Practice.” Each show airs at 9 p.m. ET. The show will include interviews with special guests, feature in-depth analysis of both sides of the ball and highlight important position battles. One coach or player will wear a wireless microphone during practice.

Watch Ohio State’s practice Tuesday night

Big Ten Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:16:02 +0000

James Laurinaitis was voted the Big Ten preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the media who cover the conference. Not to be outdone, teammate Beanie Wells was voted the Offensive Player of the Year. Not a bad deal.

And of course, continuing the sweep, The Buckeyes were voted the team to beat this season.

Surprise, surprise.

And, there will be more from Chicago since Lil Animal is there with Boeks, Beanie, and Tressel representing the Scarlet & Gray. For now, check out Coach’s session with the media below the cut.

(more…)

Sports Illustrated Cover on the Way

admin — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:32:56 +0000

Rumors are swirling that James, along with teammates Todd Boeckman and Beanie Wells just did a cover photoshoot for Sports Illustrated that will hit newsstands sometime next month. It will be one of the regional covers released for the annual College Football Preview issue.

Sounds tight. Can’t wait to see it!

ETA: Ohio State Athletics website with the confirmation and a photo album.