James Laurinaitis was underrated as a three star recruit out of Wayzata in 2005, but proceeded to have a stellar career at Ohio State that included several awards and three AP All-American team selections.  This week, Laurinaitis posted 4.80 and 4.81 forty yard dash times at the NFL combine, which has led to some speculation that his NFL draft projection may be dropping.  Any team that passes on Laurinaitis based solely upon his disappointing forty yard dash time will likely come to regret that decision.  Wouldn’t he be a good fit for his home town Minnesota Vikings?:

It has been much publicized that Laurinaitis’ father is Joseph “Animal” Laurinaitis of professional wrestling fame.  Joe Laurinaitis was a member of a tag-team duo that often wrestled under the names “The Road Warriors” or “The Legion of Doom.”  When doing a few Google searches for this article I stumbled upon James Laurinaitis’ Myspace page, and if you check out his page (click here) I think that it is fair to call his list of online friends “The Legion of Poon.”

So then, why should a team draft a player with a disappointing forty yard dash time?  Instinct, fundamentals, football smarts and attitude.  Having watched the Buckeye defense the last few years, Laurinaitis was one of those rare players who could read plays before they happened and was seldom fooled.  In many ways, linebackers are like poker players.  Linebackers need to be able to read the quarterback and the rest of the offense before the play even begins.  Also, good linebackers not only need to be unafraid of contact but must look forward to making hits.  What Laurinaitis lacks in straight line speed he makes up for with great jumps on the ball, smart reads of the offense, and an ass-kicking attitude that he undoubtedly inherited or learned from his father:

I can remember watching the old NWA wrestling programs that featured The Road Warriors.  Their theme song at the time was Black Sabbath’s “Ironman.”  James Laurinaitis should be an ironman for whatever NFL team drafts him.  In my opinion the question is not whether or not he’ll be a starting linebacker in the NFL, but whether or not he’ll be Pro Bowl material.  While he’s still projected to be a late first round pick, it’s kind of like he’s an underrated three star recruit all over again.