Pick your linebacker: Laurinaitis or Maualuga
CINCINNATI _ Preseason or not, tonight’s St. Louis Rams contest in Cincinnati provides an opportunity for Rams fans to compare and contrast at linebacker. The Rams chose James Laurinaitis of Ohio State early in the second round, passing on a chance to take Rey Maualuga of Southern California, who had been projected as a first-round pick. The Bengals took Maualuga just three picks after the Rams selected Laurinaitis.
Was it the right move? It usually takes a few years to sort those things out. Not surprisingly, Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo is glad to have Laurinaits over Maualuga or anybody else available at that point in the draft.
“We studied a lot of tape on a lot of guys, and there were a lot of guys on the board when it came to that pick,” Spagnuolo said earlier in the week. “We’re glad we took the guy we did.”
While Laurinaitis is firmly entrenched as the Rams’ starting middle linebacker; Maualuga has been running with the second team in Cincinnati _ at strongside linebacker. Maualuga missed the Bengals’ preseason opener with a hamstring injury but was impressive last week against New England, with three tackles (one for loss) and a quarterback pressure.
Laurinaitis has five tackles so far this preseason, and intercepted a pass last week against Atlanta.
* Injuries to Reggie Kelly (Achilles) and Ben Utecht (concussion) have given Mizzou tight end Chase Coffman a golden opportunity for a lot of playing time this season, maybe even a starting berth for the Bengals. Kelly is out for the season; and there’s a chance that Utecht’s latest concussion could be career ending.
* Former Rams second-round draft pick Brian Leonard is competing for the No. 2 running back spot in Cincy behind Cedric Benson. Leonard, who wears jersey No. 40 for the Bengals, is thought of as stricly a running back in Cincinnati after bouncing between fullback and running back _ when healthy _ in two seasons in St. Louis. Rookie Bernard Scott, a sixth-round draft pick from Abilene Christian, and LIndenwood University product DeDe Dorsey are also in the mix.
I’ll go with JL. Better player overall…less baggage.
I love JL and the swagger he brings to the team. He seems to be a natural leader and in due time will be the man in the middle to guild and direct this defense. It also warrents this comment on Maualuga he will be a strong linebacker and it all depends on the defensive system he is learning. This kid will be a force and one that will lead in many defensive catagories as well……………Go Chase Coffman, we are rooting for you…….
Its way to early to even think about making a pick between whos going to be better. Laurinaitis has shown a few bright spoys but like mosy rookies he also has shown a lot of mistakes.Most fans watch the football where it goes so the only time they notice how good a player is happens to be on a highlight I like to watch the battles inside the game and I think he will be a solid player for us. I dont see enough of Maualuga to comment. I will say this Laurinaitis is a lot farther along than Smith our 1st round pick
Maualuga is the most overrated football player in the history of college football. 79 tackles his junior year and 80 tackles his senior year? That’s half of what top linebackers have. 10 sacks in his career? That’s what a great linebacker makes in one year. For a guy who’s supposed to be the best ever, he sure disappeared in a lot of games.
JL is definately better than Maualuga and I think he’ll have the better career. I’m a Bengals fan and definately wished that the Bengals got JL, but I was happy to get Mauagluga he is going to be a great addition.