Robo Is Coming Back, But Who Joins Him?
Robo sacked upWith so many juniors exploring their NFL options and a rich tradition of Buckeyes leaving early, fans have pretty much braced themselves for the worst heading into the January 15th deadline to declare.
Tonight, the first junior to finalize his decision had good news for Buckeye Nation — Brian Robiskie is coming back for another run in 2008.
Robo turned in pretty solid numbers with 55 receptions for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year. He’s a marketing major with a chance to become only the 6th Buckeye to twice be named Academic All-American and we know his pops has some scratch, so the news probably won’t surprise many, but it’s good news, nonetheless.
I know he’s taken some heat for his 2nd quarter drop of a perfectly thrown Boeckman ball that would have tied the score, but if you go back and watch the play, it wasn’t a drop — Chevis Jackson just made a brilliant defensive play at the last moment.
Regardless, Boeckman can use all the help he can get next season and the return of his top 2 receivers can’t hurt. Besides, it will give the guys another 12 months to figure out how to get open against SEC cornerbacks.
This leaves Laurinaitis, Freeman (probably gone), Gholston, Jenkins and Boone to make their decisions over the next 5 days. While Freeman, Gholston and Jenkins are ready and should go, I think that Laurinaitis and Boone would be smart to come back for another year of seasoning.
39 Responses
gotta disagree with you on Robo being sans fault on that 2nd quarter drop that was part and parcel of being held scoreless for, well, ever. The slightest of touches jarred that thing loose to where I think it’d be more appropriate Robo for not hauling that in tighter. Oh well.
That said, I still love him and am glad to hear he’s coming back. Don’t think the money thing ever really matters any more; I’m guessing Laurinaitis’ dad lives kinda comfortably, though he might need the income from spot wrestling appearances in Japan or wherever, but he seems to be carefully stewing over the NFL. Gonzo’s dad is quite loaded and he still left as well. Not alot of cases for comparison there, but alas.
anon. - 01/11/08 @ 1:44 am - #
I swear I’m not picking on anyone here, or flying the SEC colors when I say: I don’t understand how Laurinaitis is a top-level NFL prospect?
I have yet to see him play well against elite competition. I know he was the leading tackler in this year’s championship game, but we all know that is a highly, highly misleading stat.
In my view he’s maybe a 6th-rounder. I felt the same thing about Florida’s Brandon Siler, who unwisely chose to go pro after his junior year. Siler was a beast physically but didn’t have great closing speed. Siler thought he was a first-rounder; I thought there was a good chance he’d go undrafted. He barely made it, getting selected in the 6th round. Part of that was because he’d had two knee operations, but I really think another year spent working on speed and fundamentals would have helped him.
I’ve never seen a “wow” play by Laurinaitis against a top-tier team. Maybe there have been a few, but they must be few and far between. He usually seems to tackle only after a first down, or 10 yards, whichever’s worse for his team.
Not a bashfest, I just don’t see how in the world this guy is someone the NFL would covet right now.
Gatorpilot - 01/11/08 @ 9:09 am - #
This is a very pleasant surprise. I say surprise because these days I just assume any Junior with a good season is gone. Hopefully Robo’s staying will lead to others staying.
I still think the only reason Gonzo left was because of all the others leaving.
Matthew - 01/11/08 @ 9:20 am - #
no points for seond place boys. the plaque for the alternates is in the ladies room.
mav - 01/11/08 @ 9:41 am - #
Gotta kind of agree with Gatorpilot on this one. I freaking love Laurinaitis…..however, he has never really struck me as an A.J. Hawk type of Dominating linebacker. My best comparison is Will Allen to Mike Doss……Lil Animal would be the Will Allen….his stats look good, he occasionally makes the BIG play…..but he’s not really gonna wow you with his overall performance. I think he should stay another year to get all the bugs out and I’m not saying that as a fan who wants him to stay. I also think Alex Boone should stay because he needs to work on his first step in pass protection. I think Jenkins and Gholston should leave because they are ready……and I could go either way with Freeman. Although he’ll most likely be a 2nd to 3rd rounder, he has the speed and athletic ability to last a while in the pros.
Wil - 01/11/08 @ 10:15 am - #
Ohio State’s history of producing pretty good LB’s under Tressel is definitely helping The Animal’s stock. People want the next Hawk, or Carpenter, or whatever.
This draft has what, 3 first round LBs? Maybe. Rivers and The Animal are the only lock 1st rounders, IMO.
Connor or Highsmith could be late 1st rounders if the right things happen. I think one of these could push the other one out of the 1st round.
Matthew - 01/11/08 @ 11:17 am - #
Gotta disagree.
JL looks great against mediocre competition, but against better teams, well, he does not always stand out. He does play hard and has great pursuit. He flows well sideline-to-sideline and if you don’t get a blocker on him he will find you and tackle you. He’s good on his zone drops, too. However, some teams have eliminated him from their games just by blocking him. And, many of his tackles are 6-10 yards down the field, so at times he is not getting behind or even on the LOS. He seems to do well with pass coverage and he can run with TE’s and even get good coverage on WR’s. The biggest downside is that he does not always shed blocks. Laurinitis sometimes makes tackles downfield by scrapping off blockers and lunging to make tackles, instead of shedding a block and making a tackle at the LOS.
Though, it did look like LSU had 2 O-Lineman get out and double team at times, so that says a lot about him and the lack of some other players picking up the slack and making an opportunity of getting the target at the LOS or behind it.
The thing to remember, is that osu runs a pro style defense while lsu runs a spread option style offense…neither JL or the rest of the buckeyes that get drafted will have to worry about playing against gimmick offenses in the NFL. LSU’s offense wouldnt work in the nfl…kind of like the wishbone option years back. Even though LSU has the ability to go with the two-back zone read stuff, as well as four wides, mixed in with some power running, they use a lot of pitches and options. Plus, Quarterbacks in college who run and throw well are problematic to any defense. Not as problematic in the NFL.
I think JL would make a good run stuffer in the NFL, but he does need some more work.
Jim Thorpe - 01/11/08 @ 11:44 am - #
“I don’t understand how Laurinaitis is a top-level NFL prospect….In my view he’s maybe a 6th-rounder.”
Is this a joke? NFL Draft Countdown projects him at the 8th pick overall. WalterFootball.com has him going 9th overall. Draft King has him going 6th overall. Sport Projections has him going 7th overall. NFL Draft Dog has him going 9th overall. And the list goes on. To be sure, there are some who don’t think he is first round talent, but the 6th round? That’s ridiculous. The majority have him in the upper half of the first round, barring any injury during workouts.
GoBucks89 - 01/11/08 @ 1:51 pm - #
No joke. I usually evaluate players by what I see rather than what mock draft websites say.
Brandon Siler was a 3rd to 4th round pick, they said. I said he’d be 6th round+.
Don’t think this is a slam session, because it’s not. We just happen to be talking about a Bucks player here. He seems like a pretty average linebacker to me despite his awards.
If 6th round is too high, and I’ve missed a lot of great plays by Laurinaitis, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say maybe late 4th round?
Gatorpilot - 01/11/08 @ 2:20 pm - #
Lol, Gatorpilot has issues.
Fortunately, no one in the NFL will be knocking on Gatorpilot’s door, anytime soon, for scouting talent ability and play analysis. Nope, gatorpilot is more suited to picking up jocks and broomsticking prefrosh.
Jim Thorpe - 01/11/08 @ 2:40 pm - #
I’ll give him $19 to pick up my jock.
Antonio Henton - 01/11/08 @ 2:48 pm - #
If you don’t think the perception of the Buckeyes throughout the nation took a huge blow, then take a look at ESPN’s fan poll where Kansas is ranked higher than the Buckeyes.
Wil - 01/11/08 @ 3:23 pm - #
Well, let’s wait and see how he does in the pros. He always has the chance to prove me wrong.
Gatorpilot - 01/11/08 @ 3:30 pm - #
“Is this a joke? NFL Draft Countdown projects him at the 8th pick overall. WalterFootball.com has him going 9th overall. Draft King has him going 6th overall. Sport Projections has him going 7th overall. NFL Draft Dog has him going 9th overall. And the list goes on. To be sure, there are some who don’t think he is first round talent, but the 6th round? That’s ridiculous. The majority have him in the upper half of the first round, barring any injury during workouts.”
Respectfully, predraft prognosticators are hardly effective judges of talent. For as many accurate predictions as you can conjure up via these folks, I can count up as many dismal failures.
The way he plays on the field does not show me that he is a 1st-round talent. I hope he is. I love Ohio State. I love James Laurinaitis. But he’s not ready for the NFL, and has a lot of holes in his game.
Of course, I feel the same way about Gholston, and think Jenkins is the only junior who might legitimately be ready to go, so that shows what I know.
I guess we’ll find out in six or seven years.
Joe Fox - 01/11/08 @ 3:44 pm - #
I’ll swallow what has somehow, inexplicably become a Buckeye Pride issue on this and totally agree with Gatorpilot.
JL has been good for us and come up huge on some important occassions. Hell, I remember when he came into the game when Carpenter busted his leg and was effective as a freshman. But I think he lacks the “it” that some guys have. Yeah, he has the instinct and the physical tools. But I just don’t think he’s utilizing them fully yet. He could go, but I don’t see him being an immediate impact player like A.J. Hawk has been. I see him honestly as more of a Bobby Carpenter. Bobby has been backing up in the 5th or 6th linebacker spot on a team that uses 4 of them and has been forced to make plays on Special Teams. I think that if JL sticks around one more year he can refine some of the things that he’s missing on (bad coverage skills, still arm tackles) and improve on what will be his career.
On a side note, can we stop with the firing back defensively at someone because their from the SEC bullshit. I’m so tired of it. The conference arguement is aging faster than a cut apple.
dave - 01/11/08 @ 3:51 pm - #
*they’re
dave - 01/11/08 @ 3:51 pm - #
As I said before, I also agree with Gatorpilot on this issue, I wouldn’t say sixth round but I would say late 1st day early 2nd day. He has the tools and could get drafted high on potential……but he wouldn’t be a REAL contributor for 3-4 years if he leaves now. Dave seems to be right on when he says that he’s just missing that “it” quality.
Wil - 01/11/08 @ 4:23 pm - #
Do I hear another Matt Wilhelm?
Corey - 01/11/08 @ 4:26 pm - #
JL needs some work, no doubt, but you guys have clouded your minds with emotional taint from the loss.
And Dave, you are a wimp. I fire back at anyone who blatantly blows smoke, and/or cries about some gold old fashioned talk.
If JL goes pro this year, he will go in the first two rounds. Probably in the first 10 picks. And, with some good coaching and more experience he will be a decent player in the NFL. Not very many people become allstars in the NFL. Not too many Ray Lewis’s or Brian Urlacher’s playing the game.
Most players in the NFL are middle of the road, with a few good ones, and an even smaller number of superlative players.
Dave you need to grow a sack. Maybe, you and gatorpilot can work together on jock pickup duty and broomsticking practice.
Jim Thorpe - 01/11/08 @ 4:38 pm - #
Corey, great comparison, Wilhelm and Laurinaitis are about the same skill level if comparing each of they’re last years in college (assuming this is Lil Animals last year), but Wilhelm never got the glory and was not a top round pick. Laurinaitis has more potential and if he stays another year he could improve his all around game. I know this may piss some Buckeye fans off, but I really don’t think he is ready yet…..I was actually much more impressed with Freeman this year.
Wil - 01/11/08 @ 4:59 pm - #
Jenkins is staying.
Matthew - 01/11/08 @ 5:02 pm - #
Jenkins is staying. Vern is turning pro.
Chris - 01/11/08 @ 5:07 pm - #
Again, he needs some more work. But odds are, he would be a first or second round pick. And, a good coach like Bill Belichick could get JL ready to play more quickly than you might think.
JL will not be as bad as some have indicated.
Your opinion does not hurt, WIL. And, it is not spot on either. I agree, that JL should stay another year, but I would bet he would still do well if he did take off early.
Mark my words and let us see what happens!
Gatorpilot, Dave, and WIL vs Jim Thorpe.
Do you girls want the over or the under?
Jim Thorpe - 01/11/08 @ 5:09 pm - #
Guys, last year, when he had two dominant DTs in front of him, he was the everything that was hyped. He’s the real deal. Did he have problems shedding blocks this year? Yeah, but shedding a OG isn’t something too many LBs are good at. TEs, RBs, sure. But if the OL is getting to you, you aren’t likely to stop much as a LB. Any criticisms of JL’s play must be framed in the context of two DE’s playing DT.
Freeman looked great, but unless his family needs the income, I’d be surprised. I see him as a second day pick.
Dan Isaacs (most of these were typed as lowercase letters.) - 01/11/08 @ 9:44 pm - #
Oh, and Boone shuld stay. He’s a late 1st/2nd rounder now. But if he plays next year and his RB wins the Heisman…he might be a top 5 pick. That’s a whole different level of money.
Dan Isaacs (most of these were typed as lowercase letters.) - 01/11/08 @ 9:45 pm - #
Dan, those are great points about the interior DL, but I’m trying hard to remember Laurinaitis plays where I stood back and said “Wow!” outside of the screen pick at Washington.
I think Joe put it best above when he said:
Sidenote - is Leman the Spielman of the 2008 draft?
Jason - 01/11/08 @ 10:03 pm - #
Since when did this become about my sack (sic)?
I don’t even know if you’re for real or not anymore, ghost of a great olympic athlete and native American, but the fact is that he probably will go early on the draft and end up not living up to the potential of a first rounder. That’s just an opinion from what I’ve seen in all of the 24 years that I’ve been here.
As far as blowing smoke…I’m not sure whose feathers I’ve tried to ruffle that you haven’t already moved about, but I think that this is trite and not worth my time.
Maybe since the internet is probably permanent, we can come back here in a few years after JL has spent his rookie contract filling in on special teams for the Raiders or the Bengals and talk about how great he could’ve been if he’d have just learned how to cover a motherfucking tight end that catches eight goddamn passes in the fucking NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.
dave - 01/11/08 @ 11:37 pm - #
Not to pour on at poor James’ expense, but for me, two things stood out in addition to what I perceive as overall “averageness” in Laurinaitis’ play.
1) LSU seemed to target him in this game as a desirable player to match up against. Whether it was Jacob Hester out of the backfield, or lobbing the pigskin to Dickson (the “tight end who caught eight goddamn passes”), Laurinaitis seemed to always be the guy who LSU wanted their players to run at. That’s how he got 18 tackles. And if you’re a college LB who can’t cover a TE, exactly who are you gonna be able to cover in the National Football League?
2) Too much praise sent Laurinaitis’ way from LSU’s camp prior to the game. I’m being serious, it was like an internal joke or something. Those players have seen tougher linebackers week in and week out.
To the guys who think JL is deserving of a first round selection: I’m the NFL pro scout. Explain to me why this guy is so outstanding I have to have him in the first, or even second round. Tell me about his great plays. Tell me about his closing speed, his ability to wrap up, how gets off his blocks, how he isn’t easily fooled on misdirection plays, how he’s got an uncanny nose for the football and is always “flying around”. Because in two years of watching him play I haven’t seen it, at least not when the Bucks play teams at their level.
Gatorpilot - 01/12/08 @ 12:11 am - #
Gatorpilot. I was on your side until this comment:
“Too much praise sent Laurinaitis’ way from LSU’s camp prior to the game. I’m being serious, it was like an internal joke or something. Those players have seen tougher linebackers week in and week out.”
After that you look like every other bias delusional SEC fan. I may not think JL is 1st round material…..but he was still the best that LSU faced.
Wil - 01/12/08 @ 1:46 am - #
Sorry, Wil. We’ve probably beaten this to death anyway. Like all student-athletes, I wish James the best.
Gatorpilot - 01/12/08 @ 9:31 am - #
Me too. But I think the best thing for him would be to come back and face some tougher competition as OSU’s schedule gets a big shot in the @$$ with an early trip USC. The schedule was WAY to weak this year & that did show that they were not able to deal with losing a lead before half-time.
Wil - 01/12/08 @ 11:35 am - #
I don’t get the impression that nobody was “able” to cover the TE. Just that far too often, nobody tried to.
Dan Isaacs (most of these were typed as lowercase letters.) - 01/12/08 @ 1:55 pm - #
Dan exactly!
Also, LSU’s tight end lined as a tackle on one of the plays, then after making a block went out into space for a reception. So, it was not that anyone could not cover him, it was a lack of discipline and maintaining assignments and being aware of the unusal matchups that were going on. And assuming that someone else would cover the TE.
The Bucks lost, but it was not on JL’s account. It was a combination of things and the coaching staff did not prepare them enough to handle the variety of plays/formations that were coming at them. LSU was more mature, more prepared, and stronger at the Line of scrimmage for this game. The offensive play calling was impressive and kept Ohio St. off balance. The execution on the part of the players was great, and with amazingly few penalties, therefore, no surprise that LSU played the best game of their season. Plus, Jim Heacock, who, for the second straight season, came out and didn’t have a decent game plan for the defense and also took most of the game to make any adjustments.
Crowton is a superior play caller and Heacock did not have what it takes to match up against him.
Anyway, remember, part of the games where JL appeared to not stand out, was based on his assignment for that game. Case in point: Penn State. Dan Connor looked more impressive because he had more tackles, but that does not tell the truth of that game. Laurinaitis was told to protect the outside more than the middle in that game, which would account for the big tackle totals Marcus Freeman racked up that night. And, made his totals go down. Also, schemes to stop Laurinaitis give Freeman a chance to run wild. Michigan’s Shawn Crable was in on 10 tackles to Laurinaitis’ six. But defensive end Vernon Gholston destroyed the Wolverines, because a lot of attention was given to JL.
And as mentioned by Dan; the front four kept blockers off Laurinaitis last year, when he won the Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defensive player. But Quinn Pitcock and Jay Richardson are gone. So, it has been more difficult to play at a high level against better teams, not too mention his assignment for any given game.
Other than a 19-tackle (with nine solos) spree against Wisconsin, Laurinaitis has not shown the savagery of the others on the list of OSU’s best-ever linebackers. However, Laurinaitis was the Big Ten coaches’ Defensive Player of the Year, though. That carries some weight.
And, just because OSU’s defense was not playing as well as capable, doesn’t mean JL is that bad. JL did receive some double teams in that game. And, the NC is not indicative of how a college player will perform in the NFL. It is the overall body of work and the players attitude, work ethic, and ability to be coached. JL has the goods.
I agree JL needs some work, but he is not as bad as some of you make him out to be. Further, it does not matter what place I think he would get selected, what matters is what the real NFL scouts and coaches see in him. And, it sure looks like some NFL scouts/coaches are looking at JL as a first or second round pick at the latest.
Many players out of college have needed development and have gone on to succeed. JL can make himself into a great player through tons of practice and by being very dedicated in the film room. Most rookies do not come to the NFL with a pro bowl, or ready to play ability; they develop that through practice & film study. Football intelligence comes from experience. His style of play is based on good speed/pursuit and his hands. If a position requires mostly great strength & lateral quickness, then he is not the best for that style. But that is all about matchups for particular schemes and so on.
Jim Thorpe - 01/12/08 @ 7:06 pm - #
Great points Mr. Thorpe. Do you think JL helped, hurt or maintained his draft status with his BCS performance?
Jason - 01/12/08 @ 7:21 pm - #
Gatorpilot: “No joke. I usually evaluate players by what I see rather than what mock draft websites say.”
Joe Fox: “Respectfully, predraft prognosticators are hardly effective judges of talent…….The way he plays on the field does not show me that he is a 1st-round talent. ”
It doesn’t matter what you or I or anyone else on this site thinks. It’s what the pro scouts think that matters. Obviously, things will be adjusted after combines and workouts. But at the moment, NFL scouts LOVE James Laurinaitis. That is what those draft sites are communicating. He’s ranked either #1 or #2 at LB by every draft ranking I have seen. There is no way he is going to last until the 6th round.
GoBucks89 - 01/12/08 @ 10:07 pm - #
OK. He’s so good it doesn’t even register on my senses. Amazing. Good luck in the pros, JL! (Should you decide to go!)
Gatorpilot - 01/12/08 @ 11:40 pm - #
“OK. He’s so good it doesn’t even register on my senses. Amazing. Good luck in the pros, JL! (Should you decide to go!)”
Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not claiming any knowledge about how he will do in the pros. He could be a bust, ala Dan Wilkinson or Lorenzo Styles. All I’m saying is that he’ll be taken high. And like the rest, I think he should return, although for different reasons. I just think players should put the team first and set an example for the younger guys. Unless a player really needs the money to support his family, he should stay in school. I’ve never seen a football player really hurt his pro prospects by staying for his last year. Mike Doss and Will Smith were still taken very high in the draft. But I think Ashton Youboty really hurt himself by coming out early. And Antonio Pittman’s story is a sad one too.
GoBucks89 - 01/13/08 @ 8:12 am - #
Pittman was ready to go, and played pretty well when Steven Jackson was hurt. Why is he a sad case?
It’s easy for us to say a guy should stay. But we don’t know what his life is like. The NFL minimum is still a boatload of money for most people. Making it is a reasonable risk for a player to make in many cases.
Dan Isaacs (most of these were typed as lowercase letters.) - 01/13/08 @ 10:08 am - #
Dan Isaacs: you make a good point and one that we forget sometimes as sports fans. It’s easy for us to casually pass judgement and say “he should have waited” or “he should have gone earlier.” The truth is that being drafted in any round is a huge financial windfall for the prospect and that is a decision which they deserve to make on behalf of themselves and their families without overt criticism.
However, it is frustrating when it seems “obvious” the player should return for another year, and he doesn’t. The frustration I feel when I see this isn’t just for the fact that my team is missing out on a good player, it’s for the good of that player. We care a lot about these people we’ve never met, don’t we?
Gatorpilot - 01/13/08 @ 11:03 am - #
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