It took a while, but rookie MLB James Laurinaitis, the Rams’ second-round pick in this year’s draft, has clearly grown on daily team observers. "I have to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised," one veteran team insider said of the three-time All-American out of Ohio State. "I was more in the Rey Maualuga camp (drafted by the Bengals three spots behind Laurinaitis) because he was supposed to be more a thumper. But Laurinaitis turned out to be much stronger at the point of attack than I expected. He also has displayed very good range, going wide to bring guys down and dropping into coverage."