Saints report: Inside slant
 

Team Reports | NFL Football at CBSSports.com

The current Saints' coaching staff believes Vilma can be the impact linebacker they desperately need to anchor the interior of their defense. That's why they eagerly dealt a fourth-round pick to the Jets to get the athletic 6-foot-1, 230-pounder.

While Vilma is coming off a knee injury and subsequent surgery that limited him to just seven games in 2007, the Saints are confident that he'll recover fully and be the player he was before the injury.

Vilma was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004 after compiling 118 tackles, three interceptions, and two sacks. In 2005, he led the NFL in tackles (169) and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl.