Linebacker position suddenly crowded for New Orleans Saints

strato · 08-10-2011, 06:37 AM

Much like the defensive line, the linebacker position suddenly is one of the most crowded on the team, as no fewer than nine players have legitimate shots of making the final New Orleans Saints roster.
Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma might be the only sure bet. He continues to be the quarterback of the defense, and the eighth-year veteran doesn't appear to be slowing down as he's coming off his third consecutive 100-plus tackle season.
But the competition is pretty intense on the outside.
Incumbent Scott Shanle has been running with the first-team defense at the weakside position. But he's being pushed by Jonathan Casillas, who won the starting job last season before suffering a foot injury. Also, rookie Nate Bussey, a seventh-round pick from Illinois, figures to have an uphill battle to make the final roster.
The starting spot at the strong-side position might not be determined until the final preseason game.

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Linebacker position suddenly crowded for New Orleans Saints | NOLA.com

08-10-2011, 06:37 AM	#1
strato Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: "Little Ole Town in Tejas" Posts: 7,586	Linebacker position suddenly crowded for New Orleans Saints Much like the defensive line, the linebacker position suddenly is one of the most crowded on the team, as no fewer than nine players have legitimate shots of making the final New Orleans Saints roster. Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma might be the only sure bet. He continues to be the quarterback of the defense, and the eighth-year veteran doesn't appear to be slowing down as he's coming off his third consecutive 100-plus tackle season. But the competition is pretty intense on the outside. Incumbent Scott Shanle has been running with the first-team defense at the weakside position. But he's being pushed by Jonathan Casillas, who won the starting job last season before suffering a foot injury. Also, rookie Nate Bussey, a seventh-round pick from Illinois, figures to have an uphill battle to make the final roster. The starting spot at the strong-side position might not be determined until the final preseason game. Read the rest Linebacker position suddenly crowded for New Orleans Saints \| NOLA.com Attached Thumbnails