Vilma has knee surgery
 

Didn't think I saw this posted yet, but sounds like our boy's knee is worse than previously thought.
New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma has knee surgery: source - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

Dang it. .... Not many other details revealed.... Hopefully he can return this year.

This is going to hurt

Heal up V.....Shanle and Dunbar got to keep the young guys in line till you get back..

I maybe in the minority here, but I think Dunbar is filling in quite nicely.

I agree Mitch, I have no issues with Dunbar.

Me either...that stop today on the FB was crucial...i like his speed and the way he hits...he will get better to..Shanle is teaching the young fella..:-D

Definitely not Mitch. He has filled in nicely in V's absence.

Hope its just a clean-up. Makes sense since we have a bye week coming up.

Dunbar is doing good, maybe when Vilma gets back he has a job. I don't like to see any body hurt. The way Dunbar has been playing it may be hard to unseat him.

Agreed. I don't think he's playing as well as the 2009 Vilma, but he's playing as well as the 2011 version for sure.

IIRC this is his first NFL season at MLB isn't it?

So the question is...

When was the surgery
How bad was the knee
When is he coming back?

The only thing about Dunbar is the the switching of plays, Vilma had that down because he's been "the guy" in GW's D for 3 years. Dunbar will get used to that with more game time though, I like what he's been doing, the guy hits well and has good speed

A percieved lack of speed was one of the knocks on Dunbar when he came into th leauge, but it seems like he is fast enough. I would not be suprised if our starting LBs next year are Casillas, Dunbar and Wilson.

Absolutely fine with this. Hopefully he heals in time for the playoffs. He wasn't helping us much out there being gimp anyways. Dunbar is more than capable for the time being.

Dunbar >>>>>>>>>> gimp Vilma

Good, let him get healthy- we are going to need that man late, and healthy!

I still think a healthy Vilma is better but Dunbar has been great. Is there a reason Dunbar seems to play in the middle better?

Yeah because Vilma was hurt. No way Dun is better than JV healthy. I am glad we have a solid backup in Dun, but I agree Norm, we need JV down the stretch!

Its his naturl position, he played MLB in College

Exactly. I think Payton is playing the no-info game here, just releasing what the league requires.
Hopefully a month off will be all Vilma needs and we'll see him against NYG.

and I agree that Dunbar has played well- he looks comfortable

Only one of our LBers has a positive ranking in a recent article I read.