What concerns me most about Vilma is this ongoing degenerative bone condition he has...

I'm concerned for the man as a person and his long term health...

Plus, what kinda of snap limitations can he see per game?

Should he move to the OLB spot and aid in pass coverage limiting the physical toll of the run defense?

If his snaps becomes limited or situational, will he redo his contract to reflect same?

And with the uncertainty, how do you game plan to include him when you have the glaring uncertainty that his joints are breaking down?

He wants to play so he can both earn and contribute to the game he obviously loves...

And you got these media jerks beating the drum at Goodell's door each day wanting blood because the Saints dared step up and knock the Vikings out of the playoffs...

And it's a real conumdrum for the franchise as he's been a big part of changing the culture here...

I was honestly just curious about how you perceive Jeremiha Hunter and his possible future role(s).

And since I remember him exclusively playing in the WLB spot in college, I just wondered what was the reason for you to put him down as a SLB depth guy.

Going with what you stated about Vilma and his possible future role as maybe a pass coverage OLB - which I agree with - maybe Hunter could potentially provide also MLB depth?

I mention that possibility because of that one evaluation I remember reading some time a go, which stated that Hunter could potentially move to the MLB spot in the NFL, but I haven't been able to find that evaluation to post here, so I guess my recollection could be wrong about the existence of the said evaluation.

I'm just very excited about this guy - kind of like I was about Tom Johnson last off-season - and I think he could blossom into a very good LB if he fits into what Spags wants to do with the LB corps.

He is my sleeper pick at the moment for the coming season or two.

Lofton will be the MLB...

You're right that Hunter should probably be on the WLB spot as his skill set suggest he's capable of pass coverage . But, he's recovering from an achilles tendon injury - not sure how that's gonna play out...

2012 New Orleans Saints Depth Chart

This is where we are after the latest acquisitions...

Note: Free Agent Signing/Retainer or Acquisition in Bold

WR Marques Colston, Adrian Arrington, Joe Morgan
TE Jimmy Graham, David Thomas, Player to be Named
LT Jermon Bushrod
LG Ben Grubbs, Eric Olsen
C Brian De La Puente, Matt Tennant
RG Jahri Evans
RT Zach Strief, Charles Brown
FR Lance Moore, Devery Henderson
QB Drew Brees, Chase Daniel
FB Jed Collins, Korey Hall
RB Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory

RDE Will Smith, Turk McBride, Greg Romeus
RDT Sedrick Ellis, Mitch King
LDT Brodrick Bunkley, Tom Johnson
LDE Cam Jordan, Junior Galette
SLB Scott Shanle, Martez Wilson, Will Herring
MLB Jon Vilma, Curtis Lofton, Ramon Humber
WLB Chris Chamberlain, Jonathan Casillas
LCB Jabari Greer, Player to be Named
SS Roman Harper; Jonathon Amaya, Player to be Named
FS Malcolm Jenkins; Isa Abdul-Quddus
RCB Patrick Robinson, Johnny Patrick

P Thomas Morstead
K John Kasay
LS Justin Drescher

Analysis

The linebacker situation looks to be a mess - which we knew that already.

But the LB position should rebound this year

We'll have a better picture once there is resolution to the pending player penalty phase of Bountygate.

Shanle will do better at the SLB position with Spagnuolo; I think Shanle never grasped Williams' defense - though, the opposition sure did.

Not sure we keep that many linebackers.

We still need to sign another cornerback or two.

2012 New Orleans Saints Depth Chart

Note: Free Agent Signing/Retainer or Acquisition in Bold

WR Marques Colston, Adrian Arrington, Joe Morgan
TE Jimmy Graham, David Thomas, Player to be Named
LT Jermon Bushrod
LG Ben Grubbs, Eric Olsen
C Brian De La Puente, Matt Tennant
RG Jahri Evans
RT Zach Strief, Charles Brown
FR Lance Moore, Devery Henderson
QB Drew Brees, Chase Daniel
FB Jed Collins, Korey Hall
RB Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory

RDE Will Smith, Turk McBride, Greg Romeus
RDT Sedrick Ellis, Mitch King
LDT Brodrick Bunkley, Tom Johnson
LDE Cam Jordan, Junior Galette
SLB Scott Shanle, Martez Wilson, Will Herring
MLB Jon Vilma, Curtis Lofton, Ramon Humber
WLB Chris Chamberlain, Jonathan Casillas
LCB Jabari Greer, Player to be Named
SS Roman Harper; Jonathon Amaya, Player to be Named
FS Malcolm Jenkins; Isa Abdul-Quddus
RCB Patrick Robinson, Johnny Patrick

P Thomas Morstead
K John Kasay
LS Justin Drescher

Analysis

The linebacker situation has turned around real fast - interesting to see if it gels.

Do we still have Free Agent DL, especially a DT, that can protect these LineBackers?

What about the offensive line? It's pretty thin...

Speaking of thin, the DB's are thin as well - that's trouble.

Loomis praise will be premature if the big question doesn't get addressed...

l...Will Drew be signed in time to start working with the offense?

So where do you see Hawthorne fitting in the LB line-up?

I love our LB core, but we need some improvements on the Dline to protect our LB and create some pressure!

I'm not sure if there are any really smart choices available anymore on the FA market which would improve the front 4, I think that the Saints will try to address those needs via the draft.

And from what I'm reading, this is one of the deepest DL drafts in a long long time.

We can probably still get a DT with a 2nd round grade in the 3rd round.

That's what I'm hoping for... Wolfe and Hicks would be two great pick ups with relatively low risk to potential ratio, in my opinion, the Saints might even be able to "steal" them away with the 4th and the 6th picks respectively.