Who is going to start at lb.?
 

This is my first thread so bare with me. Thanks Mitch!!

Wilson, Lofton, Hawthorne

I see that combo as well.

ditto

Agreed, but I would also like a combination where one of those three would be replaced by Vilma - if he's healthy and not suspended.

I'm sure Spags will have them rotating in and out depending on the situation, I expect Chamberlain to get some play as well

This looks good to me.

Naturally, but I was more so speaking about the starting trio.

well unless Vilmas knees up and magically improve; Hawthorne, Lofton, and Wilson are all more athletic...

Hawthorne, Lofton and Wilson ain't none too shabby. Rotate Vilma and Chamberlain in and out . This looks like a good squad on paper.

Not magic, but surgery and rehab. ;-)

But, yeah I know what you mean and that's why I made the statement "if he's healthy" in regards to Vilma being in the starting trio.

He has superior coverage skills to any one of those 3 and he probably has a better sense of how the other guys around him play and react to certain situations, which helps with any pre-snap adjustments they would have to make.

Spags brought in 3 lb.'s, Vilma better hope those surgical wheels of his are fine, I would deal him for a low draft pick and take a good hard look at Bussey.

SLB-- Wilson
MLB-- Lofton
WLB-- Hawthorne

After 8 weeks into the season (Vilma's suspension)

SLB-- Wilson
MLB-- Lofton
WLB-- Vilma

If Vilma can come back healthy and play WLB this LB core would be the best in the NFL.

I read earlier today that someone saw the Saints' predraft whiteboard... The starting LBs were Casillas, Vilma & Lofton. Which makes some sense. I heard early on that Lofton can play OLB & he himself said he didn't care as long as he was on the field.

But the one thing I took from Greg Williams that I fell in love with, was his philosophy of "every guy is a starter". Penciled in as a matter of protocol, but it all comes down to situations.

Anyhow, that's my 2 cents. This is my first post, as I just became a member.

Gentlemen, Ladies, it's an honor! In 2012, we're gonna ROCK this league!

Welcome!

Shanle, Chamberlain, Vilma

Welcome to the board 4thqtrsaint!! A very good first post as well because I hadn't heard that and the inclusion of Casillas intrigues me. I love the guy, but man it just hasn't panned out the way I was hoping it would for him. I have to say that I'm in love with the idea of Hawthorne at weakside LB, Lofton in the middle, and Wilson at strongside LB.

Vima suspended
Dunbar, Lofton, Casillas

Vilma playing
Dunbar, Vilma, Lofton

3rd down
Lofton, Vilma, Casillas

It's Casillas' job to lose to Martez. Health is key here.

Dunbar's playing for the Rams. The Saints didn't appear to make him an offer.

I'm a big fan of Vilma so I hope he's healthy and not suspended.
Who knows what we'll get from Casillas this year?
There are a bunch of questions at the LB position but I would guess that its:
WLB- M Wilson
MLB- Vilma
SLB- Lofton

Lofton taking over MLB if/when Vilma's out and Hawthorne or Chamberlain taking Lofton's position.

Casillas is more a weakside LB, Wilson is more of a strongside... I don't see Casillas beating out Lofton, Hawthorne, or Wilson to start. For that matter; I don't see Vilma beating out Lofton, Hawthorne, or Wilson to start.

Going strictly off of "right now" athletic ability...

To add on to my previous post
SLB- Wilson
has the size and athletic ability to play close to the line in off-set formations. The long arms provide him the ability to extend off of and shed blocks, this combined with his ability to blitz the QB make him the perfect SLB.
MLB-Lofton
Played the position very well, made the pro-bowl multiple years. Very aggressive against the run, fills holes well and shows enough strength to stand up lead blockers in the hole. Coverage skills are average at best but have shown improvement in recent years.
WLB-Vilma
Has the size and speed to fit the will role. His time in the league allows him to recognize play calls. Has the best coverage skills of all LBs on the team. Good blitzing ability off the edge and has shown the ability to shed blocks as well as stretch plays.

- to look at what others have posted.
---Really? Shanle in the starting rotation. The guy should have been on the bench last year and with the talent we have added I hope he gets cut.
---Casillas was someone i loved to watch and i thought he could be a star, however after watching him this last season (when healthy) he shows the lack of good tackling, can't shed blockers and is consistently out of position when approaching open field tackles.

What? No Shanle?

Dunbar gone? Wow, how did I miss that one?

Yeah, Dunbar gone... I loved him cleaning clocks on special teams. I'm hearing Casillas will sign tender this week. I hope that's true. He's not the beast I was hoping for either, but I don't think he's hit his stride or topped out yet.

Either way, our D us gonna ROCK this league this year!! Book it!!

in response to a few of the posts here, didn't Lofton hint that he would go to one of the sides and Vilma would be middle?

I don't care who starts as long as Shanle is cut before preseason games

I could see Hawthorne Lofton Wilson week 1 until Vilma comes back then rotate Vilma in when we can use him

Lofton,Hawthorn,Chamberline we will see how much Wilson gets in there he will have to beat out one of these three to be a starter. Vilma is going to be out for a while I think maybe with a storg support cast he will have more impact that also remains to be seen.

I think Shanle has a decent chance to make the team, hear me out. Plays every game, never hurt{like the rest get}, great at tackling, team player and Spags wanted him in St. Louis. If not a starter he would be a above average back-up. O.K. Let me have it!!!