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METAIRIE, La. (AP) -- Although the bounty scandal is now behind Jonathan Vilma, so are nine punishing NFL seasons.

The Saints linebacker and longtime defensive captain appreciates that many will wonder if he's lost a step after 870 tackles since turning pro in 2004, not to mention several knee procedures in the past two years. Vilma responds confidently to the skepticism, saying his rehabilitation is complete, and that he is in his best physical shape in years.

''Physically, I'm very good, a lot better than last year,'' Vilma asserted. ''I'd be stupid to say I feel as great as when I was a rookie. Of course not. I do feel able to run and do all the things that I was able to do back in 2010. ... I just needed a little time (to rehabilitate) that I didn't get last year because of everything that was going on.''

Indeed, a year has made a big difference in many aspects of Vilma's life. Last summer, while fighting his bounty suspension in federal court, he testified that damage to his reputation hurt his ability to raise money for business and charity endeavors.

Now, not only does he believe his football career is back on track, he is also expanding his business interests. Already an investor in multiple restaurants and bars, Vilma spoke said he prepared for Thursday's launch of his new venture involving a smartphone application catering to bars and club patrons.

The launch coincided with reporting day for Saints training camp.

''I've been fortunate to play football and make a living out of it, but business has always interested me,'' said Vilma, who majored in finance at Miami, and whose new venture is called BarEye.

This season, meanwhile, should provide a clearer picture of how long Vilma can expect to remain in the business of playing football.

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|Mitch|

Good news!

SmashMouth

Awesome... I would love it if he were to really shine in the next couple of years.

homerj07

I cant make p my mind on Vilma.

Didn't he leave the Jets because the went to the defense - WE JUST CHANGED TOO??

That bothers me. Yes he is an older, smarter and slower player. So...?

hagan714

good news because i see a very busy year for him. he can start at ILB and OLB as well. it will be interesting to see how all of this shapes up by game 8 of the season

jeanpierre

There sure are repetitious reports from he and staff about how good a shape he's in...

xan

My cat is in great shape too.

My wife fell and the little bugger danced all over her for 3 minutes.

Doesn't mean the cat can tackle.

SmashMouth

Need a video of that said cat...

spkb25

This scares the hell out of me- every tiem I hear a player talk about how great they're feeling and ready to go it is like a dud lit firecracker. **** Vilma say it ain't so

Danno

Mangini's 3-4 was a 2-gap, which requires both ILB's to frequently take on OG's head up.

Ryan's 3-4 will play Vilma at the weak inside LB which is very similar to playing the WILL in a 4-3. He won't be asked to take on OG's nearly as frequently as he had to in Mangini's 3-4.

Also, we will be in a base 3-4 less than 50% of the snaps (according to Payton).

Shouldn't be a problem at all,maybe.

I know he was hurt, but Vilma graded out horribly as an OLB last year (100 out of 109), but as we all know everyone did under the Spags debacle.

I guess the real question is can Vilma play WILL?