Rating: (0 votes - average)

Saints linebacker Vilma making big plays after signing new deal

METAIRIE — When New Orleans Saints officials re-signed middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma to a five-year, $34 million contract in March, they were obviously expecting a nice return on their hefty investment.

Of course, they already knew what they were getting from Vilma.

The six-year veteran certainly made his case for a huge payday after he was obtained in a trade with the New York Jets on Feb. 29, 2008. He never came off the field last season and finished with a team-high 151 tackles, with one interception, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one sack.

Vilma earned his money last season, and he has done nothing to suggest that he isn’t earning his keep this season — especially in the last two games.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder has made three big plays in the closing minutes of games with the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons, helping the Saints stay undefeated through 13 games.

Without Vilma’s impact plays, the Saints may not have escaped with three-point victories and remained unscathed going into Saturday night’s game with the Dallas Cowboys in the Superdome.

All three plays were impressive, but the gem that stood out was the fourth-and-2 play that the Falcons tried Sunday when they were attempting to get into position for a game-tying field goal with just more than a minute left.

Recognizing a formation the Falcons had used to burn the Saints for a 38-yard reception on the third play of the game, Vilma watched running back Jason Snelling sneak out of the backfield to catch a pass over the middle from quarterback Chris Redman.

At just the precise moment, Vilma cracked Snelling down after he caught the ball and gained just one of the two yards he needed for a first down — turning the ball over on downs to the Saints to kill the clock.

Saints defensive end Will Smith said it was the consummate play from a student of the game.

“He read it,” Smith said with a smile Wednesday. “It was something that we worked on all week, and something that he saw during the course of a game several times (on film). At that time and that moment, he had to be perfect. He was perfect, and he made the play.”

Like Smith, weakside linebacker Scott Shanle said the play was a result of the work Vilma puts in while preparing for each and every game.

“When you see him make plays like that, you feel good for him because he puts in so much time,” Shanle said. “I mean, he’s always watching film. He’s really a student of the game.

2theadvocate.com | Sports | Earning his keep — Baton Rouge, LA

exile

Pro Bowl! How did the Jets let this cat go?

DjBlueBeast

man i was so hype after vilma knocked that guy down

neugey

I can now say the Vilma trade is as important to the Saints as the Gasol trade was to the Lakers.

Rugby Saint II

If I remember correctly we got him because the Jets went from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. Even though we run a mix of the defensive alignments, he's doing it under GW and he is more of a head hunter here. He'll make the Pro Bowl for sure. My next jersey is going to be a Vilma jersey.

hagan714

one mans trash is another treasure. 6 for 35 million is a great deal

ColoWhoDat

Yeah...I'm thinking that my next Saints jersey is coming down to either McKenzie or Vilma...What a great pickup he has been. Vilma (along with Sharper) brings good energy to our defense...

jn671

Vilma is beast no doubt about that!

RailBoss

Yeah sometimes just a change in teams!

iceshack149

I specifically went to the nfl.com pro bowl voting to vote for Vilma. The guy is a stud LB on a team that hasn't had a tuff LB in a long time. I love JV.