New Orleans Saints hoping linebacker Jonathan Vilma will return soon
 

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton did not directly confirm the Times Pycayune repot that linebacker Jonathan Vilma had surgery to clean up his lingering left knee injury last week. But Payton did say that Vilma has been rehabbing the knee and that the best-case scenario is that he can return to the field in time for the Saints' next game against the New York Giants on Monday, Nov. 28.
http://media.nola.com/saints_impact/...3710-large.jpgMichael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has missed the past two games with a knee injury.
Vilma did not play in the Saints' last two games after trying to fight through the unspecified injury for much of the season. He originally injured the knee in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears.
"I'm hopeful," Payton said. "He's in rehab now, still getting treatment. The goal is to see where he's at (next week). An optimistic goal would be this game against New York. We'll go from there. I know just from seeing him all last week, he's doing well. And so I'm hopeful he can play in that game, and yet it's way too early to tell.
New Orleans Saints hoping linebacker Jonathan Vilma will return soon - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

Vilma is 29 right now, which means he will be 30 next season. I understand he has been injured most of this season, but seriously, dudes production is slipping. Has Jo-Lonn Dunbar been a disappointment, my take is no. What I am getting at is perhaps it is time to move on and let these younger guys take over. The LB group for the Saints has been a bit of a disappointment for several years now, seriously time to move on.

The Chicago Game was the 2nd game of the season. I'd be willing to wait and see what a fully recovered Vilma can do.

Dunbar might be hard to beat out. Vilma probably knows if he doesn't get back as soon as he can he is going to be on the outside looking in. Vilma has not looked good in a while now, if it was because of the knee that would be understandable but if it wasn't, Dunbar should be left in the middle. Even if Dunbar is left in the middle, Vilma is a capable backup, maybe a win, win for both.

If Johnny V is healthy he is awesome. BTW 30 is the new 20 in the NFL. :-)

Johnny come back healthy.

I know right! :) I kind of feel bad now because i've been dogging him hard for awhile now. Even at the Rams game I yelled out onto the field, "Vilma, DO SOMETHING!", and the very next play he limped off the field. My wife and the other Who Dats around us looked at me with the evil-eye.

But he has not been producing on a regular basis since 02/07/10. Hopefully, with Dunbar's play since his absence will light a fire under his @rse!

This game is tough enough when you are healthy. It's a definite disadvantage if you are gimping around and unable to do what your mind tells your body to do. Dunbar has stepped up great in Vilma's absence - good numbers EVERY week he has been in the game. Vilam is, somewhat, undersized so he needs his speed, quickness and full leverage to be effective. I think we all would like to see Vilma return to top form. But if it just isn't happening, or doesn't look promising, I hope the staff is not too sentimental to pull the trigger.

Are you Kidding me this guy is one of our captains... He gets hurt, and already cries and whines to get rid of him... COME ON MAN.... An Injured Vilma is better than most of the healthy LB's on this team... I knew he was hurt in the Chicago game and it showed in the ones that followed... Let him get over this in time for the push to the playoffs...

GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!

We are not talking about cutting him tomorrow or next week.
We are talking about chronic ailments or the inability to get back to 100%.
We are talking about habitual on and off the injured list every 2-3 weeks.
I love Vilma too, but not at 1 or 2 tackles a game like our front 4 is getting.
We need better than that from the guy in the middle of the field.

I just checked some stats on NFL for this season and last, good news is Dunbar is on the rise, bad news is Vilma isn't. Can't wait to here the crap over this.

One word......Shanle. Get healthy and come back Vilma, we need you.

I'm just happy we are deep at this position

The man runs the "D" -w/o him our "D" has looked lost when the other team audibles.

(re-watch that Atlanta game when Batty Lice audibles we look like a bad 3 Stooges video)

the simple question is, would you rather have Dunbar or Vilma?
keep the stats, I'll take Vilma

Dunbar has been a beast in Vilmas absence. I would be hard pressed to start him if Dunbar keeps playing the way he has. I hope Vilma can return, but if not atleast Dunbar is doing well. Get well sooon Vilma.

you geeks who think jo-lon is an upgrade over a healthy vildabeast, are out of your friggin mind!

jo-lon's played good, but, theres ABSOLUTELY NO WAY he's better than johnathon.

if you wanna talk about someone who hasnt produced, start pointing your finger at casillas and herring. piss poor!

i wonder if dunbar can play outside lb....

Herring? is he on IR, cut, or what? I think he's played maybe 2 games...

Just A Thought.....Keep Them Both On The Field!!!!

I just re-read this thread and I didn't notice anyone who thinks Dunbar is better than a healthy Vilma.

Whats up with that?

After seeing the giants game I think Dunbar should start in the middle. I like his production and fire he plays with, since he has started we have played better and I don't see him as a down grade. If anything I see Dunbar as a young upgrade to our D and until Vilma proves different Dunbar is the man.