New Orleans Saints linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar has excelled in Jonathan Vilma's absence

12-02-2011, 12:02 PM

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma remains questionable for Sunday night's game against the Detroit Lions after practicing on a limited basis Thursday. Coach Sean Payton said he "turned the corner" in his recovery from a lingering knee injury this week but said a decision hasn't been made yet.

Vilma had a clean-up surgery performed on the knee three weeks ago, with the idea that he'll be able to be back to 100 percent for the Saints' stretch run. The team hasn't missed a beat in the meantime, though. The Saints are a perfect 4-0 without Vilma in the lineup this year - a testament to the performance of replacement Jo-Lonn Dunbar.

Dunbar earned his second game ball of the year in Monday night's 49-24 victory over the New York Giants, finishing with 10 tackles and a forced fumble. He ranks third on the team this year with 69 tackles.

When asked if he's playing the best football of his four-year career, Dunbar smiled and said, "I don't know. That's something other people have to decide. But I think I'm just getting in ever game and trying to work hard and make some plays and do whatever I can for this team."

Full article.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar has excelled in Jonathan Vilma's absence - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

I like Dunbar better in the middle than outside. He's been quite a find in the middle so far this season.

GeauxForMore · 12-02-2011, 12:23 PM

I love Vilma, but we need to keep Dunbar in the middle and move Vilma to outside.

st thomas · 12-02-2011, 01:03 PM

his play has been exceptional should we change back or move JV ? Or is it vilma's injury that kept him from being his old self.

papz · 12-02-2011, 01:15 PM

Vilma's injury has kept him from being his old self earlier in the year. With that said, as much as I was opposed to it and to get the most out of Dunbar, I'm now more than open to moving Vilma outside and sliding him back inside on 3rd downs. A healthy Vilma, Dunbar, and Casillas may be our best LB unit on the field. I find Dunbar to be a slow and weak in coverage for the outside... something Vilma is better suited for.

I'll eat crow for completely dismissing the notion prior to the season. But then again, it's not like it wasn't illogical at the time given we couldn't have predicted Dunbar playing this well at MLB.

NOS2SB · 12-02-2011, 01:28 PM

I'd like to commend Dunbar on a job well done thus far.

halloween 65 · 12-02-2011, 02:49 PM

I like Dunbar he should be our starting MLB, he has played lights out and full of agression, I like the line up we had vs. the giants, Shanle, Dunbar and Herring { don't count Herring out just yet}. Dunbar still has a lot of upside and is young and very fast. So this so-called geek has liked what he has seen out of Dunbar and can't wait to see more.

QBREES9 · 12-02-2011, 10:38 PM

Jo Lon has stepped up big time.

12-02-2011, 12:02 PM	#1
Threaded by papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744 Rating: (0 votes - average) New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma remains questionable for Sunday night's game against the Detroit Lions after practicing on a limited basis Thursday. Coach Sean Payton said he "turned the corner" in his recovery from a lingering knee injury this week but said a decision hasn't been made yet. Vilma had a clean-up surgery performed on the knee three weeks ago, with the idea that he'll be able to be back to 100 percent for the Saints' stretch run. The team hasn't missed a beat in the meantime, though. The Saints are a perfect 4-0 without Vilma in the lineup this year - a testament to the performance of replacement Jo-Lonn Dunbar. Dunbar earned his second game ball of the year in Monday night's 49-24 victory over the New York Giants, finishing with 10 tackles and a forced fumble. He ranks third on the team this year with 69 tackles. When asked if he's playing the best football of his four-year career, Dunbar smiled and said, "I don't know. That's something other people have to decide. But I think I'm just getting in ever game and trying to work hard and make some plays and do whatever I can for this team." Full article. New Orleans Saints linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar has excelled in Jonathan Vilma's absence - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com I like Dunbar better in the middle than outside. He's been quite a find in the middle so far this season. Kryptonite and halloween 65 like this. Last edited by papz; 12-24-2011 at 07:45 PM..
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12-02-2011, 01:15 PM	#4
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744	Vilma's injury has kept him from being his old self earlier in the year. With that said, as much as I was opposed to it and to get the most out of Dunbar, I'm now more than open to moving Vilma outside and sliding him back inside on 3rd downs. A healthy Vilma, Dunbar, and Casillas may be our best LB unit on the field. I find Dunbar to be a slow and weak in coverage for the outside... something Vilma is better suited for. I'll eat crow for completely dismissing the notion prior to the season. But then again, it's not like it wasn't illogical at the time given we couldn't have predicted Dunbar playing this well at MLB.
	Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege. All little common sense goes a long way.

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12-02-2011, 12:23 PM	#2
GeauxForMore 500th Post Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Panama City, FL Posts: 588	I love Vilma, but we need to keep Dunbar in the middle and move Vilma to outside.

12-02-2011, 01:03 PM	#3
st thomas Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lafayette Posts: 7,753	his play has been exceptional should we change back or move JV ? Or is it vilma's injury that kept him from being his old self.

12-02-2011, 01:28 PM	#5
NOS2SB Shampoo Join Date: May 2011 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 454	I'd like to commend Dunbar on a job well done thus far.

12-02-2011, 02:49 PM	#6
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	I like Dunbar he should be our starting MLB, he has played lights out and full of agression, I like the line up we had vs. the giants, Shanle, Dunbar and Herring { don't count Herring out just yet}. Dunbar still has a lot of upside and is young and very fast. So this so-called geek has liked what he has seen out of Dunbar and can't wait to see more.

12-02-2011, 10:38 PM	#7
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	Jo Lon has stepped up big time.