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Linebacker Curtis Lofton joined the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, but general manager Mickey Loomis quelled any concerns that his team would sever ties with Jonathan Vilma, who plays the same position.

Vilma's name appeared in the NFL's release announcing the punishments for Saints personnel, including Loomis, for their role in a bounty scandal. According to a Sports Illustrated report, Vilma allegedly offered $10,000 to any Saints player who could knock then-Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre out of a playoff game.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he will announce player suspensions at a later date, and Vilma could be in line to be punished. Vikings punter Chris Kluwe called for the league to hand Vilma a lifetime ban.

But Vilma's standing with the Saints has not changed, Loomis said.

"(Vilma) is still a big part of our team. A top player and leader for us," Loomis said, according to The Times-Picayune.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported Wednesday that the Saints had been looking for players to fill in for Vilma should he be forced to miss games.

In a release, Loomis also cited Lofton's "ability to play all three linebacker positions" as one of the primary reasons the Saints brought in the four-year veteran.


NFL.com news: Saints GM Loomis says team won't ditch LB Vilma for Lofton

Rugby Saint II

I will really be surprised if he comes back. I want him back....just sayin'.

|Mitch|

I think it relies on the length of the suspension

Danno

Healthy - Yes I want him back

Still Gimpy - Its time to move on.

If he does get suspended about 8 games, he'll probably be 100% healthy, fresh, and quite pissed off at the world when we activate him for the 2nd half of the season.

FinSaint

My thoughts exactly, a healthy Vilma would be a welcome addition to the LB corps, and it would make you all forget about Dunbar.

burningmetal

I don't see it happening. With all the moves we've been making despite so little cap room, and a deal still pending with Brees, I think Vilma is an obvious casualty given his health concerns and upcoming suspension.

Also, I know everyone seems to be predicting 8 games for Vilma, but I expect he will be gone the whole season. It's not what I want for him, but as the perceived ring leader among the players involved, I think Roger is about to have another fit. I'm about 85% sure of it.

hagan714

restructured deal and rotational player with loftan to finish his career? i can see it.

burningmetal

In order to get Drew locked up, you would have to restructure so many contracts, I just don't think it's likely they go that route. The big contracts on the team (Jahri Evans, Will Smith) have already been restructured and Colston's deal is fairly big, but he just signed it so nothing is gonna change there. That leaves Vilma with the only other significant contract. He's gonna have to be released to free up the necessary cap space. Lofton's deal hasn't been submitted to the league yet, but you know he couldn't have come too cheap, so we're going to have almost nothing left after it becomes official.

Just my opinion.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

FinSaint

Well, Ellis is another piece of the puzzle.

His cap hit for 2012 seems to be $7.575M, but according to my calculations there's only about $800K left in the guaranteed $19.5M of his contract, so the Saints could free up a lot of cap space if they were to cut him.

On the other hand, if the Saints' FO and Brees are able to come to an understanding in regards to the structure of the long term contract, where his initial cap hit would be fairly low while still including a lot of guaranteed money - Ellis' contract comes of the books next off-season, which would allow for a bigger cap hit for Brees in 2013.


Jabari Greer is another player who's salary will come of the books after this coming season, so that'll be another $6.15M of cap space for Brees' contract.

The Saints could also try to get him to sign an extension with a restructure, which could keep him with the Saints for couple of additional seasons while bringing down his cap hit for this coming season.


The bottom line is that there are ways of making Brees' contract work even if he is given the highest overall value contract in the NFL and a big amount of guaranteed money to go along with it - it's all about the structuring of his contract and of all the other players' contracts in relation to his annual cap hits.

"I'm not bashing people, I'm bashing their opinions because in my opinion their opinion is wrong" - Danno

Danno

I just noticed that Loomis did not say they won't ditch Vilma for Lofton, what he said was...

If I was going to cut Vilma, this is exactly how I'd respond to questions about it right now.