Saints LB Jonathan Casillas healthy, ready to contribute on defense

Attached Thumbnails · 08-14-2012, 07:22 PM

METAIRIE, La. – Jonathan Casillas spotted the ball nearly too late Tuesday, the pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees sailing high above tight end Dave Thomas.

But for Casillas, it was nearly too late, not absolutely too late.
The Saints linebacker leaped high into the air, clutching the ball with one hand before coming down hard on his back. He held onto the ball, finishing one of training camp’s most athletic plays.

What that play represented was acting head coach Joe Vitt’s description of Casillas as a linebacker.

“Speed. Quickness. Range. Great space tackler,” Vitt said. “He has good hands. And I think he is really mature where he can pattern read now. He has had a positive growth experience.”

Casillas, when healthy, adds an athletic dimension to a Saints defense in transition. Yet, for the fourth-year professional who came to New Orleans as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2009, injuries have been his downfall.

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Danno · 08-14-2012, 07:25 PM

Reminds me a bit of Cie Grant. If he can stay healthy I think he can be a solid player in this league.

Its gonna be tough since he's a bit of a LB/SS tweener.

foreverfan · 08-14-2012, 07:32 PM

Injury in 3...2...1....

Luda34 · 08-14-2012, 07:54 PM

Man I hope he stay healthy this year he's the most athletic LB we have and I really want to see what he can do for a complete season.

blackangold · 08-14-2012, 08:18 PM

Problem for Casillas is he can't play SLB, he is to small. WLB is taken firmly by Hawthorne. SLB is where we need someone to step up.

RockyMountainSaint · 08-14-2012, 09:15 PM

At camp this morning Saw that play.
Turned to my son and said:"If he could only stay healthy."

It was a special, athletic play.

The Dude · 08-14-2012, 11:01 PM

God it looks like its true about Spags being a genius getting the most out of young talent because ours are looking good by all reports. I am VERY happy with how these young uns are contributing so far. Cant wait to see them on the field.

FinSaint · 08-15-2012, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by blackangold

Problem for Casillas is he can't play SLB, he is to small. WLB is taken firmly by Hawthorne. SLB is where we need someone to step up.

True, but I think he did a fine job against the Pats' 1st string offense at SLB along with Lofton at MLB and Herring at WLB.

There was a lot of movement and speed in that trio - especially by the OLBs -and it was a joy to watch in that regard after the somewhat immobile LB corps the Saints have had the past two seasons.

I just hope he can stay healthy long enough to actually be a contributor in this year's defense.

Stealthman · 08-15-2012, 09:20 AM

We'll see him vs. the Jags.

A strong performance for Casillas there would be a gamechanger in the LB sweepstakes!

Mardigras9 · 08-15-2012, 10:06 AM

I like Casillas and agree with FinSaint. Think he did a good job against the Pats.

08-14-2012, 07:22 PM	#1
Threaded by papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,744 Rating: (0 votes - average) METAIRIE, La. – Jonathan Casillas spotted the ball nearly too late Tuesday, the pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees sailing high above tight end Dave Thomas. But for Casillas, it was nearly too late, not absolutely too late. The Saints linebacker leaped high into the air, clutching the ball with one hand before coming down hard on his back. He held onto the ball, finishing one of training camp’s most athletic plays. What that play represented was acting head coach Joe Vitt’s description of Casillas as a linebacker. “Speed. Quickness. Range. Great space tackler,” Vitt said. “He has good hands. And I think he is really mature where he can pattern read now. He has had a positive growth experience.” Casillas, when healthy, adds an athletic dimension to a Saints defense in transition. Yet, for the fourth-year professional who came to New Orleans as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2009, injuries have been his downfall. Continue reading Attached Thumbnails
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08-14-2012, 07:25 PM	#2
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	Re: Saints LB Jonathan Casillas healthy, ready to contribute on defense Reminds me a bit of Cie Grant. If he can stay healthy I think he can be a solid player in this league. Its gonna be tough since he's a bit of a LB/SS tweener.

08-14-2012, 07:32 PM	#3
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Saints LB Jonathan Casillas healthy, ready to contribute on defense Injury in 3...2...1.... spkb25 likes this.

08-14-2012, 07:54 PM	#4
Luda34 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston Tx Posts: 1,219	Re: Saints LB Jonathan Casillas healthy, ready to contribute on defense Man I hope he stay healthy this year he's the most athletic LB we have and I really want to see what he can do for a complete season. spkb25 likes this.

08-14-2012, 08:18 PM	#5
blackangold 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3,422	Re: Saints LB Jonathan Casillas healthy, ready to contribute on defense Problem for Casillas is he can't play SLB, he is to small. WLB is taken firmly by Hawthorne. SLB is where we need someone to step up.

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08-14-2012, 09:15 PM	#6
RockyMountainSaint Mmm That Smell! Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Metairie Terrace Posts: 3,073	Re: Saints LB Jonathan Casillas healthy, ready to contribute on defense At camp this morning Saw that play. Turned to my son and said:"If he could only stay healthy." It was a special, athletic play. spkb25 and Beastmode like this.

08-14-2012, 11:01 PM	#7
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,048	Re: Saints LB Jonathan Casillas healthy, ready to contribute on defense God it looks like its true about Spags being a genius getting the most out of young talent because ours are looking good by all reports. I am VERY happy with how these young uns are contributing so far. Cant wait to see them on the field.
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,048

08-15-2012, 04:47 AM	#8
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,961	Re: Saints LB Jonathan Casillas healthy, ready to contribute on defense Originally Posted by blackangold Problem for Casillas is he can't play SLB, he is to small. WLB is taken firmly by Hawthorne. SLB is where we need someone to step up. True, but I think he did a fine job against the Pats' 1st string offense at SLB along with Lofton at MLB and Herring at WLB. There was a lot of movement and speed in that trio - especially by the OLBs -and it was a joy to watch in that regard after the somewhat immobile LB corps the Saints have had the past two seasons. I just hope he can stay healthy long enough to actually be a contributor in this year's defense.

08-15-2012, 09:20 AM	#9
Stealthman B&G StaffWriter Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 382	Re: Saints LB Jonathan Casillas healthy, ready to contribute on defense We'll see him vs. the Jags. A strong performance for Casillas there would be a gamechanger in the LB sweepstakes! spkb25 likes this.

08-15-2012, 10:06 AM	#10
Mardigras9 Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Land Mass between LA and AL Posts: 4,375	Re: Saints LB Jonathan Casillas healthy, ready to contribute on defense I like Casillas and agree with FinSaint. Think he did a good job against the Pats.

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