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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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Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

Danno

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

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

Luda34

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

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.

FinSaint

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.

blackangold

That wasn't the position he played. The starting line-up was:
Slb-Shanle
Mlb-Lofton
Wlb- Herring

Casillas comes out in the nickle package on the 3rd play when he slots in next to Lofton at Wlb. When they go back into the base 4-3 Herring comes out taking his place at Wlb. The first series is a mixture of this, but the only time Casillas sees the field is in nickle at Wlb.

Second series is the same as above.

Third series the 2nd string D comes in line-up is:
Slb-Herring
Mlb-Chamberlain
Wlb-Shanle

Nickle package is Shanle and Chamerlain.

1st QTR ends.

Forth series looks the same...

Fifth series is when Casillas gets to play with the base D.
Slb- Herring
Mlb-Chamberlain
Wlb-Casillas

He is a great Wlb in my opinion but Hawthorne will be at that position. Chamberlain looked great as did Herring so I could see one of them take the Slb slot from Shanle.

RockyMountainSaint

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

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.

Stealthman

We'll see him vs. the Jags.

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