FinSaint

Lofton at the MLB position, but as soon as Vilma is healthy enough to play, maybe week 7 - he should come in and relieve Shanle of his duty.

|Mitch|

Lofton is a better MLB and has looked decent in coverage for us so far.

SaintsBro

If we have money for both, under the cap, which doesn't seem to be a problem, then why not both.

He doesn't have to play every down, but what matters most to me, is that I definitely want to see Vilma go out in style, in a Saints uniform -- not leave the team on bad terms or feel like he's been put out to pasture like an old horse. The man has a lot of love for him in this city and a future here after football. Doesn't mean we have to automatically keep starting him at LB until he's 45 years old, but he's done enough here that he deserves to go out like a hero and not get thrown under the bus.

buckblaster1

yeah play em both start lofton and give him a breather by putting vilma in some on certain packages. at least we wouldnt have to worry about giving a gu a break and having to down grade to do it

TheOak

I am all for Lofton/Vilma/Hawthorne Shanle has not been on a decline the last three years he has flat out not produced.

Vilma has been on the decline statistically the last three years but GW defense seems to have really screwed up a lot of players. If Vilma can come back healthy, let him play out as much of the year as possible with Shanle losing to the wayside.

Danno

Assuming Vilma's knees are OK...

In our 4-3
Lofton at MLB
Vilma at WLB
Hawthorne at SLB

In nickle packages, Vilma and Hawthorne

In dime packages, Vilma

xan

Considering Vilma is at best 2 weeks from returning to practice and maybe 5 weeks from being in shape....duh. No brainer.

blackangold

Vilma is a perfect fit for the WLB. Lofton will stay at MLB.

I think Vilma returns by week 4 and plays making our LB corp look like:
SLB Hawthorne
MLB Lofton
WLB Vilma

Utah_Saint

If that's the choice, I'd got with Lofton, just because Vilma looked slow last season but I don't think that'll be the only options. If Vilma heals up, I think we'll see both Lofton and Vilma in the middle and both of them on the weak side at different times. Just to keep d coordinators guessing.

AlaskaSaints

Just don't forget the fact that Vilma cannot shake a blocker even when healthy. At WLB, at least the blocks will only be coming from one side?

Alaska