But it might be a motivating point him being back on the field. Justice kicks in, when is SP coming back???

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

If he's anything like the old Vilma, you want him at WLB. Great against the pass, but lost against the run.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

I disagree. He does just fine in a 4-3 at MLB. He didn't do as well as an ILB in a 3-4.

He doesn't fight off blocks from O-linemen as well as 3-4 ILB's are supposed to, but he does shift thru traffic and shoot the gaps just fine as a 4-3 MLB.

You are correct that he'd probably be fine as a WLB since they play more in space and can freelance more than a SLB does. he probably wouldn't be a very good SLB.

Of course, with all the shifting and specialized packages in todays game the traditional roles of SLB and WLB are a bit blurred.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

After his groin injury, Vilma had no leverage; NONE!
Runners were driving him backwards for 2-3 more yards. I hated to see it.
I'm sure Vilma's not in game shape. Please don't be too upset if he looks a step slow,
or he looks like he's chasing his tail. If he plays 15 snaps he'll need an ice bath.
He's been sitting wayyyyyyy too long to jump in the fraye and make immediate impact.
If he manages not to get himself hurt, and he inspires a few guys to play above themselves,
GREAT! I hope his inspiration and leadership turns into some good tackling and a turnover or two.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Can't wait to see Johnny V

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

I think his inspiration and leadership WILL be important. Even in civilian clothes, he led the loudest, best Who Dat chant we've seen in the Dome all year!

There are some examples where guys have been "thrown back into the fire" after coming back from injury, and used heavily, but it's mostly in situations like playoffs or late in the season. On the other hand, there are also plenty of examples of the Saints kind of working people back in gradually, when they come back from long injury breaks like this. I think that's what we will see. They will throw him in there from time to time, as a situational thing or as a wild card, relying on the fact that people have not seen him in this defense yet. TOTAL unknown.

For example, 3rd down, you're Josh Freeman and you look out and see Vilma over there, do you change the play at the line or go with what you have? Do you test him, or do you go away from him? Tough decisions for the Tampa offense, and hopefully it can gum up some of whatever they're trying to do.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Anybody remember that TD-saving deflection he made in SB XLIV? Had that been Scott Shanle... well: TD!

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

[QUOTE=Stealthman;449879]Anybody remember that TD-saving deflection he made in SB XLIV? Had that been Scott Shanle... well: TD!

stealthman: one of many great plays he made in that super bowl. (i still have the super bowl on my dvr, too :)) one of a gazillion good plays he's made as a saint.

to the those saints fans now on the vildabeasts bounty list cause yall are haters: whether he's missed a step or not, he would still come in, if healthy, and be the close, second-best linebacker on our team.

our biggest problem this year is tackling, ESPECIALLY at the linebacker position (curtis lofton withstanding). you put the vildabeast in there WITH lofton, all of a sudden we have two great tacklers who are SMART players and KNOW WHERE TO BE to make the tackles.

even if he's lost a step, its still instant defensive improvement, if johns healthy.

one of my fave saints of all time. w/o a doubt my fave saint since mcallister retired. i cant wait to see him out there again.

who dat,
BOONEdockSaint

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Vilma might be a fair Will, I wouldn't put him in the middle, to much ground to cover, he's past his prime.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

This is just awesome! :banana:


If he is healthy, he'll be a welcome addition to the LB corps whichever position or role he ends up playing.

I think that too many here are forgetting what a good player Vilma was for the Saints before his injury-ridden 2010 season - when people were praising Dunbar as a great MLB just because they were comparing a healthy player against another with multiple injuries.

Vilma has heart, he has intelligence, and he commands the full respect of his teammates - to me that is a powerful combination to add to your active roster.

:bng:

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Yes, but we cant keep holding on to a handfull of great plays in big games or SB.. much like holding on to Hartley for 1 kick, Porter for a SB int...

Players preform differently in prime time... We have to get there first. That can only be done with consistent play week in and out.... If they do that like we did in 09' THEN they can pull off the big ones in prime time.

If it were not for Sharpers consisted INTs during the regular season, we may have not made it to the SB.
We beat the Jets by 10 Sharper has 2 INT 1 pick 6
Mia beat by 12 Sharper had 1 INT (Pick 6)
Beat TB by 3 Sharper had an INT
Sharper had 3 pick 6s out of 9 INTs in 2009.

Did we have a great Defense? No they were ranked 25th we did have 26 Interceptions. we had 18 total in 10'/11' combined.

Catch is Sharper played the ball... What we have now plays the receiver... but I digress...

We need consistent play, (Sharper was dominant for a whole season)... Most people just remember Porters INT in the SB... we cant continue to just hold on to a guy because we remember 4 big plays in 3 years.

I presume a lot of this comes from being the Saints... Someone does better than the rest a few times and he is golden...

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Freeman better watch out for Vilma ... Vilma is going to be imagining Freeman as Roger Goodell who said something bad about his mama. Can we get Henry Winkler to coach for one game?

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Man, Black, you are just Captain Buzzkill about Vilma these days! How about we let the man get back to practice, let him fit in with the new D, let him get back on the field,THEN we decide whether to put him out to pasture or not. You're not even giving him a chance to prove himself after his rehab!

I get what you are saying, on principle, there's definitely times to move on, but man. When people get too extreme with the "what have you done for me lately?" posture, then you end up firing Payton after a disappointing 2007, Darren Sharper would probably never even BE here, and we end up passing on Brees in favor of God knows what else at QB. Let the Vilma story play out. The dude is one of our major players, back from a major injury, and a key person for leadership on the team -- if people here in fanland want to be excited about it, I think that's great.

I am especially looking for leadership from Vilma these next few weeks because as has been pointed out, he has A Ring, and a lot of the young dudes on our defense will look up to that and perhaps be inspired by it. And if the added competition makes our other linebackers step their games up, then right now that's cool too. We need all the help and swagger we can get.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

My soapbox was not about Vilma in particular... it was in general, and more towards players like Hartley, Bush, Porter.. Closer to 1 hit wonders.

In regards to Vilma, yes... He needs to play, he needs to replace Shanle ASAP. But ASAP doesn't mean he is ready to play just because the league is allowing it. If Vilma is not ready.. he could actually do worse than Shanle.

I sort of hope Vilma's first game running out of a tunnel is a home game... The crowd will erupt into a standing ovation and Goodell can crawl back into his own arse.

I have no intent of putting him out to pasture. I like Vilma, but not because of 4-5 plays. I like him because of his entire body of work for the Saints since 08.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

I keep reading this, but I just can't seem to comprehend it?
LOL, Is it even possible?

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Shanle may not be productive and is sometimes out of position... He has been practicing and working with in this system for a few months now.

Vilma not knowing it first hand means he will be out of position a hell of a lot more.

Look at it this way. We have some fairly sharp people on the defense... maybe not the most gifted athletically but they are fairly sharp. After 5 weeks they are still not up to speed on where they need to be 30% of the time.

Vilma walking on the field now being basically where the team was at week 1 is a liability.. He is athletically superior to Shanle... Shanle has more experience in this program.

Vilma needs at LEAST a week in pads at full throttle so he can start to read and react to not be out of position.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

I do see your point. Hard to get past the Shanle factor though.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

I questioned my self a few times before I made that statement... trust me.

IF our defense had its feet underneath it right now. Being able to keep opposing teams under 350 ttl yards a game and under 20 points per game... I would say they could compensate.. I just don't see them being able to do that right now.

You know as well as I do they will pick on Vilma first week he plays because they know his chances to be out of position are good. We just cant afford another loss.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Maybe if he plays along side Shanle, and goes opposite from Shanle, he will be in position more times than not. Potential game-plan for Vilma? LOL

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

QB's are destroying our LB's in coverage with those short throws. Vilma is our best cover LB so it can only help.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Yeah, this is exactly what I was thinking as well.

If his knees are now fully repaired and fully rehabilitated he won't have any problems being the best coverage man out of the whole LB corps.

Also, he is a really smart guy, so I don't think the scheme will be as big of an obstacle for him as has been portrayed here. On the other hand, not having had full contact for such a long time will undoubtedly challenge him at game time.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Thats a legit concern. There is a huge difference between being in shape, and being in football shape. That difference usually translates to pulled muscles.

I smell a pulled groin. Uhh wait a sec, that doesn't sound right does it?:p

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

I guess that depends on who is doing the "pulling." :-D

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

And who's doing the smelling. :hallucinate:

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

ummm no. There is no way shed a good light on Danno smelling a groin. He is obviously doing it wrong.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Vilma is gonna play not having any experience with Spags new defense.. not too sure how I feel bout that.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

He can't do any worse than the guys who HAVE experience with the new defense.

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Re: Vilma to make his debut against Bucs
 

Pulled or no, count me out on the groin-sniffing ... :)

I'm glad to see Vilma back, but keeping my expectations realistic. It's been a long time since he's played in a game. Still, a little veteran leadership on the defensive side of the ball can only be an improvement.