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

Radical

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

Danno

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.

darstep

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.

**SaintSince67**

QBREES9

Can't wait to see Johnny V

SaintsBro

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.

Stealthman

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

boonedocksaint

[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

halloween 65

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

FinSaint

This is just awesome!


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.

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