Rugby Saint II

Vilma hasn't played a snap in like.........forever.
I don't expect him to just step in and dominate against other NFL players.
He could have an impact if he can get around.

Wilde18

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

TheOak

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...