Re: New Orleans Saints players applaud the hiring of Rob Ryan
 

Vilma claims that his problems in NY were about his knee and not the 3-4.

Re: New Orleans Saints players applaud the hiring of Rob Ryan
 

I'd still like to see us retain Vilma for a few reasons (although cut and then re-signed for minimum or damn near). He is a vocal leader of our defense and players respect him. He is a good tackler and instinctive football player. He needs protection that the 3-4 doesn't offer but I think we can use him in an ILB role where he subs in and out with a younger player. He isn't terrible in coverage and he could be that QB/RB spy player or on overload blitz packages.

He was in his prime in NY and asked to be the work horse of that defense and he just isn't good enough at getting off a block as he needs to be for a 3-4 to fit him. Lofton would be that guy here and hopefully free up Vilma to more advantageous situations.

Re: New Orleans Saints players applaud the hiring of Rob Ryan
 

Vilma has lost a step, he doesn't possess the speed he once had...

He wasn't big enough to handle the 3-4 with the Jets in his prime, what makes you think he can now?

Lofton will have his own responsibilities, Hawthorne would be a better fit next to Lofton in his natural ILB position...

Re: New Orleans Saints players applaud the hiring of Rob Ryan
 

I'm still not sold on Ryan but if the players like him thats whats most important. But if I don't misremember they were really happy to get Spags too...

Re: New Orleans Saints players applaud the hiring of Rob Ryan
 

What, no comment from Shanle?!

Re: New Orleans Saints players applaud the hiring of Rob Ryan
 

Funny you bring him up, he has the size to play inside, not sure about the speed though. I would like to draft at least 1 inside lb. in the draft or pick up one in FA. I like Lofton but I'm unsure how he does in Ryans scheme?

Re: New Orleans Saints players applaud the hiring of Rob Ryan
 

That's what we all said last year

Re: New Orleans Saints players applaud the hiring of Rob Ryan
 

Nope, I'm pretty sure we all said that we couldn't wait for the season to start and see what we don't do on defense....

Re: New Orleans Saints players applaud the hiring of Rob Ryan
 

at best robbie boy will ever get you to is the middle of the pack.

Re: New Orleans Saints players applaud the hiring of Rob Ryan
 

I'd take that in a heartbeat.