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Just wrapped up a series of interviews with the various New Orleans Saints players participating in guard Ben Grubbs' charity softball game at Zephyr Field. The energy among the group is extremely impressive, with so many guys fired up to start fresh in 2013.

We'll roll out plenty of videos and stories tonight and over the next couple days. Among the interviews that stood out most were those with Saints linebackers Jonathan Vilma, Victor Butler and Martez Wilson for a variety of reasons.

Vilma is excited to be fully healthy for the first time in two years (and past the bounty distractions). He seems pleased with his first impressions of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's new 3-4 defense. And I also talked to Vilma about taking a significant pay cut to stay with the team, and he had a great response, saying that being a part of the team is more important to him than the money.
Wilson thinks the 3-4 will be a great fit for him after he bounced around from linebacker to end trying to find the right fit in the 4-3 the last two years.

And Butler stole the show with a motivational speech that had everyone within earshot ready to sign up with the Saints.
"Yeah, they had the worst defense (statistically) last year. But you look at the roster, and these aren't the worst players," said Butler, who signed as a free agent from the Dallas Cowboys. "They've got Pro Bowl players here. And you add people like (cornerback) Keenan Lewis, Rob Ryan, myself adding new energy. You're gonna see a hell of a defense. ... I wouldn't be surprised if we're No. 1 in all categories next year."

OK, maybe Butler overreached a bit. But it was a good example of the attitude permeating this team right now.


New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

homerj07

I had thought Vilma left the Jets because they moved to a 3-4. Does that bide poorly for us?

jnormand

Sometimes being good is so much more than personnel. Sometimes attitude, confidence and just knowing and believing in the system and the team can make for amazing results.

Beastmode

Certainly was not this level of motivation / attitude at this point last year for obvious reasons. I'm usually wrong about these matters but for some reason I think they get it together. Maybe nothing to brag about but nowhere near the bottom of the pack.

TheOak

First sentence is correct. Only time will tell on the second

Stealthman

If we have a middle-of-the-pack OR BETTER defense, the Saints will go marching into SB XLVIII.

dizzle88

Im starting to like victor butler more and more, cant wait to see him play

Vilma didnt work in 3-4 in NY because he was played at MLB, vilma is undersized to be a MLB in the 3-4 and he struggles getting off blocks
Thats why hes being put on the outside, clean angle of pursuit and he's a speed LB not a thumper

SaintnDE

While this is yet to be seen, this sort of attitude is what I like to see. Confidence inspires confidence. Let the trickle affect go on!

Budsdrinker

I also like this comment from Vilma.

Vilma says it was worth the pay cut to stay with Saints | ProFootballTalk

Danno

True, but its not like he sucked at it. He did OK in that system. But Jonathan Vilma was an A-plus 4-3 MLB who dropped to a C-plus ILB in their version of the 3-4.

Vilma will be playing the WILB in Rob Ryan's system. From everything I've read its very similar to a WLB in a 4-3.

I'm more concerned about Lofton at SILB. He's never played it and we're not sure how good he is at fighting off OG's for a whole game for 16 weeks. I think Galette or Wilson may even be better suited for it than Lofton. Hawthorne may be a better fit as well.