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With all the rage about the New Orleans Saints' outside linebackers and the ballyhooed "Jack" position, the two guys manning the inside linebacker positions have almost been an afterthought.

Curtis Lofton and Jonathan Vilma have quietly made a smooth transition to new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme.

Saints coach Sean Payton said although both players have primarily been 4-3 middle linebackers, they both have been quick studies in the new defense.

Vilma, who had been the Saints' starting middle linebacker for his first four seasons in New Orleans before a knee injury and Lofton's acquisition last season forced him to move to weakside outside linebacker, is playing the weakside inside position. Vilma also has been calling the plays and making most of the defensive checks.

Meanwhile, Lofton is serving as the Mike linebacker.

"Well they are both veterans and smart players, and I think their experience being at another defense, from a learning curve standpoint, they pick things up pretty quickly," Payton said. "Obviously one of them is playing the Mike over a guard bubble and the other is playing weakside, talking about Jon Vilma now, there are some nuances to the inside linebacker positions, but both of them have handled it well (as well as) the transition of this defense and I think their experience has really helped."

Lofton, who led the Saints in tackles last season, agreed. Lofton said it should help the Saints' defense that the unit now has two former middle linebackers on the inside helping each other out.

"We work really well together," Lofton said. "With him coming in last year and moving to Will and me staying at Mike, and having two great leaders on the field that only helps the defense."


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