Ever hear of Dean Derby? Dean was the Steelers’ defensive captain and defensive signal caller from 1957 to 1961.

How about Ron McDole? Defensive team captain in 64-65 for the Bills.

Did you mean 50 or 60 years ago?

There were team captains before the NFL Officially recognized them in 2007... Sort of like there were bounties before 2009.

If you do not care why are you replying? We are trying to have a conversation here.

The point - since you were obviously too busy devising your usual obtuse and overaggressive jerk squad reaction to COMPREHEND WHAT YOU WERE READING - is that there are plenty of players capable of taking on a leadership role, whether Vilma is playing or not, and whether that player has a patch on his jersey or not.

I hope I have explained myself clearly enough this time so as not to have offended your oh-so delicate sensibilities and not have to put up with yet more ridiculous argumentative crap.

You're right. Vilma is providing "zero" leadership at a time when we need it. Because clearly NO ONE has EVER given anybody leadership or inspiration or motivation at a football game, from the sidelines or in the locker room or on the bench, or in the film room during the week. It just NEVER happens.

And thank you, Oak, for educating me: I had no idea that the team was fined or penalized with draft picks, I didn't know Vilma was fighting for Vilma, and thank you for explaining the complexity of the bounty situation to me yet again. Your insights into the game are truly revelatory. I know I'm not the only Black and Gold poster here who appreciates your immense efforts and tireless hard work here in the forums, day in and day out, teaching and educating all of us Saints fans to be more educated, and making sure that no one is allowed to go astray.

Your insights into the game are truly revelatory.

Considering that Jonathan Vilma went to the wall for the team and refused the blindfold and the cigarette, and did not give up the fight for one second, even when everything was seemingly stacked impossibly against him, I think he's an extremely viable leadership option for the defense....especially with a so-called "youth movement" of young, inexperienced players underway. He's seen it all, he's also battled his way through injuries and comebacks and never quit fighting, which is a great lesson to younger inexperienced players in their first few seasons.

Another thing: I would absolutely be stoked to have Vilma to be a captain (or preferably, co-captain) of the defense, because: if the Saints defense turns around and votes Vilma team captain, it will SURELY piss off Roger Goodell. It will fly in the face of everything he tried to do to us last year. It's like poking a finger right in his eye. And that's something to cheer about.

It also sends a signal, that the Saints are re-open for business. Will Smith is still there (technically at least), Jonathan Vilma is still there, Sean Payton is still there, Mickey Loomis is still there....Nobody got fired. All that stuff that Goodell tried to do to us, his personal vendettas, trying to get our people fired, or trying to force the team to make staff changes, by punishing the fans....NONE of it really worked.... with Vilma back on the sidelines with a big "C" on his jersey, it's like the team is willfully sticking it to Goodell, from when he tried to teach the Saints a lesson or put us in our place, tried to say this man was a bad man. Because there was never any real evidence and we didn't really do anything wrong in the first place. So stick that in your pipe Roger, and smoke it.