Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

So many factors come into play with the New Orleans Saints' acquisition of linebacker James Laurinaitis.

The Saints hope Laurinaitis can become the type of field captain Jonathan Vilma was during the team's most successful seasons, including the Super 44-winning squad.

Laurinaitis hopes New Orleans can be his saving grace after being cut from the Los Angeles Rams. Vilma, after all, found new life with the Saints after the Jets traded him to New Orleans. He became arguably the best middle linebacker to wear a Saints uniform (Vilma vs. Sam Mills is a debate for another time).

Then there's the sensitive issue of Laurinaitis replacing a guy who's still on the team. He's stepped into the middle linebacker position previously occupied by Stephone Anthony, who served in that role as a rookie last season. Laurinaitis said he was aware of the delicate situation when he came on board earlier this offseason. Anthony has done his part by handling the move in a professional manner, saying he was open to whatever the team asked of him and accepting the moved to strong side where he'll flank his new teammate.

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Laurinaitis, who has never missed a game in his previous seven seasons, is known for his leadership and grit. He will hold a significant level of responsibility of guiding a previously downtrodden defense to become a more respectable unit in 2016.

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Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

The man played with 1 arm last year and still looked better than most of our LB's did.

I think he most certainly can have the Vilma Effect for our team.

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

Hoping is more that just a MIKE, but a MANIMAL!

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

He's a leader and role model for the young talent we have. We now have a true QB for the defense.

I think this may be a better acquisition than anyone realizes.

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

I admit I was skeptical and didn't really want to sign him, but hearing about the chess match going on between him and Brees in OTA's so far is thrilling to hear! It sounds like Brees is impressed by what he's seen so far.

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

Sounds like REAL locker room leadership! Not like that #39 chump we finally dumped.

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Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

lets see vilma drafted 12th in 2004
came to the saints in 2008

Laurinaitis was drafted in 2009
came to the saints in 2016.

bit of a stretch but here is hoping for the best from a change in scenery.

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

I think Sean P said enough is enough with all of the garbage LB play over the last 4, 5 years. We need play makers on Sundays.

Let's wait and see what JL brings to the table.

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

Good looking Stats with the Rams. I agree he could take on the Field General role that we had with Vilma.
Plus he says see ya! to Gregg Williams

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

I pray we do.!!!

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

When I first read about this signing I was excited. Of course I've been excited about every signing we ever made. I'm an optimist.....what can I say?

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

The reason they've had garbarge LB play is because they've had nothing but below average LBs. The 1st time the Saints finally decided to draft a real LB was in 2015. When Vilma, Fujita and Shanle left there went the decent LB play. People complain about Vitt not developing LB talent but look at what he's had to work with. Last LB they drafted before 2015 was Martez Wilson. See how that worked out. There was better LB talent in that draft than Wilson. After that they finally stopped getting their LBs out of the bargain bin. Maybe now we'll have some decent LB play. I meant in the Sean Payton era.

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

Not sure if you've read that article from Mike Detillier/AFC GM (Knives are out) yet but as he stated ... All those years of not hitting on draft days are catching up with them. Everyone in this league deals with dead money issues and some more than others, but this team really has not drafted well and even the 2015 crop is an up-in-the-air unit.”

I tend to agree with his assessment.

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

When it comes to JL = Vilma, its way to early to tell


I agree with that GM on that statement, the years of drafting horrible has caught up to this team. You can't field a competitive team when most to all of the players you draft in a given year are already out of the league. Last year they turned a corner and lets hope this year gives the same results

Re: Saints hope to strike gold with James Laurinaitis as they did with Jonathan Vilma
 

I did read it and I agree. Poor drafting is catching up to them. That's what I meant when I said they could have gotten better in the draft than Martez Wilson.