SmashMouth

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.



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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