2008 Mid-Season Election Day: Jonathan Vilma

by Dave Cariello on Nov 4, 2008 2:00 PM CST

One of the biggest offseason moves by the Saints this summer was the acquisition of Jonathan Vilma. Recovering from a knee injury and stuck in an uncomfortable defense the Saints took a chance on him and hoped for the best.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Jonathan Vilma	8	0	0	1	8	0	53	19	72

It would be hard to argue with the numbers but just how much of an impact do you think he has had on this defense? Was he worth it?

Poll

How do you feel about the Vilma acquisition?

Worth every penny.

79 votes

Great pickup but still not enough for a great defense.

15 votes

I'm not impressed.

0 votes

Let's see how the rest of the season turns out.

1 votes

95 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Great pickup...

…but the guy can’t do it all by himself.

by FrenchFreak on Nov 4, 2008 2:03 PM CST reply actions

Vilma could be the foundation for our defensive renaissance

He’s young; and if he can stay healthy, and we can surround him with better talent, we have a real chance. A good safety, another stud linebacker, and getting healthy next year might turn everything around.

Hold on…did I just enter “Wait ’til next year” mode?!

by MtnExile on Nov 4, 2008 2:23 PM CST reply actions

reheat the Gibbs Gumbo?

Hell, we could get Lito Sheppard in here and it’s not going to change anything appreciably. We don’t have a scheme.

by stujo4 on Nov 4, 2008 2:40 PM CST up reply actions

Well, losing Gibbs is a given

Make that a giveaway. Give him away…to Oakland, or Detroit, or Kuwait. Anywhere. Just make him go away. And get us a defensive coordinator who can pull his own weight.

by MtnExile on Nov 4, 2008 2:50 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

We need to find more Jon-Vilma-type players for the defensive backfield – the current lot, aside from McKenzie and Gay, are not even adequate, although they do come up with a big play every once in a while.

by Hans Petersen on Nov 4, 2008 2:40 PM CST reply actions

strength up the middle

A front 7 of McCray/Ellis/Thomas/Smith (backed up by Clancy and Young) together with LBs Fujita/Vilma/Shanle (or Dunbar if you must) ain’t so bad. Need more depth at DE whether or not GRant ultimately comes back.

CBs have, believe it or not, overperformed in my view, at least they did until Tracy Porter got hurt (who would think we’d say that in August). Need some safety help; Harper brings the run D but is still a liability in coverage. Kaesviharn/Bullocks definitely isn’t gettin’ it. McKenzie/Porter/Gay, with a sprinkling of Young and Glenn, is pretty decent.

by MobileSaint on Nov 4, 2008 3:05 PM CST reply actions