This is encouraging; New Saints DC Gregg Williams would like to build his defense around impending free agent LB Jonathan Vilma. "I know Jonathan Vilma as well as anyone," Williams said. "He is perfect for what we do defensively. He would be outstanding in our system ... He's an integral part of the puzzle." Williams' defense relies on pre-snap checks and audibles with the middle linebacker playing a vital role. Vilma's recent arrest has obviously not affected his standing in Williams' eyes. Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
That is very encouraging. I just hope Vilma doesn't actually end up being that outstanding in the system. How does Gregg Williams know Vilma though?
Another 2nd round pick would be awesome... Seems to be a healthy depth at WR this year which it could be used for too...
Hello, 2nd rounder! I've been hearing recently that the 2nd round pick stipulation was an "or" clause instead of an "and" clause, as in "reach x % of defensive snaps or get resigned." It's mostly been word-of-mouth but if anyone can help me out with this it would be great.
I don't think so. We only got that 2nd rounder if he signed an extension. I think if he goes the FA route and then they sign him to a new contract it means nothing.
That's correct, they don't have to sign him before the FA period if they want to save themselves a draft pick. They just have to hope someone doesn't come along with a better offer since they don't have exclusive negotiating rights at that point.
The trouble as Im sure some of you know is that if he resigns and we get the Saints second rounder, the saints then have to give up their first round pick for Shockey (if I recall correctly from about a year ago, somebody correct me if Im incorrect). A 2 for Vilma might seem like a great deal, but a 1 for Shockey is a tough sell, I think theyve got some buyer's remorse with that guy.
I'm not overly familiar with the terms of the Shockey deal, but if they wanted to extend Vilma, without giving up a first rounder for Shockey, couldn't they "trade down" from round 1 to get an additional 2nd rounder. As long as that 2nd rounder is higher than their 2nd rounder, then they should be able to deal that to the Giants, while still keeping some of the excess value from their first round pick. Of course, I think they'll just have a wink-wink deal with Vilma & sign him after free agency begins.
We only get the second round pick if he resigns before the free agency period starts. As of now we have: Jets 1st Jets 2nd Saints 3rd Redskins 4th
Let's see how much that 'wink-wink' matters if the Patriots come calling. That would be a double-smack-in-the-face in this situation.
If we get their 2nd for Vilma, they don't have to give up their first in this draft, it would be their 2010 1st rounder.
Why would we have the Saints 3rd? We got the Saints 4th last year. If they resign Vilma we get their 2nd, but we give our 4th this year back to the Saints. And why do we have the Redskins 4th? We already received and used the 4th for Kendall a couple of years ago.
I doubt if they sign him before the FA. I mean right now they are giving away a 3rd and a second by not signing. If they sign him, they will be giving up a second and first. In essence, by signing him, they are moving down from a first round pick to the third round. Is Vilma worth moving down to third from a first? He had knee injury last yr and wasn't exactly a stud. If I were the Saints, I would take my chances at him in the FA. If I love him that much, just offer a good contract with nice bonus. Players generally like to stay in the same team and not move around unless they are unhappy with the org/team. If Vilma gets an outrageous deal elsewhere, they'll pass on him and draft another LB in the first round of 09 draft. Vilma is not an all pro LB so it won't be that hard to find that kind of talent in the draft.
Kendall was a 2009 pick. I think we trade our 4th for the saints 3rd as part of that trade due to playing time or something??
Yeah, that's the first I heard about it, too... http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-saints-vilmaarrested&prov=ap&type=lgns NEW ORLEANS (AP)?New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was arrested in Miami for reckless driving and resisting arrest, according to Miami police. Miami Dade County Jail spokeswoman Janelle Hall said Vilma was arrested Friday afternoon and released later that night on $6,500 bail. A call to a team spokesman was not immediately returned. ?Clearly he?s upset about being arrested and plans to fight it,? Vilma?s agent, Mitch Frankel, told The Associated Press. ?There was no alcohol, drugs or firearms involved. Jonathan plans to vigorously fight it.? Frankel added that Vilma was on his way to pick up someone at the airport and didn?t know why he was stopped for an ?alleged traffic violation.? Vilma will be a free agent this winter, but has said he would prefer to stay in New Orleans. He played every defensive snap and led the team in tackles in his first season with New Orleans after spending his first four years with the New York Jets. The Saints have said they intend to re-sign him.
