per Jets central: Recently traded Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma sat down for question and answer session with the Saints official website. Here?s a small recap of the interview. On being a Saint? ?It feels awesome. I can?t wait to meet my new teammates, all the coaches and all the people in the organization. I am really excited. I know it?s a good group of guys there and I know we are going to do good things together. I can say that at the end of the day it is where I wanted to be and am just really excited to be able to say I am a Saint. The waiting has been pretty hard. Then my agent called and said it looked like the Saints and Jets had completed a trade. It was a great piece of news.? On his knee injury? ?The next few months are laid out in front of me as far as what I have to do to get back to 100%. I haven?t had any setbacks and my progress has been excellent to this point and moving right along. I haven?t had any setbacks and am doing everything that I should be doing at this point in time. I am really progressing and have people that are working closely with me. I feel good.? On his leadership style and being a captain? ?My leadership style is what I would consider a combination of being a vocal leader and by leading by example. It has to be that way, I believe. You have to be able to demand things from your teammates but back it up by showing them that you care and you demand the same thing from yourself. When the leaders are setting the example and everyone buys it, then you are onto something. It?s a great feeling. As far as what I do, I want to be the first guy through the drills; the first guy setting the tempo and the tone and I expect the same thing from my teammates. I know in talking to people that there are a lot of great guys at the Saints and that winning is important to them, It?s not something they talk about, it?s something that they are about. I like that.? On Saints fans being excited about the acquisition? ?Tell them to get ready.?
Im almost tempted to drive down to New Orleans for training camp just to watch Vilma wrecking Reggie Bush over and over again. Great player, shame it didn't work out for him with the new staff.
I wish him luck, he was a great jet and I'm sad to see him go, but he just didn't fit the system. And I'm really glad he's going to the NFC.
When we play the Saints, whatever year that is, Vilma is going to get a hero's welcoming from us, and he deserves it.
great player, great guy, bad fit. he will do well in NO and i really really hope he makes the next 5 pro bowls in a row. the fact he didnt fit would make it so i wouldnt even be disappointed in the fact we traded him.
I know it's become very popular to root for the Saints (which is a good thing) but seriously, the Saints have to be one of the most exciting teams in football. I always root for ex-Jets, I'll DEFINITELY root for JV in NO. Bring back that 3rd rounder, Jonny Baby!
I can't wait to see the pick we're getting for him turn into another Anthony Schlegal. I guarentee we end up sick to our stomachs over this trade when we are watching him getting voted into the pro-bowl. As for Vilma, I hope he does go on to many Probowls. I absolutely loved the guy, he was never allowed to play to his stengths the past few years.
You have to love Vilma. Great team mate. Class act. God's Grace, Jonathan...glad you're over in the NFC.
I wish him nothing but the best in his new home. He was one of my favorite jets and a great leader on the defense. I hope he does great.
"I enjoyed my four seasons with the Jets and thank them for the opportunities they gave me," Vilma said in a statement. "But this represents a new chapter in my football career and in my life and I am truly excited and fortunate to be joining a team that just a little over a year ago was one win away from appearing in the Super Bowl." Vilma, who will be 26 in April, had 118 tackles after being the No. 12 overall pick out of Miami in 2004 and being named defensive rookie of the year. He led the NFL the following season with 187 tackles, earning a Pro Bowl selection while establishing himself as one of the league's top young middle linebackers.
I think the Jets have done Vilma a favour by letting him go for this compensation at this time. Hopefully he appreciates it. He seems to be a smart guy, so I'd bet he does.
