ESPN Insider has discussed how Jon and Kris will do with their new teams: Jonathan Vilma, MLB, New Orleans Saints If healthy, Vilma is exactly what the Saints need. He is ultra-competitive, tenacious and a natural leader on the field. He has great range and is a playmaker with some of the aggressive traits that have served his fellow Miami alums so well in the NFL. New Orleans did not have a defensive identity or a leader who made everyone accountable last season, but it does now with Vilma. The Saints would be wise to add another big body at defensive tackle to help protect the undersized middle linebacker, and it is still unclear how well the 25-year-old has recovered from a knee injury, but this is the type of move that can quickly turn around a defense. New Orleans has a good chance to win the NFC South next year, and Vilma is a major reason why. The Saints got better in a hurry on defense, and without pressing needs on offense they are in a position to further bolster that unit on draft day. Kris Jenkins, DT, New York Jets Since his arrival in New York, coach Eric Mangini has stubbornly stuffed a round peg into a square hole by plugging Dewayne Robertson into the nose tackle spot in the Jets' 3-4 scheme. A massive space-eater is absolutely necessary for a 3-4 to be successful, as he allows the rest of the defense and the inside linebackers in particular to move freely against the inside run. Robertson does not fit that mold, and the problem is that players like Vince Wilfork and Casey Hampton do not grow on trees. Add to that the fact that quality nose tackles are at a premium right now in the NFL and it is even more difficult to find a quality guy to put in the middle of a 3-4. Jenkins, however, is capable of being exactly that kind of player for the Jets. He is massive, extremely powerful and can eat up blockers on the inside. Jenkins does have some problems with fatigue at times, but New York has a young nose tackle in Sione Pouha who should be capable of keeping Jenkins fresh. Jenkins is still playing at a high level and this could very well end up being the best move the Jets have made during their hectic offseason.
What was the risk in us keeping Vilma? Why not let me try and play the 3-4 with a true NT. The worst case scenario is he isnt effective and walks, instead of us getting a 4th round pick. Worth the risk to me.
Not getting anything of value for him on the field or in some other way (draft picks). Injured...1 year left on his contract...no chance of signing him long term to play in a defense he clearly didn't fit. Why was he worth keeping around for 1 more year?
If he was healthy and played well behind Jenkins he probably would've stayed. If he played poorly he would not have been resigned. Now if he plays well we get a 3rd, which is not enough value for an effective healthy Vilma, and if he blows we got a 4th, which probably won't be an impract player.
OK...we're talking ineffective with a major knee injury Vilma here...playing in a system he *might* be good in behind a good NT.
Vilma Did Not Want To Be Here...he Didnt Like Mangini. He Wants To Be A Superstar Not And Avg. Player Next To A 2nd Year Player
True Pouha is old, that was an issue at hand when he was drafted, but he's only got mileage on him like a 25 year-old due to his time off and missing all of last year. Maybe they assumed he was young due to his relative inexperience?
NT's can play for 12+ years. look at Ted Washington and Grady Jackson. As long as they are healthy they are fine.
First, the Jets receive a 4th this year (2008) regardless of how Vilma plays. If he plays well and is extended, the Jets get the Saints 2nd or 3rd next year (2009), and we give them our 4th (basically the Jets upgrade their 4th rounder). Second, Washington and Cotchery were both drafted in the 4th.
I imagine Vilma was interested in some type of new contract rather than playing out the final year of his deal (even though he was injured). I haven't heard, but did NO give him a new deal?
vilma just doesnt fit our system better off getting rid of him now when he atleast has more value then he will after next year if he stayed here
