I’d say the Saints came out on top in this one as Vilma has led the team in tackles the three seasons he has been in New Orleans and he is easily the leader of the defense, making the calls on the field and running the show.
Well, NFL Network seems to back up this sentiment. He’s ranked No. 37 on their top 100 players of 2011 list. Quarterback Drew Brees waxes poetic about his defensive counterpart in this three-plus minute video.
Vilma bad:
As 4-3 middle linebackers go, Vilma is undersized and has never excelled taking on bigger blockers in the run game, shedding quickly and making the play. He needs to be protected and then can use his excellent vision, anticipation skills, knowledge of the game and speed to get to the ball carrier. New Orleans didn't protect Vilma well enough in 2010, and I also am starting to think that Vilma's speed, quickness and pursuit skills could be in slight decline. He just was not a very good run defender last season. As 4-3 middle linebackers go, I now see Vilma as just a middle-of-the-pack starter.
What shocked me most was that Vilma was not much of a force versus the pass. His coverage skills were just middling, and he was too often beaten. If this continues, New Orleans might have to consider taking him off the field in clear throwing situations.
Of course, unless the lockout ends, this is the closest thing to a pro football contest we're going to see for a while.
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