The New York Jets have traded MLB Jonathan Vilma to the New Orleans Saints for a 4th round pick in 2009 that could be upgraded to a 3rd round based on how he plays in 2008. Vilma is in the final year of his contract and he goes to New Orleans without a new deal.
Vilma, 25, was drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. That same year he won the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. In 4 seasons with the Gang Green Vilma played in 55 games, recoding 441 total tackles (311 solo). He also had 2.5 sacks, 6 INTs and 5 forced fumbles. Vilma missed 9 games last year due to a season ending injury.
Drafted to be a middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense, Vilma didn't fit in as well when Eric Mangini installed a 3-4 defense. Vilma's knee problems and the emergence of MLB David Harris also influenced the Jets' decision to move him.