I still love Vilma and think hes a fantastic play maker. I know hes struggling in the new defense at the inside position with the lineman constantly in his face so i won't argue to keep him in the middle. How about maybe switching him to one of the outside linebackers? I know he has great speed and good eye for the football. Im sure he could cover tight ends one on one and also get to the quarterback. You could also throw some exotic blitzes at the opposing offenses with the different skills he would bring to the position. This guy is a playmaker and makes a lot of things happen on the defensive side of the football field. I just cant see the Jets benching a player of this caliber. Anyone agree or disagree with seeing how he does on the outside?
The answer you will overwhelmingly see is that he's too small. Whether that really matters or not, we'll never know, nor should we.
Me too, trust me, it's tiring trying to make the point that the guy is one of the league's best tacklers over the course of his career. But you won't win any votes of confidence on this board, unfortunately. There are far more that are unlike us, than are in agreement.
Vilma's situation reminds me a lot of Hugh Douglas in his first year under Parcells. They took a 4-3 pass rushing end and tried to turn him into a 3-4 end. '97 was by far Douglas' worst season and he was gone the next year and went on to several Pro Bowls with the Eagles. Vilma is the same type of square peg being fit into a round hole. The Jets need to either trade Vilma or change the scheme. He just does not work in this Defense.
I wonder if theres an outside shot of him trimming a few pounds and converting to safety? Does he have enough speed - I doubt it, but in the midst of this slide I find myself grasping at straws.
Given Vilma's size and speed, I agree that we should try to pair him with Kerry Rhodes at the safety position. He would have the opportunity to make plays in the open field instead of getting mauled by guards.
Traditionally, he is too small to play OLB in the 3-4.... But we have pretty decent tackling corners, and our Ss are good at filling the alley on outside run plays and making tackles.... Yes, it would be difficult for him to hold the point of attack on outside runs, but I think he'd have a lot more support there than in the middle... He'd also be very good running with TEs and covering the flats.... Not to mention, he would have very good speed blitzing off the edge I know it's not traditional, but I don't see us improving without some innovation and without taking some chances.... Why not? We have two fully capable guys at ILB with Barton and Harris, and two marginal guys on the outside, with Hobson and Thomas... May as well mix it up a little On the idea of moving Vilma to safety.... Roy Williams, of Dallas is the same weight as Vilma, but a little taller.... Unfortunately, Williams is horrendous in pass coverage... Putting Vilma back there would take away any chance of Rhodes being able to come up and make plays like he is so used to doing, because he wouldn't have someone reliable to cover the deep middle part of the field
I don't think Vilma has the speed to play Safety. His speed was not considered elite for even the LB position.
I say try moving him outside...SS will not work IMO, but I think Boulware has done it before and its worked out pretty good...he's too good of a talent to just dismiss like some will tell you on this board
If he is too small and does not have decent speed, why even play him at LB? I would think if he did well in a 4-3, that his speed would be his asset since he is a small LB.
How bout safety? He can cover and he's no slower than Coleman. Than put Pouha at NT, D-Rob at DE, and Harris in Vilma's spot. That might work.
Especially not without a true NT who gets double teamed and clogs up the middle. He'd be challeneged in a 3-4 WITH a Wilfork-type playing in front of him, but playing behind D-Rob, (who was the worst player on the field yesterday imo) he has no shot with this scheme.
He could play strong safety from the standpoint of covering the TE. It's actually easier to get a read on the patterns they run when you have the play in front of you instead of crossing the field at your level. He could definitely handle the run support issues, although he's not enough of a headhunter to be a great strong safety in that regard. Vilma's speed is not really a big issue from the standpoint of any position other than the CB's and FS. He's a solid 4.5 in the 40 and there are many strong safeties in that range. Some a bit faster and some a bit slower.
We should move him..... to the bench... or off the team. To small and not tough enough to play IBL or MLB. Too slow for safety.
oh my god- does anyone even remember his season 2 years ago when he led the league in tackles???(and we sucked) he is an amazing LB whos talents are wasted i our system.... if we can get a solid draft pick - which we should- 4 him next yer we should take it-
Enough with this! He has had a season and a half in the "new system", it's no longer "new". Why won't people just accept that Vilma is no good in the 3-4 and should be gone from this team next season?
