Jonathan Vilma is not on our team anymore (to whoever dug deep into the archives to revive this dusty old thread!) ... oh wait, I didn't help matters by replying did I
So, if the bias wasn't there, I think it's kinda obvious the dude was right. Everyone jumped this guy because of an unpopular belief at that time, only unpopular because Vilma was arguably our beat defensive player at that time. You do realize the Saints ran a 4-3 in 09, right? The scheme that the OP said he was best suited for to begin with, which it was. Mangini clearly felt he was a bad fit for the 3-4, I felt the same at that time, he was traded. Where exactly was he wrong? All I read was a bunch of people bashing a guy for an unpopular opinion at that time. It was embarrassing to read to be honest. I'm glad it doesn't feel that malicious on this board now adays for me, compared to what it used to be.
He was sideline to sideline but I think Vilma had enough athletism and strength to excel alongside a younger thumping Harris. I dont believe Vilma was the problem. I've always felt D. Robertson was the actual problem as a 3-4 NT. A real slouch if I've ever seen one. Vilma during his prime was greatness. Put an IMLB duo of Harris & Vilma behind Kris Jenkins and imo we wouldn't be having this discussion.
He was drafted to be the 3 technique in Herm's Tampa D.....didn't fare too well in that role either. Especially given where we took him. I believe Bradway traded up to get him off the top of my head too?
Alan Branch as Richard Seymour. Kerry Rhodes as Troy Polamalu, and Bryan Thomas as a stud pass rushing outside linebacker. Why aren't you our GM?
They all got on him because his thoughts about where players would be drafted and what compensation the Jets could get for Vilma were out there. He expected a top 20 pick for Vilma and wanted to draft both Branch and Woodley with top 20 picks. I don't think there was anyone questioning Vilma's fit in the 3-4, at least not in the 1st 30 posts I read. It was all about Maddenesque trade and draft scenarios. He then followed up his original post with multiple posts calling people douche bags and morons and insisting that he had "forgotten more about football than you will ever know". I surefire way to endear himself to other TGGers.
A Vilma could play for our team today. Mangini's version of the 3-4 sucked. Attacking 3-4's like ours love the Vilma types. Hopefully Lee becomes one, maybe better.
Vilma?! Think you bumped an old enough thread? What's next.... How about I go back and find an old Sporting News from when we got rid of Farrior? Let me head to the local library.
Speaking of #4, I thought his 2016 (unscripted) H.O.F speech was terrific. He holds NFL records for most Completions (6,300), Starts (298), Interceptions (336), Fumbles (166) & Sacks (525). Now, he also holds the record for the "longest Hall of Fame speech" going on (unscripted) for 36 minutes. Another Favre record. I did find it pretty neat how the entire Sourthern Mississippi college football team attended and sat through his entire induction into the Hall. Class act from that program.
Vilma couldn't shed blocks and didn't want to try; he was never going to work in a 3-4. This much was obvious while he was still on the team. Getting rid of him was the smart move.
