Might Dominik Look At Vilma Again?
January 21st, 2012
- “I know it’s 3rd-and-4 but keep an eye out for the Benn’d around”
If one is to believe noted NFL scribe Peter King, of Sports Illustrated, Bucs general manager Mark Dominik was on the trail of then free agent middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma back when the Bucs were searching for impact free agents before the 2009 season.
And given that Dominik sent Barrett Ruud out of town against the stated desires of Raheem Morris, one can hardly doubt King’s report about Vilma.
Now it seems Dominik might have another crack at 29-year-old Vilma, who has three Pro Bowls on his resume (two with the Saints) and is known as a leader and team captain. The Bucs are desperate for a rock in their linebacking corps and Vilma could be a salary cap “causalty” of the Saints offseason, so wrote ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas during a live chat Friday.
Kirk (Myrtle Beach): Who do you think will be the biggest cap casualty in the NFC South?
Pat Yasinskas: Jonathan Vilma or Will Smith wouldn’t surprise me. Not saying either one definitely happens. But they wouldn’t surprise me.
Per Rotoworld.com, Vilma is scheduled to earn $5.4 million in 2012. However, he played nearly the entire 2011 season with a bad knee, which needed midseason surgery that he later returned from.
Is Vilma healthy? Will he be? Joe has no clue. But if he is recovered and is cut by the Saints, Joe can’t imagine any new head coach thumbing his nose at Vilma, especially if the Bucs stick with a 4-3 defense. Mason Foster might be better suited as an outside linebacker anyway.
Just something Joe will file away in the back of his mind.
January 21st, 2012 at 9:04 am
Wow, a real Bucs story? No more ‘suppositions?’ Vilma would be an upgrade. Make it happen Dom
January 21st, 2012 at 9:15 am
If not Tulloch or DQwell Jackson are both good guys for us to target in free agency.
January 21st, 2012 at 9:15 am
They need someone like him for the D. I think Freeman is ready to take over the Offense and stop listening to the soldier.
January 21st, 2012 at 9:28 am
Vilma had a degenerative bad knee when he was acquired by the Saints for a 2nd rounder a few years back. I’m pretty sure that after missing a large chunk of this past season with major knee problems that his knees are probably pretty much shot, and if not, a huge risk. I think the Glazers would be wiser to spend their money on something that they might get a better return on… like padded seat cushions.
January 21st, 2012 at 9:37 am
I agree with Meh on D’Qwell Jackson. He is from Tampa and last year expressed a desire to come home. He will be harder to get this time around because he had a great year with the Browns and they have already expressed their desire to re-sign him. High profile players like Vilma will not come to Tampa, all things being equal, unless he is overpaid!
January 21st, 2012 at 9:47 am
Jackson or Tulloch would be an outstanding pickup. They have to go into FA and LB is an absolute must.
January 21st, 2012 at 10:15 am
Love the caption under the pic.
January 21st, 2012 at 10:25 am
While he’s at it…..back-up the Brinks truck for Carl Nicks
January 21st, 2012 at 10:25 am
The Caption was funny Joe, and Mr Lucky said it best, Vilma would be a real upgrade for us.
January 21st, 2012 at 10:42 am
Nicks would be great. So would Grubbs. And don’t forget Finnegan and Bowe if they aren’t franchised. I’m under no illusions that we’re going to get all these free agents, but I hope we at least pick up a few of the good ones.
January 21st, 2012 at 10:48 am
Funny to think 3 fa studs, Nicks,Jackson,Tulloch would make our team so much more solid.we really are not that far away.Claiborne or dennard at corner in draft and stud receiver(kid Fromm Baylor) we would be very close
January 21st, 2012 at 11:13 am
Jesus NOOO!!!! Why do we feel compelled to hire terrible LBs consistently? He was rated 4th from the bottom this season and dead last last season in PFFs overall inside linebackers grades. Watch him play. He isn’t very good at all.
Tulloch infinitely over Vilma. Tulloch has been solid his whole career and has really blown up in Detroit. Vilma has been underwhelming since he entered the NFL.
He would only add to the misery of our defense.
January 21st, 2012 at 11:15 am
Vilma underwhelming? Are you nuts? If he’s healthy, it’s worth picking up his contract. He makes LESS than Faine!!!
January 21st, 2012 at 11:18 am
Yes. Vilma is underwhelming. He would not significantly enhance our LB corp. Tulloch would instantly as he did in Detroit.
January 21st, 2012 at 11:35 am
As far as tackling lBs, there aren’t many worse than Vilma:
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/07/21/missed-tackles-three-year-bests-and-worsts/
As far as a pass rushing ILBs, he might be the worst:
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/01/06/defensive-signature-stats/
The past two seasons he has ranked in the bottom five of overall rankings:
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/01/26/nfc-pro-bowl-who-you-should-have-been-watching-or-not-watching-in-hawaii/
January 21st, 2012 at 11:45 am
????
The entire story is supposition.
And we don’t even know if the man will become available yet, so isn’t it a bit early to demand Dom make it happen?
January 21st, 2012 at 11:55 am
You’re right AcvoCare, Vilma tackled horribly all last season and was constantly out of position. He’s not a stud by any means in the middle. Plus, he’s only produced a single 100+ total tackle season in his career (2nd season) – he’s a middle linebacker! Due to his injury history, I’d say he’s no better than Barrett Rudd. And frankly, he’s overrated.
January 21st, 2012 at 12:08 pm
@BKNY You nailed it. I have been referring to Vilma as Ruud’s long lost twin as they have the same exact skill set i.e. decent to solid in coverage but terrible at practically everything else. It would not be a significant upgrade to Foster at mike, though it would allow Foster to move to his more natural position at sam.
I have a post awaiting moderation that shows the stats of his tackling and pass rushing. Bottom in the league in both.
January 21st, 2012 at 12:14 pm
D’Qwell Jackson
January 21st, 2012 at 12:25 pm
No to Vilma and a resounding YES to Nicks.
Vilma is a shell of his former self.
There are plenty of pending better free agents (obviously projecting) like Dan Connor, David Hawthorne, and the aforementioned Jackson/Tulloch.
I think Watson and Foster start somewhere, probably the two outside spots, and a vet is brought in to keep it solid.
January 21st, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@lowlife Connor is very interesting. Only reason he isn’t starting is that he is behind Beason. He is young, healthy, and a solid player with little wear and tear. He would command a fraction of what Vilma is being offered and would fit well in a scheme similar to what Carolina is doing. He is small, but he has been great against the run his entire career. Depending on our DC, he might be a good fit.
January 21st, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Anyone is better than Quincy and Geno, upgrade is a must in FA @LB.
If we don’t upgrade the LB position w proven talent, than it would be a WASTED PICK TO GET A CB WITHOUT SURING UP TJE LB CORPS.
If we go cheap and patch up the LB corps with a 5,6,or 7th rounder,then it will be useless to draft a CB @ #5, as teams would continue to abuse our LB’s.
I am all for draftin Mo Claibourne @#5, if we bring in a proven veteran FA LB. If not, then it’s got to be between Richardson/Blackmon.
January 21st, 2012 at 1:54 pm
no way to Vilma he is damaged goods, yes to D’Qwell Jackson and Tulloch and some free agent WR or draft one hope kendall wright falls to the 2nd round
January 21st, 2012 at 2:46 pm
There is no way in hell the Saints will cut Vilma. Especially for only 5 million bucks. He is there D. He is the Peyton Manning of Defense. He calls all of their audibles and with Spagnola there. He can be even better!!! BUT if by some miracle they do. We HAVE to get him. Dom dropped the ball last time. And if they do cut him. You know we will want to sign in this division to play them twice a year. He would be so pissed off if he gets cut. I just don’t see them doing it. Terrible buisness decision!!!
January 21st, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Vilma being injured could be the only reason he becomes available. It would be a gamble, but there is ZERO chance Nicks hits the market.
January 21st, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Not to mention, lowlife (that’s his name, not an insult), two different positions.
January 21st, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Vilma is AWFUL. The Saints have the second worst linebacking core in the NFL next to the Bucs and Vilma is a big part of that.