Taking team needs out of the equation, I think in todays NFL, Vilma is worth anything from 25 down. I think he is respected but had 1 huge year out of 3 and doesnt fit the profile of a playmaker because he doesnt get sacks or interceptions.
The guy had 70 tackles his rookie season (not player all games) and 130 in year two (better year than many of the top MLBs in the league have had)... he changes to a scheme that he's never player in and he isn't a playmaker? I respectfully disagree.Maybe he continues to adjust in the 3-4 and ups the ante this year, but put him in a 4-3, he's a playmaker.
I am talking about perceived value. He has only 2.5 career sacks in 3 years and 5 interceptions.Other top flight MLBUrlacher - In 6.5 years he has 32.5 sacks and 10 interceptions.Bruschi - In 10 years he has 28.5 sacks and 12 interceptions with 4 TD'sFletcher - In 9 years he has 27.5 sacks and 11 interceptions.Ray Lewis - In 10 years he has 28 sachs and 23 interceptionsIts just measurables. Vilma is an excellent player but one of the reasons that trades arent prevelent in the NFL is because you only have a finite number of years to play. Some might think that Vilma is entering his prime, others would say he has used 3 of his 8 years of prime playing.
Vilma didn't start the first 3 or 4 games of his rookie season. Still was the DROY. Then, he made the probowl in year two as an alternate. Last year has to be considered a wash. Vilma never got the blitz call, so he couldn't get sacks. Aside from that, he playes the strong side ILB spot in Mangini's 3-4. That is the position that will always get the lowest stat numbers. Last year was an anomoly, a new defense and being put in the least productive spot amoung the 4 LB positions. That is Mangini's stay at home position, and frankly, does not suit Vilma's talent set worth a darn. Is Barnett also suddenly lousy? All that happened there wasn't even a scheme change, it was the addition of Hawk. Vilma led the NFL in tackles in 2005. So, to take the bias out of your stat listing, say Vilma in 2.7 years.... you gave Urlacher a half year off. Vilma is very capable of the big play, but it's scheme dependent. Last year Vilma had NO sacks, NO INT's, and that isn't because he suddenly sucks. It's about the scheme. I've been told how very wrong I am about this, but my opinion hasn't changed. Vilma should be an OLB in the 3-4. He would double the sack production Hobson had from that spot. His game is speed and making reads. Not shedding blocks behind a weak D line in a 3-4. And that last comment.... that Vilma's prime started in his rookie year? LMAO. I guess the Pats NEVER should have signed A Thomas, who will be 30 when the season starts. He's clearly washed up. Stick a fork in him. He's over the hill, a has been. Past his prime. Bad signing.