Vilma (1 Viewer)

[Bdub]

There hasn't been any talk about Vilma this off-season except for him being listed in Jene's rankings thread as a LB2.

How much does he have left in the tank? He just turned 29, and his stats have regressed 2 years in a row now. I know he had 4 really crappy games last year, and if he had thrown in an average of 5 solo's his numbers would have looked great. He's still a 3 down talented MLB, but can he get back into the 90+ solo tackle range like Ray Lewis did the last 2 years (later in his career)?

Is he a sneaky LB to target later in a redraft league? Is he a good LB2 or even a LB2+ for 2 to 3 more years? What is his contract status, 2 more years left in NO?

I'm just trying to figure out how he only had 71 solo's as an every down MLB. Crappy 2 down SLB's approach those numbers. I know he had some big plays in there as well, but I just don't know what to think about him for the rest of his career as a guy I want on my team.

 

[Bdub]

Jene, thoughts on Vilma for the next few years? I guess that question covers the rest of his fantasy career....

 

[Jene Bramel]

The Saints played more 3-4 last year as a base defense and Vilma has never shed blocks well or held up at the point of attack. He's more of a slashing, rangy type player. 71 solos are an aberration, but I doubt he tops 85 with the current playbook. I don't think he's a sneaky LB1, though I think his big play ability gives him LB1 upside in some weeks.

He's signed through 2013 and it's hard to see the current coaching staff changing (unless someone wants Williams as a head coach again). I suppose there's a chance that Martez Wilson gets a look inside (with Vilma moving outside), but I don't think that's likely and it wouldn't change Vilma's ceiling.

 

[Bdub]

The Saints played more 3-4 last year as a base defense and Vilma has never shed blocks well or held up at the point of attack. He's more of a slashing, rangy type player. 71 solos are an aberration, but I doubt he tops 85 with the current playbook. I don't think he's a sneaky LB1, though I think his big play ability gives him LB1 upside in some weeks. He's signed through 2013 and it's hard to see the current coaching staff changing (unless someone wants Williams as a head coach again). I suppose there's a chance that Martez Wilson gets a look inside (with Vilma moving outside), but I don't think that's likely and it wouldn't change Vilma's ceiling.

Thanks Jene. I didn't realize that they played a fair amount of 3-4 base defense last year. I do remember seeing him get stuffed by a blocker I don't know how many times when the play was coming right at him. So, compare him outlook to Daryl Washington. I'm not asking who to keep (I have them both already) but do you rank Vilma higher because he's "done it" before and his 3 down status is not in question? Or maybe he likely can get 4 sacks and a handful of other big plays and Washington sucked in that department as a rookie? I know you have talked about having some doubt that Washington is headed for a 3 down stud ILB role. Can he become a beast one day? I do have people bugging me about several of my LB's and it's hard to decide who's expendable and who should stay in my plans.

 

[Jene Bramel]

The Saints played more 3-4 last year as a base defense and Vilma has never shed blocks well or held up at the point of attack. He's more of a slashing, rangy type player. 71 solos are an aberration, but I doubt he tops 85 with the current playbook. I don't think he's a sneaky LB1, though I think his big play ability gives him LB1 upside in some weeks. He's signed through 2013 and it's hard to see the current coaching staff changing (unless someone wants Williams as a head coach again). I suppose there's a chance that Martez Wilson gets a look inside (with Vilma moving outside), but I don't think that's likely and it wouldn't change Vilma's ceiling.

Thanks Jene. I didn't realize that they played a fair amount of 3-4 base defense last year. I do remember seeing him get stuffed by a blocker I don't know how many times when the play was coming right at him. So, compare him outlook to Daryl Washington. I'm not asking who to keep (I have them both already) but do you rank Vilma higher because he's "done it" before and his 3 down status is not in question? Or maybe he likely can get 4 sacks and a handful of other big plays and Washington sucked in that department as a rookie? I know you have talked about having some doubt that Washington is headed for a 3 down stud ILB role. Can he become a beast one day? I do have people bugging me about several of my LB's and it's hard to decide who's expendable and who should stay in my plans.

The primary difference in the rankings today is situation. I'd probably rank Washington higher (based on ceiling) than Vilma for 2011-12 if it was certain that he would be the every-down WILB. For now, Vilma's track record speaks for itself. He's a consistent LB2, with marginal upside and a very nice floor. I'm not worried about Washington's big play ability. He didn't get many pass rush opportunities as a base defense only player and I think his athleticism projects well enough in coverage over the long term.Washington is still a developmental player, but one with some weekly upside because he's already playing. I think he's much more likely to follow the career path of Curtis Lofton and Barrett Ruud and Desmond Bishop (those who had to wait a year or more for full time duty behind veterans) than Justin Durant and Tavares Gooden and Jordon Dizon (or possibly Rey Maualuga). But his ultimate path is still undetermined.