Jonathan Vilma
proCanes

Vilma's stats don't add up in the 3-4

Dec/21/06 08:34 AM
No forced fumbles and 58 solo tackles. This doesn't sound like the Jonathan Vilma who rocked a lot of fans, and running backs, at the University of Miami, or in his first two seasons with the New York Jets.

But he insisted Wednesday the downturn in his statistical portfolio has nothing to do with rookie coach Eric Mangini's switch to a three-four defense and that all is well with both himself and the astonishing Jets.

If Vilma is not the inside linebacker he was a year ago, when he had more than double the number of solo tackles at 124, 169 total when you fold in assists, then neither are the Jets the same pack of losers

Jets' Vilma just doing his job

Dec/19/06 08:16 AM
HEMPSTEAD - The music was blasting inside the Jets' big white practice bubble. They were trying to simulate the noise and indoor feel they will experience tomorrow at the Vikings' home dome. Jonathan Vilma stood on the field simulating with them, directing traffic before the scout team's snaps.

The 2005 Pro Bowl linebacker has been cited for being more of a traffic cop and less of a playmaker in the 3-4 defensive system coach Eric Mangini brought here this year. He has been calling signals and getting guys in the right spots. Then he has been staying in his proper area, meeting up with a lot of linemen and not having as much of a loud impact.

Still, all accounts have him learning well and getting better in the role. And Vilma hasn't whined about it, just been a good team guy, accepting what he has been asked to do and devoting himself to his studies of each week's opposing offense.

Vilma contributes with more than just tackles

Dec/16/06 09:39 AM
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The music was blasting inside the Jets' big white practice bubble. They were trying to simulate the noise and indoor feel they will experience tomorrow at the Minnesota Vikings' home dome.

Jonathan Vilma stood on the field simulating with them, directing traffic before the scout team's snaps.

The 2005 Pro Bowl linebacker has been cited for being more of a traffic cop and less of a playmaker in the 3-4 defensive system coach Eric Mangini brought here this year.

He has been calling signals and getting guys in the right spots. Then he has been staying in his proper area, meeting up with a lot of linemen and not having as much of a loud impact.

Vilma sacks claim 3-4 scheme isn't for him

Dec/15/06 07:13 AM
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Following last Sunday's 31-13 loss to Buffalo, Bills left tackle Jason Peters echoed the sentiments of the media by saying Jets inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma and the 3-4 defensive scheme are a bad marriage.

Vilma, who has struggled making the adjustment from the 4-3, was credited with just one tackle against the Bills.

"I got up on him a couple of times," Peters told Jets Confidential The Magazine. "He doesn't like it when somebody gets up on him and blocks him. He's more of a sideline-to-sideline, fill-the-gap type of guy. He's more of a 4-3 guy. The 3-4, I don't know. It's going to be hard for him to make plays in the 3-4."

Vilma Update

Dec/14/06 09:44 AM
Jonathan Vilma's struggles are being noted by opponents. "I got up on him a couple of times," Bills LT Jason Peters told Jets Confidential after playing against him Sunday, when Vilma was credited with one tackle. "He doesn't like it when somebody gets up on him and blocks him. He is more of a sideline-to-sideline, fill-the-gap type of guy. He is more of a 4-3 guy. The 3-4, I don't know. It's going to be hard for him to make plays in the 3-4."

(newsday.com)

STAY ON COURSE WITH JONATHAN VILMA AND THE BURGER KING ON XBOX LIVE

Dec/08/06 09:16 PM
New York Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma and royal subject the Burger King will swap practice cleats and a WHOPPER® Sandwich for a low-rider to race against fans on Xbox Live® as part of the latest Xbox Live Game with Fame session. Xbox Live Gold members interested in the chance to take on the duo in Pocketbike Racer for Xbox 360™ Tuesday, December 12, 2006 between 4:30 - 5:30 PM ET, should visit bkgamer.com and register by December 8, 2006.

The King is most recognized for his starring role in the BURGER KING® TV ads, but seems to be everywhere these days -- walking red carpets, making big hits on the NFL field, dating celebrity models and now starring in his own video games.

New York Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma is the third player in team history to earn the coveted AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. In just his third season in the NFL, Vilma has started in 42 of 44 games played, collecting 372 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, five interceptions for 59 yards, 11 pass deflections, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. While attending the University of Miami, Vilma was a three-time member of the Academic All-Big East team and a first-team All-American selection. He was also a two-time Butkus Award nominee, which recognizes the nation's top linebacker.

Vilma, Jets look to be tundra-tough

Dec/03/06 12:28 PM
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Some Jets who have never visited this biggest little city on NFL Earth expressed reverence about playing in the shrine called Lambeau.

Some said they'll follow Eric Mangini's five-second rule, "appreciating the atmosphere," then moving on to what's important: beating the Packers.

For Jonathan Vilma, five seconds is about five seconds too long.

"To be honest, I'm just going out there and trying to win the game and not worry about anything else," Vilma said, not disrespectfully but matter-of-factly. "It's definitely a business trip. We need to go out there and take care of business."

Tickets for Jonathan Vilma's Appearance on Quite Frankly in NYC

Dec/02/06 10:37 AM
University of Miami Friends and Family

Join Quite Frankly for our exclusive interview with

Jonathan Vilma
NY Jets Linebacker

* Pizza, Beverages, Prizes & Giveaways *

Show Day: Monday, December 4th

Show Time: 5:30pm (Times subject to change)
***Check-in by 4:00pm

Studio Location: Hotel Pennsylvania @ 15 Penn Plaza
Across from the world famous Madison Square Garden

For FREE Ticket Reservations:

Contact: 646-708-7102 or Melissa.A.Salvo.-nd@espn.com

*Be sure to include your first and last name, telephone number with area code and the amount of tickets you would like so we can place you on our show day guest list. You will receive a reply via email with your show day information if your reservation has been accepted!

Airs weeknights at 11:00pm on ESPN2
www.ESPN.com/QuiteFrankly

Jets' Vilma getting used to leadership role

Dec/01/06 11:47 PM
HEMPSTEAD - Instinct still tells Jets inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma to head toward the football. He's getting used to ignoring that little voice.

"It starts with the first step. If you make a wrong step on the initial reaction, you messed up the rest of the play,'' Vilma said yesterday. "Naturally, you want to do things you can't do now, and that's a little tough.''

Jets coach Eric Mangini offered some unsolicited praise, comparing the way Vilma calls the defensive signals to the way Chad Pennington runs the offense.

"Whereas he gets more and more familiar with the system, you see a lot of his style of play incorporated into the system,'' Mangini said.

Vilma’s Small Statistics Not Seen as a Big Deal

Dec/01/06 07:02 AM
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Nov. 30 — Coach Eric Mangini likes to look beneath the surface, beyond the statistics, to appreciate — and defend — his players.

After the Jets lost to the Chicago Bears, 10-0, on Nov. 19, Chad Pennington was criticized for throwing two costly interceptions and passing for only 162 yards. Mangini came to his defense, highlighting the nuances that were Pennington’s strengths.

On Thursday, it was linebacker Jonathan Vilma who received the verbal pat on the back.

“One of the things that we’ve been talking about quite a bit with Chad lately is the unseen things that he does — getting us in and out of checks, getting us in and out of good and bad plays,” Mangini said. “And I think that on the flip side, Jonathan Vilma is very similar to Chad in that way.”
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INSIDE GANG GREEN New York Jets’ star linebacker Jonathan Vilma reveals the secret to the team’s recent success on the playing field.

Nov/29/06 06:29 PM
Who said the New York Jets wouldn’t amount to anything this year? Defying NFL prognosticators and local naysayers, the perennially displaced Giants Stadium tenants are in the playoff hunt. As the second half of the season takes shape, the Jets’ All-Pro linebacker and team captain tells New York Press he’s happy being nicknamed after Wilma Flintstone, pretty sure that football can be a way out of juvey and certain that Donna Shalala is down with “Da U.”

NY Press: The movie Gridiron Gang, starring the Rock, is about teenagers in a detention center gaining self-esteem through football. How realistic is that scenario?

Jonathan Vilma: Although I haven’t been in that situation before, I think it’s realistic in the same way many other programs help kids that are straying or haven’t had the proper guidance. You can help them through football like any other program.

Vilma working to fit in

Nov/10/06 08:12 PM
HEMPSTEAD - There are expectations for any inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. But that doesn't mean there's a mold.

So while Jonathan Vilma specifically studied game film of the Patriots' Tedy Bruschi in the offseason as the Jets prepared to import New England's scheme, he is not Bruschi's carbon copy.

"He's different than a lot of those guys because - not that the other guys are slow - but Jon has very good speed and he's extremely rangy," Jets coach Eric Mangini said yesterday.

Vilma Update

Oct/29/06 10:25 AM
Jonathan Vilma: The Jets inside linebacker -- their best defensive playmaker the past two seasons -- had his best game since Week 1 with 11 tackles, his first interception of the season and two pass defenses against the Lions. More importantly, he seemed to finally be given some freedom to make plays along the sidelines rather than strictly going head-on with the offensive linemen. That should be important this week as all four linebackers, including Bryan Thomas and Victor Hobson on the outside and Eric Barton inside, will be on notice with Browns tight end Kellen Winslow running routes. Winslow leads the team with 33 receptions, the NFL high for tight ends. The 3-4 is better suited to placing a linebacker in coverage against the tight end than the Jets' former 4-3 scheme.
(c-n.com)

Vilma Update

Oct/17/06 02:04 PM
Alumni blues: Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma, a first-round pick out of Miami in 2004, was sad to see the vicious brawl that marred the Hurricanes' 35-0 win over Florida International and resulted in 31 suspensions, the firing of Miami television analyst Lamar Thomas and, possibly, the eventual firing of Vilma's college coach, Larry Coker.

Vilma said he didn't want to comment because he wasn't there, but admitted it was a "black eye'' for the Hurricanes.

"Yeah, it is, because of the history of the program,'' Vilma said. "They're always going to twist it, no matter what happens; they'll twist it to make Miami look bad, even though what they did was obviously bad. It's just tough, especially being Miami and all the things going wrong right now, they didn't need that. It's bad timing.

"He's the head coach. Obviously he's got to take the lumps for it. I think he's still in control. He was a great coach when I was down there.''

(thejournalnews.com)

Vilma, Barton upset over roughing penalties

Oct/09/06 10:40 PM
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Not that it would have changed the outcome, but Jets linebackers Jonathan Vilma and Eric Barton wanted credit for getting to Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich, not penalties for roughing the passer.

"I understand you want to protect the quarterback," Vilma said after Sunday's 41-0 loss. "But you've got to let us play football. They're not letting us play football."

Vilma burst through the middle to pressure Leftwich into a quick release on a third-and-goal from the Jets' 7-yard line, with the Jaguars already leading 21-0 midway through the second quarter.

Vilma trying to adjust

Oct/06/06 09:48 AM
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Even if it were up to him, Jonathan Vilma is not nearly ready to scrap the Jets' experiment with the 3-4 defense. And he insists he is not as discouraged about their progress or lack of it in the alignment.

"Nah, I'm not frustrated. I'm fine," Vilma said Wednesday, before slightly amending that assessment. "The only thing that's frustrating is that I'm not playing the defense perfectly, the way I want."

Jets' Vilma getting caught in traffic on defense

Oct/05/06 10:13 AM
NEW YORK - No one said it was going to be easy, and so far, Eric Mangini's switch to a 3-4 Jets defense has been anything but.

Going into Sunday's game in Jacksonville, the Jets rank 29th in defense and 25th against the run. Worse yet, Mangini's star linebacker, Jonathan Vilma, seems to be confined by the new scheme.

It's not a big surprise. Vilma's idol and fellow Miami Hurricane, Ray Lewis, disliked the 3-4 so much that when the Ravens returned to the 4-3 last year he said, "Finally, finally again, I get to play football."

Jets: Mangini's 3-4 scheme proving difficult for Vilma

Oct/03/06 08:29 AM
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Perhaps he was busy. Perhaps he didn't want to talk. Maybe he was tired.

Then again, perhaps he's frustrated and believed his frustration would rear its ugly head during a probing interview in the wake of the Jets' defensive collapse Sunday against the Colts.

Whatever the reason, inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is probably the most media-friendly player on the team, avoided reporters yesterday.

Vilma pores a Bruschi: He taps Patriots star to learn 3-4 defense

Sep/14/06 08:59 AM
FOXBORO - Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma is an excellent player in his own right, fresh off a monstrous 169-tackle season.

But when Eric Mangini became head coach and then-Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson left for Detroit, Vilma knew he’d have to adjust his game in the middle of Bob Sutton’s 3-4 defense.

So he asked for video of one player: Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi.

“I started asking for DVDs to actually watch, because there is only so much that the coach can tell you and the coach can coach you,” Vilma said. “I actually have to see it for myself.”

Jets LB adjusts to change - Vilma hoping new defense produces better results

Sep/10/06 09:28 AM
EAST RUTHERFORD — After eluding the post-snap chaos while remaining focused on Eli Manning, there came a recognition that No. 21 was stepping through an opening to his left.

Suddenly, all the pieces fell into place for Jonathan Vilma, as they had a league-best 187 times last season. And so, in a move that was as athletic as it was instinctive, the Jets' linebacker stepped up and buried Tiki Barber in the Giants Stadium FieldTurf a split second after the ball arrived.

It was merely a preseason game on a pleasant summer evening. Nothing at stake. Not even bragging rights. But in just over a half, Vilma went out and made nine tackles, appearing to be the best player on either side of the ball throughout.

You see, Vilma's an artist, skirting blockers and scurrying from sideline to sideline to produce gridiron masterpieces each Sunday. He's Picasso in Kelly green, having led the league in tackles last season even though he was often the one guy opposing offenses knew they had to avoid.

Now, however, the Jets' latest regime is essentially replacing his paints with crayons. They're asking a pure 4-3 middle linebacker, who's at his best when reacting and flying to the football, to morph into a 3-4 inside linebacker, fighting off wide-body guards and full-speed blocking backs while reading the play.
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Self-tutoring helped Vilma shorten learning curve

Aug/17/06 06:33 PM
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- One of the NFL's best young middle linebackers the past two seasons, with a résumé that already includes a defensive rookie of the year award in 2004 and a trip to the Pro Bowl for 2005, Jonathan Vilma acknowledged Tuesday that he was shaken from his comfort zone in the offseason by the news that the New York Jets had hired Eric Mangini as their head coach.