VILMA SPEAKS ON JETS MATTERS

Mar/05/08 05:49 PM Filed in: Jonathan Vilma
While appearing on WFAN earlier today, former Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma talked with Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts.

Are you a little bitter that Mangini came in here and played to the strength of what you guys do best as opposed to trying to enforce his system on you?

No, considering that 1, it was an experience, now I can say that I’ve played in a 3-4, so I understand that defense. 2, looking at Eric Mangini’s side, you have a coach who’s been in a defense that not only won one super bowl, but won multiple super bowls and he was a part of that and experienced that first hand, so you expect him to come in and incorporate what he knows, what he knows as a proven winner and use that as a defense. So, you can always say that some of the guys he had as far as personnel didn’t fit, but I know they’re trying to get those guys now and trying to get better on the defensive side and improve it.

You said earlier that it’s best for the New York Jets and it’s best for you that you are now with the New Orleans Saints, that it works out for both parties. Why in your mind is it best that you’re not a New York Jet anymore?

No, it’s not best that I’m not a Jet anymore, it’s best that we parted ways on good terms, meaning we didn’t have any friction. I know a lot of the media was trying to say that I wanted out. I didn’t want out, I was being proactive in the trade process, they said that they we’re looking to trade me, which is why I actually shopped around to see which teams would want me. It’s not that I necessarily didn’t want to be a Jet, because I’d love to be a Jet. Click here to continue reading...