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

Sep/10/06 09:28 AM Filed in: Jonathan Vilma
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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