Vilma and Morgan could transform Saints defense

The considerable lack of talent and playmaking ability at the linebacker position last year played a major role in the putridity of the Saints defense.  Fortunately, that issue has since been addressed.  Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan, if healthy, will immediately morph the Saints’ linebacking corps into a top-five unit. 

Scott Shanle and Mark Simoneau will provide depth should Morgan or Vilma go down.  That’s a good thing, I think.  Shale and Simoneau are better suited as backups anyway.  They’ve both got good instincts, but not necessarily the superior athleticism needed to be a starting linebacker in the NFL.    

Vilma and Morgan have both produced at a pro bowl level at one time or another in their career.  Vilma was 2004 Defensive Rookie of the Year and Morgan made 25 tackles in the 2004 Super Bowl.  So we know these guys can produce.  There’s no doubt about their ability.

The only question mark is their susceptibility to injury.  Can Vilma recover from the knee injury that sidelined him for nine games last season?  (By the way, I’d love for someone with any sort of medical knowledge explain to me what happened to his knee.  A piece of dead bone became dislodged?  What the hell does that mean?  I didn’t know bone could just die and then break off like some sort of rotten tree branch.  Has anyone ever heard of this injury?)

As for Morgan, will he be able to play with the reckless abandon that makes him so good now that he’s only a couple of concussions away from brain damage?

There’s really no way to tell for sure right now.  But one thing I do know for certain is that these guys are motivated.  They’re confident and probably cocky and most definitely eager to show the world they’ve still got it.  You know why?  Because they’re from the U and that’s what guys from the U do.

Another plus about the addition of Vilma and Morgan is that New Orleans isn’t really invested too deeply into either guy.  Morgan signed a one year contract for not that much money and Vilma was exchanged for a meager 4th round pick.  He’ll also be a free agent after next season.  So even if they don’t pan out, the Saints won’t have lost that much. 

So the linebacker position has been addressed.  I’d like to see the Saints pick up another LB in the draft for depth purposes.  A guy like Ali Highsmith out of LSU would fit the mold.  Highsmith was originally predicted to be a late first or early second round pick this year, until he ran a 5.0 forty at the combine.  He immediately dropped way down on everyone’s draft board, so the Saints might be able to nab him in the fourth or fifth round.

Either way, I feel pretty good about who’ll lining up at linebacker for New Orleans this season. 

(mvn.com)