Joe Vitt says New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Vilma will see more snaps

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been so desperate for more playing time that's he resorted to extreme measures: ask the media for help.

"So when you see (Saints interim coach and linebackers coach Joe) Vitt, tell him to play me," Vilma said a week ago. "Tell him to keep playing me. ... Tell him to take the pitch count off."

So Vitt was asked Thursday what Vilma needed to do to see more snaps against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

"He is going to see more snaps. With Jonathan Vilma, the biggest thing (challenge) I had as his position coach was protecting Jonathan Vilma against himself. He is a warrior. He wants to play every snap, he wants be in on every play and I saw it first-hand a year ago, what it did to him when he tried to play with that knee.

"He wound up having to get a surgery during the season and a major surgery during the offseason. He missed all of training camp so when he came back to play we were going to put him on a training camp rep count where he was going to get a certain amount every game. His reps are going to be up. We need him. He's getting better every day; his pad level, changing direction, it's fun to see."

Shortly after Vitt's response was reported on Twitter, Vilma responded via Twitter: "Yes!"

Vilma's snap count has been erratic during his first four games back with the Saints after coming off the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury, and of course dodging suspensions connected the Saints bounty scandal.

Vilma's total snaps in his first four games went as follows: Tampa Bay - 18; Denver - 68; Philadelphia - 24; Atlanta - 33.

Vilma has played weakside linebacker in the base defense, but has been replaced by Jonathan Casillas many times in nickel situations. Vitt said Vilma has been fully healthy for every game, but situations have dictated Vilma's snap count. Vitt added that he doesn't want to put too much on Vilma's plate that the Saints linebacker may not be ready for quite yet.

"He wants to play every down," Vitt said. "He wants to be with his teammates. He wants to make plays and he wants to help us win. There are some guys that want to play because they're selfish, they want more balls thrown their way and they want to up (increase) their contracts.

"Then, there are other guys that want to play because they want to be a part of their team, they want to be a part of something bigger than themselves and that's Jonathan Vilma. I don't think I have to explain to anybody my respect for this man, his body of work, (and) how important he is to this football team. Again, we've got to do it the right way. This is still a long season."


(nola.com)