Vilma's work has been 'positive'

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has looked very good this week as the team goes through its organized drills, according to several people with the team. But Coach Sean Payton noted they are bringing the newcomer along slowly after knee surgery.

Vilma, the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004, was acquired from the New York Jets in a trade for a fourth-round draft pick this year and either a second- or third-round pick next year, depending on Vilma's performance.

On Wednesday, the 6-foot-1, 230-pounder looked solid in third-down and nickel drills, working mostly with the second unit. Vilma had a bone chip removed from his knee last year and missed seven games.

"He's participating in half a practice, seven-on-seven drills, and it's been very good," Payton said. "It's been real positive so far."

The Saints hope Vilma, 26, will prove to be the kind of inside playmaker the defense can build around for years to come.

Vilma said the scheme he's mastering with the Saints is similar to that run by the Jets in his first two years in the league. Vilma said he feels ready to go full speed full time, but that would be ahead of schedule. The limited action to date is the result of an agreement he reached with Payton.

"It's been exciting, to come from rehab and the surgery and get to this point," Vilma said. "We're being cautious, of course, that's to be expected, but it looks pretty good at this point."

Vilma is a welcome addition because the Saints find themselves thin at linebacker. The retirement of Dan Morgan earlier this week leaves the team with just eight at that position. And that number, which includes two free-agent rookies, has been trimmed further with a hip injury that has kept Mark Simoneau out of practice.

Payton said the team will bolster that spot soon, predicting it would acquire a player.

He said he didn't necessarily think that would be an experienced veteran.

"I think that the key is finding the right guy, and it could very well be a young player," Payton said.

(nola.com)