Was the Payton Vilma talk just a smokescreen?
I still feel like we dont keep Vilma...now Payton wants Ryan to coach to the strengths on the players on the roster those current and future, but I think with Vilma, Loftona and Hawthorne I feel like that gives us the least athletic unit and keeps a talented player in Wilson off the field or only playing in packages. I think Hawthorne is better suited in the middle and we need to concentrate on getting more athletic at the OLB spots.
The Saints never really valued the linebacker postion which is why they signed a guy who was more of a jack of all trades in Hawthorne who can play all three positions but is a more of a thumper than side line to side line player at 6'0 246lbs. J.Vilma will probably be healthy come Training camp but I dont think his impact is worth us tailering it hide the fact he wont take on blocks very well in a 3-4 and offenses will find a way to take advantage of that in the run game no matter if we run an Under front..we have two down hill run defenders in Lofton and Hawthorne.