So you are saying OLB are bigger and more physical than inside linebackers in 3-4 defense? Vilma is too small for 3-4 inside linebacker....
Hawthorne 6' 245
Vilma 6'1 230
Outside linebacker in 3-4 plays D gap responsibility or 7 tech/9 tech with mostly contain /pass rush/coverage responsibility....ILBs play over guards and have to be more physical taking on run more often or dropping straight back into underneath middle zones...you tell me if Vilma fits this role better than Hawthorne or Lofton? Vilma is more of a sideline to sideline LB who is no longer very effective taking on run blockers and seemed to be out of position playing MLB in 4-3 lately. In today's 3-4 defenses I agree OLBs are getting bigger and faster but the ILB-especially SILB need to also be big and physical...maybe Vilma can play WILB but IMO I think he is more of a 4-3 OLB now even though he has played inside linebacker or MLB his entire career...he is kind of a tweener for 3-4 defense.