New Orleans Saints
Jonathan Vilma - #51 - LB
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 6' 1"/ 230 lbs. |
| Birthday | 04/16/1982 |
| Birthplace | Coral Gables, FL |
| College | Miami (FL) |
| Years played | 10 |
| Drafted | 2004, 1st round, 12th pick by Jets |
2012 STATS
| Tack | FF | Int |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | 0 | 1 |
Saints WR Moore looking to bounce back
Word is Saints WR Lance Moore has impressed observers in training camp.
Saints' defense likely to decline
Fantasy owners should be wary of an overrated Saints defense, which is unlikely to come close to the 39 takeaways it produced last season.
Saints sign first-round pick Robinson
The Saints announced Friday that the club has agreed to terms with first-round pick Patrick Robinson, the team's first-round draft choice, on a five-year contract.
Saints agree to terms with Ramsey, Graham
The Saints announced they have agreed to terms with QB Patrick Ramsey and rookie TE Jimmy Graham.
NFC South training-camp reports
In the seventh chapter of our training-camp reports, we look at the NFC South teams, including a Panthers team led defensively by LB Jon Beason.
Fantasy owners should have PK strategy
Fantasy owners will concentrate their draft preparation on quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends, but reading up on kickers before your draft is wise, writes PFW's Mike Wilkening.
Saints re-sign McCray, sign Tennant
The Saints signed one of their draft picks Thursday and re-signed a player they recently cut.
Daniel, Ramsey expected to battle to back up Brees
Patrick Ramsey, who is expected to sign with the Saints, and second-year player Chase Daniel will compete to become Drew Brees' top backup in training camp.
Exclusive trenchmarks
Pro Football Weekly offers an exclusive breakdown of the top-rated teams in each division in terms of overall play in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Saints sign rookie DT Woods
The Saints have signed rookie DT Al Woods to a four-year contract, the team announced Thursday.
Saints RB Thomas waiting for new deal
With about three weeks to go until training camp, it appears Pierre Thomas would like more money than the Saints are willing to give.
Saints will have 'pitch count' for Sharper in training camp
Saints FS Darren Sharper could be limited for much of training camp as he returns from knee surgery.
Payton peels back curtain in new book
Just before the Saints officially turn the page on last season, head coach Sean Payton is releasing his first book. He discussed the memoir, and several other topics, with PFW on Monday.
WR Horn to retire with Saints
WR Joe Horn has signed a contract with the Saints and will retire, the team announced.
Saints’ Robinson could become top backup at corner
Saints rookie CB Patrick Robinson took reps with the second-team defense in OTAs.
PLAYER NEWS
People familiar with the situation say defensive end Will Smith and Vilma has agreed to restructure his contract in order to remain with the New Orleans Saints.|||||||
The 31-year-old Smith and 30-year-old Vilma, both veteran defensive captains who were implicated in the NFL's bounty probe, would have consumed about $23 million combined in salary cap space had they not agreed to new deals before the new league year - and free agency - began Tuesday afternoon.
Vilma has asked a federal judge to allow him to move forward with his defamation case against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.|||||||
In a motion filed Wednesday, Vilma drops his case against the NFL's disciplinary process, now that his suspension has been lifted. However, he continues to pursue damages from Goodell for harm he alleges was done to his reputation by the NFL's bounty probe of the New Orleans Saints. In an NFL appeal ruling Tuesday, former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue threw out suspensions for Vilma and three other current and former Saints in connection with the bounty investigation.
Saints defensive end Will Smith says he and linebacker Jonathan Vilma will be present Friday when their lawyers cross examine former New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams in Washington, D.C. Williams appears at a bounty hearing on Friday morning, according to a schedule set by Paul Tagliabue. The former NFL commissioner has been appointed to oversee the latest round of player appeals in the matter.|||||||
Smith and Vilma will leave Atlanta after Thursday night's game against the Falcons. They are among four players issued suspensions of various lengths in the league's probe of the Saints' cash-for-hits program. Smith and Vilma are playing while their appeals are pending. Williams and former Saints assistant Mike Cerullo were two of the NFL's central witnesses in the probe. Cerullo's appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
Vilma hopes to play a bigger role on the Saints' defense in his second game of the season Sunday against Denver. He said his knee, and his entire body, held up very well after the Tampa Bay game. He did not make a tackle but had one deflection and forced a near interception.|||||||
Playing for the first time while appealing his season-long suspension for his role in the New Orleans' bounty program, Vilma played 18 snaps last Sunday against Tampa Bay. Vilma declined Friday to talk about any bounty-related topics leading into his appeals hearing Tuesday with former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who will decide whether to uphold Roger Goodell's ruling.
Vilma played for the first time on Sunday while appealing a season-long suspension due to his role in the Saints' bounty program, recording one quarterback hit and breaking up one pass.|||||||
New Orleans still gave up a season-high 513 yards, but players said Vilma's return provided an emotional lift.
