Vilma’s work has been ‘positive’

May 22, 2008

Vilma’s work has been ‘positive’- NOLA.com

Payton plans to take his time with new LB
Thursday, May 22, 2008
By James Varney

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, andit could very well be a young player,” Payton said.

ELLIS LOOKING GOOD: Payton mentioned a few players who havestood out early, among them offensive tackle Jammal Brown,whom Payton said is coming off his most productive offseason
since being drafted out of Oklahoma four years ago.

The first rookie Payton cited was defensive tackleSedrick Ellis from Southern Cal. Ellis, listed at 6-1, 307, is reunited with Saints defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, who was at USC when the Trojans recruited Ellis.

Ellis has alternated with the first unit during seven-on-seven drills. He said things have gone relatively smooth as he adjusts to the professional level.

“I feel like it’s been going really well,” Ellis said. “I’ve got a couple of days in now with the older guys, and they kind of helped me along with some of the plays and stuff, and I feel like it’s coming along just fine.”

Ellis is not the only rookie who has impressed early. Payton also noted the play of wide receiver Adrian Arrington, a Michigan product the Saints picked up in the seventh round of the draft. Arrington, 6-3, 192 pounds, got open repeatedly and made several catches, some on third-down situations.

“He’s had a couple of good practices out there, and he’s made some plays out there today,” Payton said. “He’s learned quickly what to do, which is half the battle for a young receiver. He’s a big target and still has a ways to go. His transition has been pretty quick, and that’s been encouraging.” Like Ellis, Arrington said he feels as comfortable as could be expected and is looking forward to the upcoming minicamp.

“I’ve been feeling pretty good so far. A lot of things have been similar to what I ran at Michigan, so maybe I’ve caught on a little bit faster,” he said. “There’s a lot more speed out here, of course, but I feel right in the position where I should be.”

HO HUM ON OWNERS: Payton was noncommittal when asked about the unanimous move this week by NFL owners to shorten the league’s collective bargaining agreement with players. The players’ union has hinted a stalemate could lead to a lockout or strike after 2010, when the agreement will expire. It would be the first work stoppage in the NFL since 1987.

“They were pretty unified in this vote. I don’t know that it was a big surprise to anyone,” Payton said. Hollis Thomas, the Saints’ player representative, declined to predict what might happen. “It’s an unfortunate act, but they’ve taken a hard stance on what they feel is right,” he said. “That’s just a part of business. They’re the owners, we’re the players, and we’ve had a good deal on the table for the last couple of years. It will be interesting to see if it will hold.”

DEUCE TAKING IT SLOWLY: Running back Deuce McAllister did some walk-throughs Wednesday and has been involved in drills the first two days, he said. Recovering from his second knee
surgery, McAllister said he hopes to participate at minicamp next week and will be at full speed when the Saints open training camp this summer.

Having already endured one comeback, McAllister, 29, said he was unfortunately familiar with the process that unfolded for him at Dr. James Andrews’ rehab center in Birmingham, Ala. The knowledge gained in that process, however, tells him things are as good as can be expected
with the knee.

Payton said the Saints are trying to not rush McAllister’s return.

“Our goal is not to push it too hard,” the coach said. “He should be good to go for training
camp.”

McAllister was the biggest name among the Saints who did not work Wednesday because of injuries. The others were safety Josh Bullocks (knee), cornerback Aaron Glenn (ankle), defensive tackle DeMario Pressley (foot), tight end Eric Johnson (ankle), cornerback Mike McKenzie (knee), and Simoneau (hip).

Bullocks had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in January, but he expects to be healthy by training camp. MEACHEM DAZZLES: One player who appears healthy for the first time in a Saints uniform is receiver Robert Meachem.

After battling a knee injury for most of last season, the second-year pro looked healthy, fluid and comfortable running routes on the field.

Meachem has gotten rave reviews from Payton, General Manager Mickey Loomis and teammates throughout this offense, showing a great attitude and work ethic after a disappointing rookie season.

OBSERVATIONS: New backup quarterback Mark Brunell looked comfortable in the pocket and seems to be fitting in nicely. . . . With McKenzie out, the top three cornerbacks working with the first-team and nickel defenses were Jason David, Randall Gay and Usama Young. Veteran Jason Craft and rookie Tracy Porter worked with the second team.

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