Vilma sent to the Saints?

[.s31t]

Jonathan Vilma could be a member of the New Orleans Saints today, according to published reports.

The New York Jets were set to trade Vilma, a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, to the Saints for a conditional draft pick. The teams were negotiating terms of the deal late Thursday.


An inside linebacker, Vilma played seven games last season before being felled by a knee injury.

Vilma was in New Orleans on Monday to take a physical, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported in Friday's edition.

Newsday, citing league sources, reported on its website early Friday that the Vilma deal could be completed and announced as early as this morning, on the first day of the NFL's offseason free-agent period. The paper reported the pick may come from the 2009 draft and be tied to Vilma's performance in 2008.

Vilma was on the road to stardom in his first two seasons after being the 12th overall pick in the 2004 draft out of Miami (Fla.). He fell out of favor when Eric Mangini took over as coach in 2006 and installed a 3-4 defense; Vilma is better suited to playing in the middle of a 4-3 scheme.

With Vilma on the sideline, rookie David Harris proved ready to replace him.

Vilma had surgery in November. He says he is weeks away from running at full speed.

The Jets gave Vilma permission to seek a trade, and he was in Indianapolis during the NFL Combine to meet with potential suitors. The New York Post reported Vilma met with Detroit Lions officials on Wednesday. It was believed the Lions would offer defensive tackle Shaun Rogers in exchange.

Newsday also reported that the Jets are "very close" to acquiring defensive tackle Kris Jenkins from the Carolina Panthers, perhaps in exchange for what the Jets get from the Saints for Vilma.

Carolina has been trying to trade Jenkins for almost a year, and the Charlotte Observer reported Thursday that the team is eager to deal the veteran lineman before he becomes eligible for a $1 million roster bonus next week.

Jenkins (6-4, 335 pounds) likely would replace Dewayne Robertson as the Jets' nose tackle. The Jets reportedly are trying to deal Robertson, who is undersized (6-1, 310) at the position.

 

[Gtown81]

I don't see why the Jets would ever do this

 

[GameOver]

trade is now complete its a4th round pick might become a 3rd pending on how he plays

damn man the jets are stupid you give up a line backer who had an off year due to injurys but is good line backer other then that ilike this pick up for the saints they needed a good lb .

 

[.GR]

They did this because if they didnt Vilma was going to walk after this season.

 

[Gtown81]

they could at least get more than that

 

[.GR]

Well apparently they are using what they get to get DT Kris Jenkins...

 

[Grandy28]

Vilma has a pretty serious knee injury. They were trying to get what they could for him. Detroit was interested in him, but the Jets wouldn't reveal how serious the injury really is.