Jon Vilma is the Drew Brees of the Saints defense

I had to ask Saints DE Will Smith, guest No. 16 of 17 on our Sirius NFL Radio show from Saints camp, if he was reading from a script when he became the fourth player to say, "Jon Vilma is the Drew Brees of this defense."

Smith got serious after the indoors afternoon practice and pointed across the field. Sure enough, there was Vilma working with two young linebackers on the jugs machine catching balls, similiar to the scene of Brees tossing the pigskins to Lance Moore after the morning session.

It went noted that Smith and fellow longtime Saints defensive end Charles Grant were two of the four players who named Vilma as the leader. For a defense that has sorely lacked teeth and consistency, Vilma is the perfect extension of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams on the field.

Vilma is thrilled to be in New Orleans. Vilma tells us that unlike last year, a season where he played great en route to earning a long-term deal with the Saints, he doesn't even think about his health, which cut short his 2007 season in New York with the Jets. Vilma doesn't get enough credit for being a star. His growth was stunted in New York when Eric Mangini miscast him as a 3-4 linebacker. And then he got hurt.

Williams' aggressive nature, mirroring that of Payton as an offensive play-caller, will make a huge difference. GM Mickey Loomis beefed up the talent in the defensive backfield.

But it will be Vilma's play and leadership that will make all the difference.


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(foxsports.com)