News for Jonathan Vilma - 2012 AFFL

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Wed Jun 18 201417:47Falcons not signing ILB Vilma at this time
The Falcons do not intend to sign free agent ILB Jonathan Vilma at this time.
Vilma worked out for Atlanta on Wednesday. It was merely a look-see for the Falcons. GM Thomas Dimitroff will continue to evaluate his roster and keep an eye on the open market. If the Falcons are going to sign Vilma, FOX Sports' Mike Garafolo reports it won't happen until down the line sometime around camp.
Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter
Wed Jun 18 201415:10Falcons working out FA ILB Jonathan Vilma
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Falcons are working out free agent ILB Jonathan Vilma on Wednesday.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Wed Jun 11 201420:49Report: ATL looking hard at veteran LB Vilma
A source tells NFL Network that the Falcons are "looking hard" at free agent LB Jonathan Vilma.
The Falcons are scraping the bottom of the barrel as they try to replace starting LB Sean Weatherspoon, who ruptured his Achilles' tendon on Tuesday. Vilma, 32, has battled serious knee issues since 2011 and been certifiably ineffective when he has suited up. Perhaps the Falcons view him as a mentor/backup for versatile rookie Prince Shembo. In addition to Vilma, GM Thomas Dimitroff is also looking at backup-caliber free agents Pat Angerer and Tim Dobbins. They're reportedly not interested in London Fletcher or James Harrison.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Sun Jun 1 201413:45Dolphins pass on Jonathan Vilma
The representation for free agent LB Jonathan Vilma recently reached out to the Dolphins, but the team "showed no interest."
Vilma is 32 now, and hasn't been an effective player in several seasons. The Fins were smart to pass. Vilma's left knee has been problematic since 2011, and ended his 2013 campaign after just one appearance with the Saints.
Source: Miami Herald
Tue May 27 201416:36Report: Jonathan Vilma 'healthy and ready'
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports free agent ILB Jonathan Vilma (knee) is "healthy and ready."
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Tue Feb 11 201420:53'Highly likely' Saints let ILB Vilma walk
Profootballtalk reports it's "highly likely" the Saints let ILB Jonathan Vilma walk.
Suspension and injury have limited Vilma to just 12 total games over the past two seasons. He made only one appearance in 2013 before landing on injured reserve. Two months shy of his 32nd birthday, Vilma has been playing through knee issues since 2011. Even if he can prove he's healthy, Vilma will have trouble tracking down guaranteed money on the open market. He won't be a starter in 2014.
Source: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com
Wed Nov 6 201316:58Saints place ILB Jonathan Vilma on IR
Saints placed ILB Jonathan Vilma (knee) on injured reserve, ending his season.
That was quick. Vilma, who was coming off a knee scope, was just activated off short-term IR ahead of Week 9. It appears that the joint didn't respond well to the activity. Now 31 years old, it's possible that the three-time Pro Bowler is at the end of the line. His left knee has been bothering him since the beginning of the 2011 season. Vilma was just going to be a part time 'backer anyway.
Source: Rotoworld.com
Sat Nov 2 201316:14Saints activate Jonathan Vilma from I.R.
Saints activated ILB Jonathan Vilma (knee) from injured reserve/designated for return.
Vilma has been practicing the last two weeks and isn't listed on the Saints injury report. He'll likely be limited to a part-time role with David Hawthorne if active for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Mon Oct 21 201317:49Jonathan Vilma returns to practice Monday
Saints ILB Jonathan Vilma (knee) returned to practice on Monday.
Vilma is on the injured reserve/designated for return list, and not eligible to be activated before Week 9. Practicing is a step in the right direction.
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter
Tue Sep 3 201317:03Saints stashing Jon Vilma on short-term IR
Saints placed ILB Jonathan Vilma (knee) on injured reserve/designated to return.
Vilma is eligible to return in Week 9 against his former team, the Jets. He's recovering from a mid-August knee scope. It would have been much bigger news two years ago, as Vilma's play has slipped while he's a poor fit for new DC Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme. Vilma could return to a part-time role.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Mon Sep 2 201309:51Saints ILB Vilma to miss multiple weeks
Saints ILB Jonathan Vilma (knee) is expected to miss multiple games.
Vilma appears to be having complications as he tries to come back from an Aug. 15 scope. He also had multiple knee surgeries in 2011 and 2012. The Saints will once again be thin at linebacker as David Hawthorne is forced into the starting lineup next to Curtis Lofton. Beat writer Larry Holder suggests injured reserve is a possibility for Vilma.
Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter
Sun Sep 1 201311:57'Pretty doubtful' Vilma (knee) plays Week 1
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports it's "pretty doubtful" Saints ILB Jonathan Vilma (knee) will be ready for Week 1.
Vilma had his knee scoped August 15. There have been mixed reports the last couple of days on his potential availability for the opener versus the Falcons. More than likely, David Hawthorne will start next to Curtis Lofton. The Saints defense isn't going to be on the fantasy radar at any point this season.
Source: NFL.com
Sat Aug 31 201314:37Jonathan Vilma still in doubt for Week 1
Saints ILB Jonathan Vilma remains questionable for Week 1.
Vilma underwent a knee scope on Aug. 15 to relieve swelling and discomfort. If he can't go, David Hawthorne will start next to Curtis Lofton against the Falcons. Either way, the Saints' defense is going to struggle to get stops.
Source: Baton Rouge Advocate
Thu Aug 15 201310:52Jonathan Vilma (knee) out rest of preseason
Saints ILB Jonathan Vilma is undergoing knee surgery Thursday and is out for the rest of the preseason.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Fri Jul 26 201309:46Vilma says he's just now finally healthy
Jonathan Vilma says he's in the "best shape of his life."
Vilma has underwent multiple knee surgeries the last two seasons, but claims to be fully healthy entering training camp and is expected to start at weak-side linebacker in Rob Ryan's 3-4 defense. "Physically, I'm very good, a lot better," Vilma said. "I just needed a little time (to rehab) that I didn't get last year because of everything that was going on."
Source: Biloxi Sun Herald
Fri Jun 14 201316:33Vilma, Lofton practicing as starting ILBs
Jonathan Vilma and Curtis Lofton worked as the Saints' starting inside linebackers throughout OTAs and minicamp.
Vilma is playing the weak-inside position, while Lofton is the strong-side inside linebacker or "Mike." David Hawthorne doesn't appear to be pushing Vilma, who is superior in terms of both range and coverage. Lofton led the Saints in tackles (123) last season and figures to do so again this year.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
Thu May 2 201310:48Jonathan Vilma the frontrunner for ILB job?
The Times-Picayune says Jonathan Vilma "seems to be" the front-runner for the second starting inside linebacker job.
We'll see. Vilma is in his decline phase at age 31 and is really wearing down against the run. He'll have to hold off a strong challenge from David Hawthorne in camp. Vilma may be best-suited to fill a nickel role at this point in his career.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
Wed Mar 13 201303:03Jonathan Vilma takes $3.7M pay cut
Saints LB Jonathan Vilma took a $3.7 million pay cut to stay in New Orleans.
He sliced his salary from $4.8 million all the way down to $1 million. Vilma did have his offseason workout bonus increased from $100,000 to $200,000, but this was a pretty large pay cut. Vilma's salary cap number has been reduced from $8.633 million to $3.833 million. Though a poor run defender at age 31, Vilma remains decent in pass coverage. He'll likely be a nickel 'backer in 2013.
Source: ESPN.com
Wed Feb 27 201318:05Vilma, Will Smith given chance to stay
CBS reports the Saints have offered LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Will Smith "lesser deals to stay."
Neither Vilma ($5.9 million) nor Smith ($10 million) had a prayer of remaining at their currently scheduled salaries, but it's interesting the Saints are giving them a chance to stay at all. Both players are on the wrong side of 30, and poor fits for the Saints' new 3-4 defense. There's still a good chance each moves on.
Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter
Mon Feb 18 201309:16Report: Vilma/Smith asked to take pay cuts
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Saints will ask LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Will Smith to take pay-cuts.
We doubt they ask nicely. The New Orleans Times-Picayune recently guessed Vilma would have to take a "drastic" pay cut, while Smith's fit in Rob Ryan's new 3-4 defense is unclear. It's possible both players will simply end up being released. A player in decline, Vilma may not even want to make the switch to a 3-4 scheme.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
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