StillerPaul Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 I was reading through my Pittsburgh site and found this article. Figured i'd share it with you guys. I haven't seen it posted here yet. http://www.forecaster.info/post-gazette/football/news.cgi?ontherise In Line For Greatness! Ray Lewis. Zach Thomas. London Fletcher. Jonathan Vilma. Jonathan Vilma? Much like the age-old Sesame Street game, at first glance Vilma certainly seems to be the odd man out in the above game of 'One of These Things Is Not Like The Others.' At just 23 years old it's not quite yet time to start naming him amongst the NFL's elite linebackers... is it? Actually, it is. While the NFL has it's yearly share of flashes in the pan, Vilma is the real deal. Heading into Week 15, he leads the NFL is both solo tackles (105) and total tackles (143). He is emerging as the heart and soul of an underrated New York Jets defense. Pretty heady stuff for a guy who's only 23 years old, but for Vilma, not all that surprising. When the Jets tabbed Vilma with their first pick of the 2004 draft (12th overall) they expected him to be good. He was coming off three All-Big East selections as the top tackler for the Miami Hurricanes and was highly touted. What they didn't expect was for him to be so good so fast. As a rookie he didn't start on right away, but an injury to top linebacker Sam Cowart pressed Vilma into the opening lineup. By the time Cowart healed up later on that season, Vilma was so good the Jets couldn't put Vilma back on the bench. So good that the team moved Pro Bowler Cowart in the off-season. That fine 2004 season earned Vilma the honor of being named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year. He finished his inaugural NFL campaign with 105 total tackles and 80 solos, among the league's top 30 in both categories. The Jets knew they had a special player on their hands; but they didn't know that he would be so much better in just his second full season. What makes Vilma so good? The same things that make all elite NFL players so good: A rare mix of smarts, intensity, and superior athleticism. Vilma makes excellent decisions on the field then never gives up on the play, hunting the ball down and flattening its carrier. His jarring hits often have the effect of unlodging the ball from opponents clutches, and Vilma has forced four fumbles so far this season. Like Lewis, Thomas, and Fletcher, Jonathan Vilma is an 'old school' linebacker--a guy who reads the play, makes the play, and finishes the play with incredible consistency. In fact, at this point the only major thing that makes him Not Like the Others is that at 23, he should be doing it long after those other warriors retire. MEMORABLE MOMENT: With his beleaguered team riding a seven-game losing skid heading into Week 14, Vilma stepped up and led them to victory. Vilma led his team in tackles with 10 and shut down star Oakland running back LaMont Jordan, holding him to 49 yards on the day and no scores to help the Jets beat the Raiders 26-10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 What makes Vilma so good? The same things that make all elite NFL players so good: A rare mix of smarts, intensity, and superior athleticism. Vilma makes excellent decisions on the field then never gives up on the play, hunting the ball down and flattening its carrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 If their team plane crashed tomorrow and the NFL decided not to replace them or the organization? Would anyone even notice? Just thought I'd share that with you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatsFanTX Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Too bad all his tackles are 7 yards downfield. Vilma has yet to make a game changing play in two years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikeyman3 Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Too bad all his tackles are 7 yards downfield. Vilma has yet to make a game changing play in two years. He does not need to be a game changer. He just needs to play consistently which he has done. He has been the Jets best player along with Ben Graham. Is he Ray Lewis in his prime? No. But he is a damn good player. His INT for a TD vs the Rams last year was a "gamechanging" play. So was his INT vs. SF last year. I would rather have Vilma who is a sure tacler than any of the KC LB's who couldn't tackle to save their lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatsFanTX Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 I would rather have Vilma who is a sure tacler than any of the KC LB's who couldn't tackle to save their lives. OK, even I have to admit that Vilma is one of the best tackling LB's in the NFL. The guy just does not miss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 OK, even I have to admit that Vilma is one of the best tackling LB's in the NFL. The guy just does not miss. That's because he's the only player on that defense with drive, determination and most of all, BALLS. And if he doesn't make the stop, it's 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikeyman3 Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 OK, even I have to admit that Vilma is one of the best tackling LB's in the NFL. The guy just does not miss. I hate missed tackles, one of my pet peeves. Even from other teams players. It just shows lack of drive and effort. Vilma always bring it 100%. I cannnot say that about all the other Jets though. Vilma is a bright spot on this team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillerPaul Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 OK, even I have to admit that Vilma is one of the best tackling LB's in the NFL. The guy just does not miss. Yep. Great LBer to start building a solid defense around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Yep. Great LBer to start building a solid defense around. Build? Bradway and company couldn't build a fort with lincoln logs let along a pro football team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillerPaul Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Build? Bradway and company couldn't build a fort with lincoln logs let along a pro football team. Well at least they have a gem to work with. How's 'bout shipping him to the Steelers next year for a 3rd round pick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Well at least they have a gem to work with. How's 'bout shipping him to the Steelers next year for a 3rd round pick? A 3rd rounder? Are the Jets eyeing up a punter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillerPaul Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 You guys will get things turned around. I will say this though, after being around alot of you Jets fans for so long it really reminds me of Steelers fans pre-Cowher. Yea i sure bitch alot about not winning a trophy, but the guy has given us a ton of sucess and good times. Ya just need to catch a few breaks along the way too i guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Stiller this team is at a MINIMUM, 2 years away from remotely being in position to fight for the East. By then Buffalo will be turned around and Saban will have Miami playing tough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillerPaul Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Stiller this team is at a MINIMUM, 2 years away from remotely being in position to fight for the East. By then Buffalo will be turned around and Saban will have Miami playing tough. Ya know, i have that outlook as a fan too. I keep thinkin'..." Well, we keep wasting chance after chance of winning a ring. Within a couple years the rest of our div. will be dominant again". But we're in it every year still. The Jets have to quit relying on the stop gap type bandade players IMO and use the draft much more wisely. This is the perfect chance for them to re-build right. Expectations will be low next year, there will be no pressure on the FO to win immediately etc. I say, stockpile draft picks, invest in your O-line wisely and give them time to develop. As a Steelers fan, i've always been taught that the game is won and lost in the trenches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preston Howley III Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Too bad all his tackles are 7 yards downfield. Vilma has yet to make a game changing play in two years. It's a massive improvement over the days when Victor Green was leading the Jets in tackles every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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