New Orleans Saints’ Middle Linebacker Jonathan Vilma And Defensive End Will Smith Suspended; How This Will Affect The New Orleans Saints On The Field

Published: 4^th May 12 5:44 pm

by Alejandro Aviles
Alejandro Aviles

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Matt Stamey-US PRESSWIRE

It was announced yesterday that 4 NFL players were suspended for their part in the bounty program that was going on in New Orleans. Anthony Hargrove, Scott Fujita, Will Smith, and Jonathan Vilma will all serve suspensions this season. Smith and Vilma are the two players that are currently with the New Orleans Saints; Hargrove is with the Green Bay Packers and Fujita is with the Cleveland Browns. Hargrove will miss 8 games and Fujita will miss 3 games. The Saints will lose Smith for the first 4 games this season but will lose Vilma for the entire 2012 NFL season, a tough penalty given to the middle linebacker. Now that the Saints will be without two of their best defenders for a good portion of next season how will they fare?

I think the Saints will not miss a beat losing Vilma and Smith; they were prepared for this and have had a busy offseason with all of the signings they did. Specifically, the Saints have bolstered their linebacker corps and new addition, Curtis Lofton, should be more than capable to come in and replace Vilma with no problem.

Furthermore, Vilma’s production was not the best last season as he only had 54 tackles with no sacks in 11 games. Lofton on the other hand looks to be entering his prime as he posted 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 147 tackles last season with the Atlanta Falcons; Lofton led the Falcons in tackles last season and played every game.

It is a great opportunity for Lofton and the Saints’ defense to prove that they can have a respectable defense. Also, with new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in the mix the defense gets a fresh start and I would expect the Saints’ defense to improve this year.

Losing Smith for 4 games should not be that difficult for the Saints to overcome. Last season Smith posted 35 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles; while the Saints will certainly miss that production they have to remember that Smith is only missing a fourth of the season. Furthermore, it will give their young defensive end, Junior Galette, an opportunity to start and develop.

Last season Galette played in every game and totaled 19 tackles with 4.5 sacks; those numbers are very good for a back up. I would look for Galette to continue his growth if he gets the opportunity to start in place of the suspended Smith.

While I feel the suspensions were definitely warranted I do not think they will hurt the Saints too much on the field. The Saints made smart moves in the offseason and have brought in players that will make their defense very deep.

If the Saints’ defense can prosper under Spagnuolo and that is coupled with their dynamic offense I think the Saints will have a good season and really make an honest run at another Super Bowl.

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