Jonathan Vilma

Infobox NFLactive


name=Jonathan Vilma
|width=
caption=
currentteam=New Orleans Saints
currentnumber=51
currentposition=Linebacker
birthdate=birth date and age|1982|4|16
birthplace=Coral Gables, Florida
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=230
debutyear=2004
debutteam=New York Jets
college=University of Miami
draftyear=2004
draftround=1
draftpick=12
pastteams=
* New York Jets (2004-2007)
* New Orleans Saints (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2004)
* Pro Bowl selection (2005)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=432
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=2.5
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=6
nfl=VIL582180

Jonathan Polynice Vilma (born April 16 1982 in Coral Gables, Florida) is an American football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets 12th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.

High School Career

Vilma attended Coral Gables High School where he was a teammate of Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore. During his dominant reign in high school, Vilma was offered scholarships to the University of Miami, Florida State, Florida, Pittsburgh and Iowa. He eventually chose the University of Miami.

University of Miami

2000 season

In 2000, Vilma played in all 11 games as a reserve middle linebacker and compiled 38 tackles (29 solo) and a pass deflection

2001 season

After the Graduation of Dan Morgan, Vilma stepped up into the starting middle linebacker role and played an integral part of the Hurricanes' National Championship team. He led the team in tackles with 79 (54 solo) and compiled 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery (36-yard touchdown), 3 pass deflections and an interception. He started 11 of 12 games during the regular season and was selected on the First-Team All-Big East team. Many fans remember two of Vilma's hits in the Rose Bowl win over Nebraska.

2002 season

Vilma led the team in tackles with 133 (75 solo) with two big hits to seal the deal. and had two quarterback sacks, a forced fumble, recovered two fumbles, (returned one for a touchdown) and broke up five passes. He earned unanimous first-team All-Big East selection for the second time in his career and was semi-finalist for the Dick Butkus Award, along with teammate D.J. Williams.

2003 season

In his final year, Vilma led the team in tackles for a second time with 127 (81 solo), notched a sack, forced one fumble, and recovered three fumbles. Vilma ended the year as a finalist for the Butkus Award.

Along with his success on the field, Vilma was a three-time Academic All-Big East Conference. He received a degree in finance from the University of Miami's well-respected School of Business Administration.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

* 4.54 40 Yard Dash
* 37 Inch Vertical
* 23 Bench Reps
* 6.67 Three-Cone Drill
* 4.20 Short Shuttle
* 10-foot-1 Broad Jump

New York Jets

Vilma was drafted by the Jets with the 12th selection in the 2004 NFL Draft.

2004

In 2004, Vilma was named as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. During his rookie campaign, he recorded 108 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions, including one which was returned for his first NFL touchdown.

2005

In 2005, Vilma led the NFL in tackles with 173, forced four fumbles, notched one fumble recovery, half a sack, and one interception. Vilma also replaced Zach Thomas at the 2006 Pro Bowl.

2006

In 2006, Vilma put together another solid season. He compiled 114 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception.

2007

On October 27, 2007, Vilma was placed on injured reserve. He suffered a season ending knee injury during the New York Jets week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals [ [http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/624331,CST-SPT-nflnt28.article

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• If you are trying to reach a page from a bookmark, the page URL may have changed. Please ... ] ] . Vilma was diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in high school, a bone defect that can cause instability and loose particles in the joint, and this is a possible cause behind his season-ending injury in 2007. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/sports/football/14jets.html Jets’ Vilma Speaks, a Little, About His Knee and Surgery - New York Times ] ]

  New Orleans Saints

  On February 29, 2008 the Jets traded Vilma to the New Orleans Saints for a 4th round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and a conditional pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. [http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ny-spjets0229,0,4306016.story]

  Career statistics

  *"*NFL Leader" [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/statistics?year=2005]

  ponsorships

  * Vilma is a spokesman for Under Armour. Vilma is in Under Armour ads in magazines and he also appears in some of the Under Armour football commercials.
  * Vilma signed with WaterBank of America USA Inc. on February 1, 2006, as a spokesman for Icerocks, secured spring water ice cubes.

  References

  #cite web| title= Chicago Sun Times | url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/624331,CST-SPT-nflnt28.article | accessdate= 2007-10-28
  #cite web| title= NY Times | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/sports/football/14jets.html | accessdate= 2007-12-27

  External links

  * [http://www.jonvilma.com/ Jonathan Vilma Official Website]
  * [http://neworleanssaints.com/Team/Roster/People/Jonathan%20Vilma.aspx New Orleans Saints bio]
  * [http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/all_time/player/873-jonathan-vilma New York Jets bio]