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Time
Story
Vilma will be QB of defense: onathan Vilma needed one season in New Orleans to resurrect his career. Coming back from major knee surgery, he played every defensive snap at middle linebacker in 2008, leading the team with 151 tackles to go with two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a game-sealing interception. Vilma understands he'll be challenged to top those numbers in his second season with the Saints, but said he's trying not to worry about his own statistics. His play-making ability is no longer in question at this point. What the Saints need him to do now is become the "quarterback" of a defensive unit that struggled last season, even while Vilma thrived individually. "The personal goals, I try not to really worry about," Vilma said after a recent practice. "It's really about the team goals and trying to be a better leader, trying to be a better communicator, trying to make sure that the defense is in the top tier and people start mentioning the Saints defense - and doing things bigger than just myself." (Updated 08/17/2009).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 11/10/09).
Fantasy Analysis
Vilma is a tackling machine, but with a history of injuries in his past and present. There's obviously some risk in taking him. If you play it safe and consider him a No. 2 Fantasy LB, you'll be doing all right. (Updated 08/17/2009).
Drew Brees had 308 yards passing, Pierre Thomas scored two touchdowns and Jabari Greer returned an interception for a score to help the Saints improve to 7-0 with a 35-27 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. Only the 1991 Saints began a season with as many wins.
Down big late in the first half, the Saints go for a touchdown instead of a field goal. It works and the gutsy move catapults undefeated New Orleans to an impressive 46-34 comeback victory, Craig Barnes says.
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco was fined $10,000 by the NFL on Friday for a uniform violation. He was wearing the wrong colored chin strap (black) last weekend.
With veteran leadership, a confident defense and effective running game,
the Saints are the NFL's top team -- and we haven't even mentioned their
vaunted passing attack, Charley Casserly says.
