New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says LB Jonathan Vilma will play major part in new season - NFL News
New Orleans Saints linebacker, Jonathan Vilma, is one of the players named in the National Football League’s (NFL) report which revealed the existence of the Saints defensive line’s bounty program but the franchise is still sticking in support of their defensive
line captain.
Saints general manager, Mickey Loomis, who will himself be suspended for six games for his failure to stop the bounty program, revealed on Saturday that Vilma remains one of the leaders of the team and he will play a major role in the new 2012-13 season.
The general manager in an interview with the Times-Picayune said.
"(Vilma) is still a big part of our team. A top player and leader for us,"
The Saints on Saturday, signed free agent Curtis Lofton with many thinking that the move was made to replace Vilma who is likely to face suspensions when the NFL announces punishments for the 22-27 players cited in the report as being involved in the illegal
scheme.
However, Loomis went on to deny all such rumours and said that Lofton is a player who can deliver in a variety of positions on defence.
"Curtis is a versatile, hard-working player that has displayed a knack for being around the football, and more importantly, making plays on the ball. He has the ability to play all three linebacker positions and we feel that he's just entering the prime
of his career. We think he can come to New Orleans and fit in well and provide us with a significant contribution to our defence."
Vilma was named in the report by name and was alleged to have offered $ 10,000 to any player who successfully knocked out the then Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre during the two teams’ 2009 National Football Conference (NFC) Championship game.
He is likely to be banned by the league when commissioner, Roger Goodell, will announce punishments for the players.
The league has already given severe punishments to the franchise with a fine of $ 500,000 plus suspending head coach Sean Payton for a year while both general manager Mickey Loomis and assistant coach Joe Vitt receiving suspensions of six days each.
The NFL is likely to announce punishments to the players in the coming days.
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