By Tom Rock
As expected, the Jets placed Jonathan Vilma on IR and he will have surgery on a knee injury that sidelined him sporadically last Sunday and kept him from practice all this week. The initial tests suggested that Vilma would need surgery, but the player wanted a second opinion and the resulting prognosis was likely similar, although no decisions have been made. Vilma has never missed a game in his career and has started every game since his third game as a rookie in 2004.
Here are some quotes passed out by the Jets.
From Vilma: “I am disappointed that my season ended prematurely. I was looking forward to playing the rest of the season and helping the team get back on track. I now look forward to supporting my teammates for the rest of the 2007 season and returning to the field with them in 2008.”
From Mitch Frankel, Vilma’s agent: “The Jets have been very supportive of Jonathan throughout this process and have been focused on his best interests. This is a not a career-threatening injury and the doctors expect a full recovery. He is a competitor and wants to be on the field with his teammates all the time, whether it be the meeting room, on the practice field, or in the game. He is looking forward to returning to the field with the Jets in 2008.”
From Mangini: “Jonathan is a leader and has always done everything he can to help this team win. He’s diligent in his preparation and has always unselfishly taken the time to share his knowledge of the game with his teammates. I know that he will approach this challenge with that same type of effort and focus.”
From Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum: “After reviewing all of the information available, the best thing for Jonathan and the Jets is to place him on injured reserve and turn his focus to rehabilitation and the 2008 season. Jonathan has been a leader on this team since we drafted him in 2004. He is as tough as they come and a student of the game who devotes a tremendous amount of time toward preparation and maximizing his ability.”
Comments (9)
Question? Then why did Vilma say last week that the reason he didn't play the 2nd half was a "coach's decision." Anyone? Just to be disrespectful? Doesn't say much for him...
Well for all those stomping the desk saying we should trade Vilma, he's not good in the 3-4, he's lost.. etc.. etc..
You're about to find out how much worse our defense is without him.
Bills over Jets... 24-10. 150yds on the ground.
How can it be worse? They're #32 in the league WITH him.
Didn't Vilma say he was fine and the decision to take him out of the last game was a coaching decision?!?
Who knows with Mangini anymore.
Trade Vilma in the offseason if we'lre still sticking with this ridiculous 3-4 defense. Hey, Mangini, we have 4-3 players. Play to their strengths!!!
And no more Pennington. Can't take another game of this guy boring me to sleep. Put in Kellen already!!!
What is the actual injury? Why won't anyone say?
JIMMY WE'RE 27TH AGAINST THE RUN AND 28TH IN TOTAL DEFENSE, BUT I GET YOUR POINT, 28TH, 32ND WHAT THE HELL IS THE DIFFERENCE. HE WILL NOT BE MISSED. REPLACE ALL THOSE SORRY OVER PAID LOSERS!!
Once again, we blame 1 guy for the stupidity of the Coach.
Vilma is a great player... in the right system. He's not built for a 3-4 defense, he's never played in one in U of M, and certainly not until Manidiot ignored the world and used it here.
In Uncle Herm's Defense, he was damn good... as he will be on another team that has a 4-3... then you'll all bitch that we gave him up... why didn't he play like that here... etc.
We have a Coach that is obviously in over his head, and is trying his best to keep from looking lost by sticking to his decisions, even if they are totally wrong.
payback's a bitch from spygate
I am very disappointed in Eric Mangini's decision to bench Chad Pennington. In my opionion, this is a poor call. Man, I knew early on this season that the Jets had no offensive line and no defensive pass rush at all. Games cannot be won under such conditions. To bench one of the best QB's in the league is not the answer to the Jet's problems. The offensive line as well as the defensive line is horrible. The are several college teams that are better equipped in these areas. Man, leave Pennington alone. Last year I thought Manginni was smarter than that. He is making a bad mistake.
Gary Lowery