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Vilma not a Lion
Jon Vilma will not be the Lions' next middle linebacker, his agent Tony Fleming said Thursday night.
Vilma, who passed a physical with the Lions Wednesday, is expected to be dealt elsewhere once the trading period opens at midnight.
"It doesn't look like that's going to be the destination," Fleming said. "There's just more than one team interested so whoever (the Jets) can work out compensation with is going to be where he goes. Not the Lions."
Fleming said Vilma, a former first-round pick who had knee surgery in November, had "a great visit with the Lions."
"He had some really good conversations with the head coach, he had some really good conversations with the linebackers coach. Really good meetings with them," Fleming said. "He really was impressed and thought it would be a good place to play. I think his perception of the organization before he met there and after were two totally different things."
The Lions are still looking to acquire one linebacker through a trade or free agency. Boss Bailey, who started at strong-side linebacker last year, and reserve middle linebacker Teddy Lehman are free agents and unlikely to return.
The Jets may still be in play to acquire defensive tackle Shaun Rogers via trade. Rogers could be dealt as soon as today.
posted by Paula Pasche at
9:56 PM
3 Comments:
Mike and Mike are reporting it's a conditional 4th Rd pick for Vilma. Given the way the Lions draft, essentially, AJ Davis for Vilma. Nah, Lions wouldn't do that deal.
That seems like a small price to pay for a potential starter at MLB if you're the Lions, but I was told last week - before the physical - the team was concerned not only about Vilma's knee but also his future as a middle linebacker. Still, if you expect to get a draft pick of some sort in return for Rogers, I think you take the chance on a fourth-rounder for Vilma. Just a hunch, but I wonder if the hold-up is the Lions may part ways with that fourth to move up rounds (either in the Rogers deal or later on).
If the Lions are concerned about Vilma at MLB, why not have him play on the side opposite Ernie Sims? Furthermore, for it to be a conditional pick based on playing time, it would have to be a 2009 Fourth Rd draft pick.
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