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Newsday
Bob Glauber
FOOTBALL
Hurricane a blowhard? Vilma has Super vision
Vilma has Super vision
July 21, 2005
The quarterback is coming off shoulder surgery. The franchise running back is 32 years old. The defense lost one of its best run-stuffers to free agency.
The best pass rusher might not show up for weeks because of a contract dispute.
Jonathan Vilma, the former Miami Hurricanes star, couldn't care less about the potential problems that lie ahead for the Jets. The second-year linebacker feels so good about his team that he's already thinking big. As in Detroit in February big.
"I'm thinking about the Super Bowl," Vilma told Newsday from Los Angeles, where he was filming a commercial for, appropriately enough, the NFL's celebration of 40 years of Super Bowls, the "Road to 40."
Yes, Vilma believes the Jets have every right to be in Super Bowl XL.
"I think anything less would be a disappointment," said Vilma, who will appear along with several current star linebackers, as well as Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen, during the 30-second spot that will air during the regular season. "Coming off last year, we've got a very good group coming back. We're hungry. We're just a couple of points away from getting over the hump."
You mean, as in a couple of points away from beating the Steelers in the AFC playoffs, when the deposed Doug Brien's two missed field goals were all that stood between the Jets and a shot at the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game? You bet that's what he means.
"I've got a real good feeling from the players," Vilma said. "I'm anxious. I can't wait."
Vilma is reminded that such talk will invariably draw attention, often to the point of bulletin-board distraction. He reminds us he doesn't give a hoot. We'll see if he changes his thinking if Herman Edwards gives a hoot.
"That's the pressure I want to put on myself and on my team," Vilma said. "I want to back it up. I've got to play at the level that I can't afford to make mistakes. Making mistakes and letting games slip away isn't good enough. I don't think we're going to do that this year."
Vilma's bravado is refreshing, if not a tad reckless. After all, you don't often hear players talk so openly about winning it all, and when you do, chances are they end up watching the Super Bowl on television.
We have never heard Bill Belichick or one of his players talk openly of winning Super Bowls. Ever. Only after the fact, even though they won three of the last four.
Vilma is right about this, though: The Jets are absolutely in the mix of playoff contenders, and it's not ridiculous to think they will at least challenge the Pats.
But the reality check says this: Chad Pennington is coming off rotator-cuff surgery. Curtis Martin is entering his 11th year, even after his career-best season in 2004. Jason Ferguson no longer anchors the defensive front. Pass-rushing wiz John Abraham might not report for weeks because of stalled negotiations.
The Jets can be a very good team, maybe even good enough to get to the AFC title game, Vilma, a terrific player with a little Ray Lewis in him, anchors a defense that comes off a terrific year under coordinator Donnie Henderson, who leads with a swagger. If Pennington's shoulder holds up - the X-factor to the season - the offense can be dynamic under new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who will unshackle the passing game after years of conservatism under Paul Hackett.
It's a good enough mix for Vilma to start thumping his chest. Even if he's better served by keeping a low profile.
But at least Vilma has the good sense not to talk big in front of Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest, who was also in L.A. to film the commercial. "I have nothing to say [to McGinest]. We lost twice against him last year," Vilma said. "I'm trying to stay away from him so he doesn't bust me."
But Vilma isn't shy about telling the guys in New York how he feels.
"My teammates and coaches know how I am," Vilma said. "They know I'm very intense, very passionate about what I do. I came from a program where I lost four games in four years. I'd like to get back to that level again."
To get there, though, the Jets will have to beat the Patriots. Are they ready? Vilma sure thinks so.
For my money, not yet.
_________________________________________________________
Great example of the cyncial, hateful NY press - shooting down the Defensive Rookie of the Year because he's going into training camp thinking Super Bowl
Bob Glauber
FOOTBALL
Hurricane a blowhard? Vilma has Super vision
Vilma has Super vision
July 21, 2005
The quarterback is coming off shoulder surgery. The franchise running back is 32 years old. The defense lost one of its best run-stuffers to free agency.
The best pass rusher might not show up for weeks because of a contract dispute.
Jonathan Vilma, the former Miami Hurricanes star, couldn't care less about the potential problems that lie ahead for the Jets. The second-year linebacker feels so good about his team that he's already thinking big. As in Detroit in February big.
"I'm thinking about the Super Bowl," Vilma told Newsday from Los Angeles, where he was filming a commercial for, appropriately enough, the NFL's celebration of 40 years of Super Bowls, the "Road to 40."
Yes, Vilma believes the Jets have every right to be in Super Bowl XL.
"I think anything less would be a disappointment," said Vilma, who will appear along with several current star linebackers, as well as Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen, during the 30-second spot that will air during the regular season. "Coming off last year, we've got a very good group coming back. We're hungry. We're just a couple of points away from getting over the hump."
You mean, as in a couple of points away from beating the Steelers in the AFC playoffs, when the deposed Doug Brien's two missed field goals were all that stood between the Jets and a shot at the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game? You bet that's what he means.
"I've got a real good feeling from the players," Vilma said. "I'm anxious. I can't wait."
Vilma is reminded that such talk will invariably draw attention, often to the point of bulletin-board distraction. He reminds us he doesn't give a hoot. We'll see if he changes his thinking if Herman Edwards gives a hoot.
"That's the pressure I want to put on myself and on my team," Vilma said. "I want to back it up. I've got to play at the level that I can't afford to make mistakes. Making mistakes and letting games slip away isn't good enough. I don't think we're going to do that this year."
Vilma's bravado is refreshing, if not a tad reckless. After all, you don't often hear players talk so openly about winning it all, and when you do, chances are they end up watching the Super Bowl on television.
We have never heard Bill Belichick or one of his players talk openly of winning Super Bowls. Ever. Only after the fact, even though they won three of the last four.
Vilma is right about this, though: The Jets are absolutely in the mix of playoff contenders, and it's not ridiculous to think they will at least challenge the Pats.
But the reality check says this: Chad Pennington is coming off rotator-cuff surgery. Curtis Martin is entering his 11th year, even after his career-best season in 2004. Jason Ferguson no longer anchors the defensive front. Pass-rushing wiz John Abraham might not report for weeks because of stalled negotiations.
The Jets can be a very good team, maybe even good enough to get to the AFC title game, Vilma, a terrific player with a little Ray Lewis in him, anchors a defense that comes off a terrific year under coordinator Donnie Henderson, who leads with a swagger. If Pennington's shoulder holds up - the X-factor to the season - the offense can be dynamic under new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who will unshackle the passing game after years of conservatism under Paul Hackett.
It's a good enough mix for Vilma to start thumping his chest. Even if he's better served by keeping a low profile.
But at least Vilma has the good sense not to talk big in front of Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest, who was also in L.A. to film the commercial. "I have nothing to say [to McGinest]. We lost twice against him last year," Vilma said. "I'm trying to stay away from him so he doesn't bust me."
But Vilma isn't shy about telling the guys in New York how he feels.
"My teammates and coaches know how I am," Vilma said. "They know I'm very intense, very passionate about what I do. I came from a program where I lost four games in four years. I'd like to get back to that level again."
To get there, though, the Jets will have to beat the Patriots. Are they ready? Vilma sure thinks so.
For my money, not yet.
_________________________________________________________
Great example of the cyncial, hateful NY press - shooting down the Defensive Rookie of the Year because he's going into training camp thinking Super Bowl