New Orleans Saints Vilma ranks in on NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2012

Although New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma is in the middle of an appeal for his season long suspension, a civil lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and missed some playing time last season due to injury, he managed to be thought of highly by NFL players.

Well, maybe not as high as last year’s Top 100, but it was still good to see.  On tonight’s episode of NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2012, Vilma ranked in at #58.  A bit of a slip since in 2011 he was ranked at #37.

Of course as stated before, Vilma did miss some playing time due to a knee injury and a clean up procedure on that knee.  To still be ranked with so little playing time speaks volume of how the players think of him.

New England Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork spoke about Vilma and praised not only his physical ability and football intelligence, but also his commitment to his team.

Clips showed Vilma making tackles and screaming adjustments on plays like his famous, “Alert Rabbit!  Alert Rabbit!”  You could also hear Vilma firing his defense up with, “Who’s gonna make a play?  Who’s gonna make a play?”

A humorous side of Vilma could be seen as well.  While talking to the defensive linemen on the sidelines about a recent series, rookie defensive end Cameron Jordan had something hanging from his goatee.