Man in the middle

• By LES EAST
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Sep 20, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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METAIRIE — Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma has played exactly two regular-season games in the New Orleans Saints’ defense and yet he has already become the centerpiece of it.

With injuries sidelining players in front of him (tackles Hollis Thomas, who was released after an injury settlement was reached, and Antawn Lake), behind him (defensive backs Mike McKenzie, Randall Gay, Usama Young, Roman Harper, and Aaron Glenn), and next to him (strongside linebacker Scott Fujita). Vilma has led the team in tackles in each of the first two games.

He had seven solo tackles and two assists in the victory against Tampa Bay two weeks ago and 12 solo tackles and five assists in the loss at Washington last week.

Those 17 tackles against Washington were the most for a Saints defender since Dec. 28, 2003, when safety Jay Bellamy made 18 tackles in a victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Though Vilma was limited in training camp and the preseason as he worked his way back from knee surgery last season, he has been an ironman thus far. He’s hardly missed a snap as he stays on the field even in likely passing situations.

“I like it that way,” Vilma said. “I don’t want to come out.”

Vilma is responsible for the defensive play calls and making sure everyone, especially the replacements, is lined up properly.

“I don’t think that’s a big issue,” Vilma said, “because the guys that are coming in for the guys who are hurt, they’ve been around for mini-camp and OTAs so they know how to line up and they’ve been doing a good job of that.”

Coach Sean Payton doesn’t like taking out Vilma, a former Pro Bowler for whom New Orleans traded two draft choices to the Jets in February to get a playmaker in the middle of the defense.

“He’s been a guy that we’ve been counting on in both of these games and I’m sure we’ll count on him the same way in the future,” Payton said. “He’s doing a good job of leading the defense, he’s continuing to learn and adjust to the scheme and the nuances that are different than where he was coming from. He’s handling it well.”

Vilma has done his best to hold together a defense that is yielding averages of 403.5 yards (fourth-worst in the NFL) and 24.5 points (tied for eighth worst).

“I’m getting a good feel for it,” Vilma said. “Fortunately my knee has been holding up very well. It hasn’t been an issue up to this point. I’m excited about that. Of course I’m always cognizant of my knee, but aside from that it’s the guys around me that have really been doing a great job. Even though we didn’t play up top our standards against Washington we’re looking to bounce back.”

Defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs calls New Orleans’ scheme “linebacker friendly,” and it certainly has been friendly to Vilma, who was eager to return to the middle in a 4-3 scheme after the Jets switched to a 3-4.