Saints Rookie LB’s Could Help Joe Vitt Shed His Image

Ask fans of the New Orleans Saints their opinion of linebackers coach Joe Vitt and usually you won’t find too much positive contained in the answer.

Vitt’s image hasn’t been a bright one as the seasons have rolled by although he is a colorful character to be around according to players and media.

He has the look of the “grumpy old guy” who is quick to tell you how he feels about something regardless of the outcome.

We got a taste of this when head coach Sean Payton was suspended during the 2012 season as punishment for Bountygate and Vitt was designated his replacement for that year.

While Vitt also had to serve a six game suspension that year, he coached during preseason and guided the train wreck of that 2012 team to it’s final destination.

During media sessions Vitt proved to be an amalgam of Payton and former NFL coach Bill Parcells when giving statements and answering questions.

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He drummed the table or podium so hard, it banged through the microphone — which was mainly out of aggravation due his distaste for having to fulfill that duty.

The finger-drumming, heavy nostril-breathing, and dry one-liner’s that bordered on sarcasm became a mainstay for 2012; as most fans listened for comedic purposes instead of information.

No one will deny that Vitt is a player’s coach or a guy who readily will tell you about your lack of fashion sense and body image (just ask WWL 870 AM’s Kristin Garic — who wore a pink shirt around Vitt).

But it’s the development, or seemingly lack thereof, when it comes to the Saints linebacking corps where Vitt is concerned.

The main jab against Vitt has been that he hasn’t molded a single linebacker that can be considered a standout player for the team.

You can throw out names like Jonathan Vilma, Scott Fujita, and Curtis Lofton but those were free agents that already had experience and talent at the position.

Outside of those three there hasn’t really been a single linebacker that the team has drafted who has come close to those players.

One who slipped through his grasp was the well known boggle of New England Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich who the Saints drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

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While he had a bright beginning in preseason, injuries derailed Ninkovich’s stint with the team and he was waived the next year.

The Saints got a second bite of the apple when they re-signed him in 2008 from the Miami Dolphins practice squad but was merely considered an option at long snapper before he was released in July 2009.

Ninkovich has become one of the top linebackers on the Patriots team and has 376 tackles with 35.5 sacks for his career.

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich (50) celebrates after the game against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24.Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

While Payton usually takes the blame for the “how’d you miss on that” moment, Vitt can shoulder some as well.

The Saints draft history with linebackers is well known for being mostly bombs with the team relying heavily on players like Vilma or Lofton acting as a band-aid to cover the wound.

But now it seems that Vitt’s image could get a boost with the addition of some promising fresh blood in the front seven.

Sep 22, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebackers coach Joe Vitt (left) and linebacker Jonathan Vilma (right) currently on injured reserve on the sideline during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Two that immediately stand out are of course Stephone Anthony and Hau’oli Kikaha whom the Saints selected in the first and second round respectively of this year’s draft.

Anthony is showing huge potential and considered by many, including Big Easy Believer Editor Barry Hirstius, to possibly push veteran linebacker David Hawthorne for playing time at inside linebacker.

May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Stephone Anthony (50) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

While Hawthorne has experience, Anthony is proving that he can pick up the defense quickly by making adjustments along the line as well as having natural ability.

Payton also appears to have a vision for Anthony as not just a leader on defense, but being a vocal one which the team has severely lacked in recent years.

Kikaha is proving to be a player who can see some playing time at outside linebacker as well as being strictly a pass rusher off the edge if called on.

When the idea of Junior Galette‘s injury and legal troubles became a huge concern, Kikaha was mentioned a possible replacement for the veteran if any time was missed due to recovery or a suspension from the league.

Linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha at New Orleans Saints Mini-Camp. Photo by Michael C. Hebert. New Orleans Saints Photos.

The speed, passion, and intensity that Kikaha plays the game at has made him appear to be a steal for the Saints and a godsend for Vitt.

While Anthony and Kikaha have certainly stole the show and the spotlight for now during mini-camp, you can’t forget about another rookie linebacker.

Fifth round pick Davis Tull is another potential boost for Vitt when it comes to raw talent at the position.

Granted Tull has merely worked on the sidelines during mini-camp due to recovering from shoulder surgery but the ceiling is high for him.

The consecutive three time SoCon Defensive Player of the Year from Tennessee-Chattanooga may not start this season but is someone who could be molded in that direction.

To be honest it’s unlikely that Vitt will see the chopping block anytime soon regardless of what happens since Payton has an enduring relationship, possibly to a fault, with him.

Also, the image that Vitt has of being a below mediocre coach won’t likely go away overnight even if we see a “Dome Patrol 2.0” for this upcoming season.

But players like Anthony, Kikaha, and Tull can at least begin the turnaround of the much maligned coach for seasons to come……..

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