New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Who Got the Better End of the Stick?

On February 29, 2008, Jonathan Vilma was traded the New Orleans Saints for a fourth round pick in the 2008 draft, and a conditional pick in the 2009 draft. That seems cheap for a player taken 12th overall in the 2004 draft.

Now, he was coming off of major surgery, and the Jets were in the middle of a defensive makeover, plus, Jon was diagnosed in high school, with Osteochondritis Dissecans this can cause loose particles and instability in joints.

It was a relatively low risk, high reward deal the Saints jumped on. One man's trash, is another man's treasure. The 2008 season proved Jonathan to be solid gold. He notched 129 tackles, 1 int., 1.5 sacks, showed no ill effects of his surgery, and played all most every snap.

Now to the conditional pick, if the Saints sign Jon to a deal before free agency, they will have to give the Jets their first round pick. Instead the Saints have a gentleman's agreement with Jon to resign him after the start of free agency.

If the Saints are able to resign Vilma, I would consider this as big a steal as buying Manhattan Island from the natives for a hand full of beads. What were the Jets thinking? In my opinion they wasted more than a great player, but a team leader. The Saints new defensive coordinator plans to make Jon the center piece of their new look defense, all for a fourth round pick.

That's what I think. What do you think? Saints fans, Jets fans, let me know.

Ya'll have any safeties laying around, we maybe interested.