Unlikely hero Vilma comes up big

Article written by Tom Oldfield

With Drew Brees and Reggie Bush on one side and Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson on the other, the NFC Championship game did not lack high quality talent. All four made key contributions throughout the Saints’ thrilling 31-28 overtime victory but no one on the field had a more influential afternoon than New Orleans’ Jonathan Vilma.

Vilma, the 27-year-old middle linebacker, had a day to remember with an interception and a fumble recovery as part of a ferocious effort on Brett Favre. It seemed whatever play the Minnesota Vikings drew up, Vilma was on the scene.

Drafted in 2004 by the New York Jets, he has blossomed since arriving in New Orleans and, having signed a new deal back in February 2009, the Saints number 51 will be a fixture on the team’s defense for the foreseeable future.

Vilma might not have received big headlines – one way or another Favre was always going to be the story – but on Sunday he had the game of his life. If he can do a similar job in two weeks’ time against Peyton Manning, the Saints will be well-placed to win the Super Bowl.

Tags: Andrian Peterson, Brett Favre, Drew Brees, Jonathan Vilma, Reggie Bush