Vilma, a former University of Miami player who lives in Miami in the offseason, was booked in Miami-Dade County Jail after the 3 p.m. incident and was released on $6,500 bond seven hours later, according to a police report.

Police said Vilma was seen in his Range Rover weaving through traffic. He also ran a red light and was arrested after an exchange with police and also refusing to move away from his vehicle, the report said.

"When it occurred, he didn't know why he was pulled over," said Frankel, who added that no alcohol, drugs or firearms were involved. "Clearly he's going to challenge the charges and he doesn't agree with them."

Saints spokesman Greg Bensel told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that the team was aware of the incident and also said no alcohol was involved.

Vilma, who led the Saints in tackles and was their top defensive player, could become an unrestricted free agent this spring. But the Saints say they want to re-sign him.

--Tackle Jon Stinchcomb, a six-year NFL veteran who has been active in the New Orleans community since joining the Saints in 2003, was the team's nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

All 32 teams select a player each year to be considered for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which is one of the most prestigious awards in the league. The award is given to a player who does his job not only on the field but also makes a difference in his community.

Stinchcomb was not among the three finalists who were invited to be in Tampa next week when the award is presented before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's state-of-the-league news conference.

Stinchcomb has served the New Orleans community with educational programs in local schools and is a frequent visitor to area hospitals. When he's not visiting hospitals, Stinchcomb can be found in local schools on most Tuesdays, the team's usual day off.

--Saints quarterback Drew Brees became a father for the first time when wife Brittany gave birth to a baby boy on Jan. 15 at 2:22 p.m. in New Orleans.

The arrival of 7-pound, 7-ounce Baylen Robert was even more special to Brees because he was born on the quarterback's 30th birthday.

Oddly enough, Baylen Brees was born on the same day and in the same hospital as the twins of Nick Karl, the Saints director of community affairs. Karl's wife, Ellen, gave birth to a girl, Nora, and a boy, Owen, at 10:48 a.m.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "You've got to be excited about the offense. If you like to (play) pressure defense like I do, then you get a chance to pin your ears back and rush the passer more when you can put points on the board." -- Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, on combining with Sean Payton's offense to form a potent combo.