Despite their worst start since 1999, the Jets still hope to salvage something positive from this season. They probably will have to do it without one of their top players, Jonathan Vilma. Their defensive leader faces the likelihood of season-ending knee surgery, the Daily News has learned. Vilma had a battery of tests the last two days, which revealed a "significant" injury, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Vilma is said to be mulling his options, but the prevailing feeling is that surgery is inevitable.