Why an Undefined Vaccaro Isn't a Bad Thing.

When Kenny Vaccaro was drafted 15th overall, most of the fan-base hated the pick. Many, including myself, were crying out for a pass rusher.

“How could you pick a safety with Jarvis Jones on the board?”

It’s worth pointing out that the much lauded pass rusher has managed only 3 sacks in two seasons in Pittsburgh.

Perceptions changed once Vaccaro suited up. The rookie was feisty in practice, laying into established veterans without hesitation. He would seemingly coming out of nowhere to lay his shoulder into someone or slam people into the ground. Vaccaro was all over the field, lining up at nickel corner, dropping into zone, blitzing off the edge and even played some outside linebacker in sub-packages. He brought a physicality and nastiness that the secondary had lacked for some time. The defense fed off of his energy. His performance was instrumental in turning around the worst defense in NFL history, finishing the year ranked 4th overall. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said that he had never thrown that much at a rookie, and while he had his share of mistakes, Vaccaro thrived before breaking his ankle week 16 in Carolina.

(Vaccaro being carted off in Carolina)

He performed so well that the team felt comfortable cutting ties with fellow strong safety Roman Harper. They let Malcolm Jenkins explore free agency and replaced him with Jairus Byrd.The team looked to rival Seattle as one of the best safety tandems in the NFL.

It was reported that Vaccaro would have a more “defined” role in 2014. The logic behind the move seemed sound. With a more focused role, Vaccaro would be able to refine his game and build off the success of his rookie year, but there were a couple of problems.

For one Vaccaro was tentative coming back from injury. There’s the residual pain to contend with, but perhaps the bigger hurdle is the mental one. Re-injury is an ever present threat. It takes time to regain trust in your body. Vaccaro is more quick than fast, and the hesitation nullified a good portion of his quickness. This delayed reaction time manifested itself in missed tackles. Vaccaro recorded only 3 missed tackles in 2013, but that number ballooned to 18 in 2014.

It wasn't just hesitation. It’s quite possible that the coaching staff had something different in mind before the season started, but how he was used to begin the year really didn't fit his skill set. The team realized towards the end of the pre-season just how deficient they were at corner and played a lot of off man and zone to compensate. It never suited him. While he can play deep from time to time, he’s a box safety if there ever was one. It’s not due to a lack of athleticism. He needs to be near the action and to freely move around. I don't know if calling a football player near sighted is something that's done, but it really does apply to him. He was “benched” later in the year, and his performance improved after he was used in a fashion more similar his 2013 season.

(Vaccaro making his first career interception)

Vaccaro should be on the upswing after a full year of being healthy and a return to a more comfortable role. The biggest factor that could improve his play is the surrounding cast.

During a bulk of 2013 the Saints had a competent pair of starting corners in Keenan Lewis and Jabari Greer. This allowed Ryan to be creative and play a lot of 3 safety sets and other creative coverages. Vaccaro and Jenkins moved around quite a bit and both spent time in the slot. Roman Harper was used in a limited role closed to the line of scrimmage, and Rafael Bush was mostly used as a deep safety. All four of these players had flaws in their game, but Jenkins and Harper in particular provided veteran leadership. Rob Ryan was able to play to their strengths while covering up a good bit of their weaknesses. Even after losing Greer for the season in week 11, the Saints were able to compensate, although his loss was felt.

Last year there was no complement to Keenan Lewis, and there no solid nickel back play until later in the year, when Patrick Robinson filled the role rather well. Both starting safeties started out the year being misused and then injuries began to deplete the position. The communication and leadership they had over the years was no longer there. The front office went into free agency and the draft wanting to add high character guys who have a passion for football. If the Saints had enough of those players last year they probably don't lose their last 5 home games and miss the playoffs. The team was successful in adding depth, talent and leadership in the secondary.

Before the free agency period started they signed CFL star corner Delvin Breaux, who Payton sees as an outside corner. Breaux was recruited by LSU, but due to a neck injury sustain in high school he was never able to suit up for the Tigers. He possesses real NFL physical attributes and talent and Keenan Lewis predicted that he'll be a starter by the end of the year. Early into the free agency period they signed former Seattle and New England corner Brandon Browner. Browner brings a physical style of play, press man abilities and a much needed locker room enforcer. Right before the draft they signed former first round pick Kyle Wilson, who was brought into compete for the nickel position. Wilson is much like departed 1st round pick Patrick Robinson. While he never lived up to his draft status he proved to be somewhat useful as a nickel back. P.J. Williams was drafted in the 3rd round. He was originally projected as a late first/early second round pick, but fell due to a DUI charge that was later dropped. He will also compete for the starting nickel position, but offers some versatility as he can play outside corner as well. Williams looks to be an eventual starter. Trading back into the 5th round, the Saints took Damian Swann from Georgia. Swann has a skill set similar to Malcolm Jenkins, being able to play nickel corner and safety. Last years second round pick Stanley Jean-Baptist could wind up benefiting from the new additions as the team finally has the personnel to play press man, which is what he's most comfortable with. With the starting corners solidified, improved depth and real competition at the nickel position, Vaccaro should be free to do what comes natural to him, which is a little bit of everything.