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NEW ORLEANS — Kenny Vaccaro spent four years at the University of Texas preparing for this past weekend, his first in uniform with the Saints.

And this NFL offseason, when the Saints spent millions to draft their new young playmaker — a gifted, motivated, personable, even marketable talent to headline the reconstruction of a historically horrid defense.

He’s a rookie they hope will earn a starting spot in the secondary and handle the roller-coaster emotional existence of celebration and letdowns based on Sunday afternoon performances.

If the Saints are able to get back to the playoffs next season, they likely will need Vaccaro to play a pivotal role in new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s aggressive scheme. Vaccaro’s former position coach believes his college experience prepared him for this moment.

“The exposure, the scrutiny he’s going to go through with the New Orleans Saints is nothing compared to playing here at the University of Texas,” said Duane Akina, defensive backs coach at Texas. “You live in such a fishbowl here.”

Same here, Kenny. Welcome to Who Dat Nation, where fans of the black and gold are eager to forget Bountygate, which led to the first season of non-playoff football since 2008.

Read more: Kenny Vaccaro brings new look to Saints

hagan714

new look? lets see him play first the only new look we have is on the roster. man this kid is getting almost as much hype as reggie did

TheOak

It's about time we have a new talent to hype.

hagan714

you know i am not a huge fan of the pick for reason other than talent but i hate to see so much heaped on the kid so early. i hope he can handle it all. I would love to see him under the radar more so he can worry about his play and not all this other stuff off the field. Press clipping have wrecked more than one young player

TheOak

I am going to assume... because I have no other choice... that the vetting process for a first round draft pick entails some thought as whether he can handle what comes with being a first round draft pick. Throw in Sean Payton's ability and preference to not be front page of ESPin every day and Vaccaro will be fine.

Whether you like the pick or not for any reason, he is here now.. May as well reside in that fact and until the on field performance proves otherwise.. Go with it, enjoy the preseason, and revel in the fact we drafted a 1st round player with first round talent, which our defense needed.

saintsfan1976

Typical hype for a first rounder filling a position of extreme need on a team coming of an historically poor season.

Luckily the defense doesn't need a savior. Just a guy who can play safety damn well.

Rugby Saint II

He brings a new look alright..........We don't have anybody that resembles him in the least. Throw in the haircut and all the tatoos and it's a complete make over.

UK_WhoDat

The media are gonna report every play. I hope he is a tough kid. He is being paid well enough.
Frankly, I expect him to do very well. But he needs games.

homerj07

Kill da wabbit!!

Tackling would be nice. A hard hitter sounds good

skymike

Luke Skywalker?