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With each passing day since he took his first professional practice snaps with the New Orleans Saints during rookie minicamp last month, Kenny Vaccaro has gotten better.

After a rather low-key start in the offseason workouts, Vaccaro, the Saints' rookie first-round draft pick, seems to be making steady improvement and coming on strong in recent workouts.

The Saints' coaching staff has praised Vaccaro's progress in learning the system. And Vaccaro finally got to show off his quick development this week during the Saints' three-day minicamp that was opened to the media and fans.

"Kenny is steadily progressing," Saints secondary coach Wesley McGriff said. "From the learning of the playbook, he has got an exceptional football IQ. He is picking up the speed of the game. The one thing about Kenny is he is very engaging. He's always into it.


"He's not one of those kids where you got to push to get better. He is a self-motivator. You can definitely see the progress and the desire in him to want to be good."

With Malcolm Jenkins and Roman Harper, the incumbent starters at safety, returning, new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan already has unveiled schemes that'll put all three safeties on the field at the same time. And Vaccaro has taken advantage of his opportunities.

Vaccaro turned in perhaps his best practice of his young career Wednesday when he was one of the brightest stars on the Saints' defense.

Getting reps with the first-team defense at safety and as nickel back, the 6-foot, 214-pound Vaccaro, who starred at Texas before being selected by the Saints with the 15th overall pick in April's draft, displayed obvious signs of his unique pass-coverage skills.

Vaccaro made two of the best plays of Wednesday's practice, breaking up a pair of passes by backup quarterback Luke McCown. Vaccaro nearly came away with an acrobatic interception on the first one, diving in front of the ball but failing to control it for the pick.

Then he stole a touchdown from receiver Nick Toon, lunging to knock the ball away in the end zone just as Toon appeared ready to pull it in.

Although Vaccaro didn't make any standout plays Thursday, he regularly had solid coverage against receivers and tight ends.

"I think I've progressed a lot, honestly," Vaccaro said. "There is a great group of defensive backs around me teaching me how to become a pro. I'm picking up the system real fast.

"Today was our last day in minicamp and I just felt like one of the guys. I learned it so quick. I'm just real comfortable out there already."

Read more: New Orleans Saints rookie safety Kenny Vaccaro is proving to be a quick study | NOLA.com

Love to hear this sort of stuff, can't wait to see him put the pads on and hit somebody on game day

Rugby Saint II

I'm excited about the guy. But I'm going to evaluate him like I don't have a clue about him.

Crusader

Not bad for a rookie not even trough his first training camp yet.

dizzle88

Agreed, thats the sign of a guy that has got a high football IQ, which in todays game can prove to be vital

Mr.Riaton

Even if this kid is not great, pretty good is fine with me.

Crusader

Yeah you are smoked without a good head on your shoulders in the NFL. The game is becoming so complex for all positions. Same thing in college more and more.

Danno

Reminds me of Roman Harper, who was also a starter from day one of his rookie training camp.

NOS2SB

Self motivator motivates me. not just some dude happy he's in the nfl and satisfied. he has drive.

foreverfan

Yea... Yea... Yea... but can he catch?

rezburna

And so many people were disappointed with us picking him......