The Dude

I will eat crow on this one. I was like wtf when we picked him. I wanted LB depth any way would could get it, even if it meant a trade. I think this kid is going to be special. Would like to have a rookie Lb that balls like Vaccaro does but I aint *****in.

Danno

Seriously? Harper and Jenkins don't have the IQ of Vaccaro?

Why would you think that?

Danno

Also a good breakdown on the big Jackson run. It was on Vaccaro.

dizzle88

that one was on harper danno, he overpursued and went for ryan and jackson had cutback lane where harper should have been

Vaccaro was being blocked by gonzales down field

Danno

Look at the article. That was Vaccaro's lane and Gonzalez easily sealed him inside.

Harpers blitz was to get the QB.

No way that was on Harper.



Here's where Ryan may have out-schemed himself. If the Falcons pass when Vaccaro is at this position, it may not be a big deal. His quickness may be enough to get a tight end like Tony Gonzalez off the ball in an effort to disrupt the quarterback.

But if the Falcons are running the ball, a 250-pound Gonzalez may be able to manipulate Vaccaro's run-fit responsibilities.
Maintaining gap integrity and displaying proper run-fits are essential in run defense.



Right away Vaccaro is the victim of a seal block. Gonzalez is pushing him towards the action, when this play is designed for Jackson to cut it back to the strong side.


Harper could have helped this play out by not initially looking for the sack of the quarterback. But this situation happened mostly due to Vaccaro being too small to perform the task. A player like Jay Richardson—who was unfairly cut this preseason—is the type of outside linebacker who would've blown this play up quick, fast and in a hurry.Instead it made Falcons running back Steven Jackson look like he had a good game, when in reality he wasn't a factor in the run game outside of this blunder.



As you can see, Vaccaro is completely turned around and is no longer a factor in this play—in a positive manner. The thing is, Vaccaro is so talented that I believe he could possibly adjust after watching this on film.

The Saints have found possibly the most versatile defensive player in the league. His size, strength and athleticism make him a fit all over the defensive formation. Coordinator Rob Ryan has to be salivating every week just thinking of more ways for Vaccaro to be involved in the action.
Despite being tagged as a reserve, Vaccaro played every defensive snap in the Saints' victory over the Falcons (according to Katherine Terrell of Nola.com), as well as an extra 11 snaps on special teams.

And fittingly, it was his tip of the final pass that broke up the potential game-winning throw from Ryan to Gonzalez.

The first of many game-changing plays we will be seeing from this defensive dynamo.

Rugby Saint II

This is a nice break from the traditional first round disappointment.

VillainAgain

ITS CALLED PLAYING FOOTBALL! MJ and Harper can say what they wish if Vaccaro is in said position then Gonzo catches a touchdown with roman harper and Jenkins covering. Vaccaro has extremely good instincts that sports science segment was on full display sunday fully padded . He plays like water he just flows the the game, Its a pretty big statement to say this but the last person I saw play football with such a grace was Bo Jackson. AND I DO KNOW BO!

thebdj

So firstly I feel a little bit smug about backing KV from the moment we drafted him. Hooray for me. However ....

I am going to take my bow of shame in that I knocked Jenkins and Harper mercilessly all summer and actually I thought they were both excellent pieces in the defensive performance the other day, both of them. I wouldn't start comparing all of them as they play a different game. Let's see how good KV is at blitzing versus Harper for example (appreciate I am making a point by taking an unnecessary comparison).

What I saw was 3 safeties with different attributes that worked well together when they were on the field and I am really happy with that. Let's take this performance and turn it into something consistent before we all get too excited but this is a very good start indeed!

QBREES9

At pick time I said who the hell is that. In Loomis I trust. Where's Toon.

homerj07

KV a lot better choice than Mingo from LSU would have been.