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Safety first, last and everywhere in between.

That’s how it was for the New Orleans Saints in the season opener against the Falcons, a 23-17 victory at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome that was highlighted by New Orleans’ defense in general and, perhaps, its safeties in particular.

Roman Harper, Malcolm Jenkins and Kenny Vaccaro came up big against Atlanta, combining to force both Falcons turnovers and to help give the Saints the edginess that the unit wanted to exhibit this season.

And that’s exactly what the Saints were hoping for after last season, when the defense roundly was criticized after allowing a record-breaking 7,042 yards. Harper and Jenkins were at the forefront of much of the blame; Vaccaro, the Saints’ first-round pick this year, was brought in to help as a defender who equally was effective in coverage and run support.

“I just continue to do me,” Harper said. “I don’t worry about that other thing and I know that when the season rolls around, I’m going to go out there and do my thing.”

Indeed, he did that and more against Atlanta.
Harper recovered a fumble and returned it 19 yards, to the Falcons’ 31-yard line, to set up New Orleans’ first touchdown. And he intercepted a pass in the end zone, with Atlanta knocking on the door at fourth-and-goal from the Saints’ 3-yard line, with 43 seconds left to seal the victory.

Both times, he was set up by his teammates. Jenkins caused the fumble that Harper recovered by chasing down Falcons receiver Julio Jones from behind and stripping out the football, and Vaccaro initiated the interception by deflecting a pass that was intended for Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Jenkins finished with a team-leading six tackles and the forced fumble. Vaccaro had five tackles and the pass defensed. And Harper added three tackles, a pass defensed and the two turnovers.

“I think (defensive coordinator) Rob Ryan just wants to utilize his players the best and one of our best packages is keeping me, Malcolm and Roman on the field,” Vaccaro said. “So we’re going to use all of us.”

Read more: John DeShazier: Three safety lineup very effective for New Orleans Saints

Rugby Saint II

It works well with our LB'ers and corners needing help.

Utah_Saint

Keeps quarterbacks guessing at the line of scrimmage. They don't know who's going to drop into coverage and who's going to stay in the box.

dizzle88

I do like the 3 safety line up, just need to make sure we have enough beef upfront to stop outside runs

|Mitch|

We did alright in the Falcons game...

jeanpierre

It works because we finally have an effective true safety...

dizzle88

Besides the 50 yard outside run when gonzalez pushed vaccaro inside, probably why jay richardson has been resigned

RockyMountainSaint

Breaking Down How Saints' DC Rob Ryan Is Using Rookie Safety Kenny Vacarro | Bleacher Report

homerj07

Ok. Keep,doing it.

Danno

It works because finally our defensive line doesn't suck.