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METAIRIE, La. — As the days went by this past week, Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro let slip that he would start against the Atlanta Falcons in his first-ever regular season NFL game.

What his lips didn’t let loose was just how extensive his role would be in the Saints’ game plan in shutting down a prolific Falcons offense and sure-fire Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Vaccaro was one of only four players to see every defensive snap in New Orleans’ 23-17 win. Including his special teams plays, the rookie from Texas saw a total of 67 plays. And he finished with five tackles, second-best on the team.

“He spent a lot of time studying the tape and understood the strengths and weaknesses (of Gonzalez),” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “A guy like that is a veteran player, but I thought he handled that matchup well.”
Did he ever.

Gonzalez has a history of playing big against New Orleans. Including Sunday, he has caught 63 passes for 708 yards and six touchdowns against the Saints with both Kansas City and Atlanta. And two of his biggest days in his career have come against New Orleans – an 11-catch, 122-yard, two-touchdown performance in 2012 and an eight-catch, 110-yard, one-touchdown day in 2010.

But Sunday, with Vaccaro spending time against him, he finished with only three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown wasn’t Vaccaro’s responsibility, either. He was guarding tight end Levine Toilolo.

“I said this way back at the beginning of training camp – he is a player … that is a little more wiser or a little bit more savvy than a lot of rookies in that he is very experienced,” Payton said. “He studies hard, but (he) is someone who knows the game well. It was a good start for him.”

Read more: Vaccaro gaining trust of Saints teammates with strong play in opener | wwltv.com New Orleans

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Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.