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For New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's multiple-scheme operation to function at its finest, he must be able to disguise coverage by using players in a myriad of positions. Linemen become linebackers, linebackers become pure cover guys and defensive backs become interchangeable.

In my time of following his lengthy career, he's never had a player who could truly tie everything together.

That is, until now...

With the selection of safety Kenny Vaccaro out of the University of Texas, Ryan essentially gained three players at once. The versatility of Vaccaro has been on full display since the second he trotted onto the field in the preseason. In Vaccaro, Ryan now has the five-tool player he's been looking to deploy his entire career.

You can't help but notice Vaccaro. He's like a heavily tattooed mesh of Charles Woodson and Troy Polamalu. He has the ideal cover skills and ambidexterity of Woodson, while possessing a fearless persona that leads to splash plays—very reminiscent of Polamalu.

I first heard about Vaccaro when scouting current Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas. The pair played together during Thomas' final collegiate season in 2009. At the time, Vaccaro was a freshman backup, and Thomas was a budding star.

It was his versatility that garnered Thomas the recognition that made him a potential first-round pick. Texas deployed Thomas as a slot corner and safety. Once he moved on to the NFL, Vaccaro moved into his role. Today, Earl Thomas—in my humble opinion—is the best safety in the league.

Vaccaro may very well be on his way to similar recognition.

Vaccaro possess a similar football IQ to Thomas, but the difference in size (Thomas is 5'10" and 202 pounds, while Vaccaro is 6'0" and 214 pounds) will benefit the Saints the most.

The various positions that Vaccaro has played thus far in his brief Saints career are uncanny. I expected Vaccaro to play most of the positions in the secondary.

But even I truly had no idea what Ryan had in store.



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

saintsfan1976

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.

Hear that world? Our defense made Atlanta's prize FA signing a non factor.

foreverfan

Excellent... Reminds me of what Mora was talking about.

Rell&Gold

Cant wait to see what he does this week along w/ Hicks & Tez &........F*** IT THE WHOLE TEAM!!!!! #WHODAT

TheOak

Random Echo ~ "we dont know what our defense will look like in regular season until it is regular season"....

homerj07

Go man go.

Rugby Saint II

Vacccaro is all Dat!