For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

ut for both Vaccaro's sake and the Saints' sake, his demotion had better wind up being temporary. More like what happened with cornerback Patrick Robinson this season than what happened with left tackle Charles Brown around this same time last year, when the Saints gave up on Brown for good.

Without knowing everything that went into the decision, it's hard to say how much Vaccaro deserves it.

Clearly, the former first-round draft pick wasn't living up to his lofty potential -- which makes him the perfect embodiment of the entire Saints defense this year.

But one thing, Vaccaro is not is an ideal scapegoat.

This isn't the kind of move a team makes purely for effect. Vaccaro is supposed to be one of the building blocks for the Saints' future. And they can't really afford to spare those right now with their salary-cap restraints.

Vaccaro's mistakes have been pretty evident this year. Way too many missed tackles and way too many guys getting past the last line of defense for season-killing touchdowns.

I'm not sure if Vaccaro was responsible on touchdowns by Carolina's Jonathan Stewart and Greg Olsen in the most recent 41-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers -- but I know coach Sean Payton made a specific reference to that Olsen TD as one that was unacceptable.

And my biggest frustration with watching Vaccaro was that there weren't enough big game-changing plays to make up for the big misses (only four forced turnovers and two sacks in his career).

I'm OK with an all-out, attacking, aggressive style as long as the good outweighs the bad (think: Roman Harper in his prime, when he routinely led the Saints defense in both departments).

Vaccaro still has both the potential and passion to be a great asset in the future. Last year, Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan called him the best overall safety in the NFL because of his versatility, and ESPN scouting analyst Matt Williams predicted he'd be an eight-or-10 Pro Bowl type of player.

Another key ingredient with Vaccaro is that he seems to be passionate about being great. He wears his heart on his sleeve, is open about both his desires and his frustrations and talks all the time about how manically he watches film. For a glimpse, check out a sit-down I did with him last month after criticism was reaching its peak.

Also, just last month Payton commended Vaccaro for his effort in a blowout loss and said, “I love the attitude and toughness he brings.”

But things have gotten worse for the Saints (5-8) since then. As Payton said when he first hinted at changes after Sunday's loss, “What's madness is to continue to get up here after a game like that with our fans and say, ‘We're gonna have it right next week.'”

So maybe the benching was deserved for a team that's at wit's end.

Ultimately, though, restoring Vaccaro for the future needs to rank among the Saints' top priorities.

For Saints' sake, Kenny Vaccaro benching needs to be temporary - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

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Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

Of course it will be a temporary benching, it's supposed to send a message to the entire team that no matter who you are, no matter how little depth we have at that position - no one is untouchable, no one is unreplaceable and people who aren't giving 100% effort will be dealt with.

I'm waiting for junior to get benched next, he deserves it just as much as Vaccaro.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I don't think this was "to send a message".

I think its because he's played like total crap and they think their best chance to win is by starting someone else at safety.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

Let him play the role he thrived at last year. Line up and take on the slot WR or TE at the line. Simple. JR is not an every down DE and is not an any down OLB. He's a situational pass rusher. Let him play that role. Simple. Robinson is not nor has he ever been a good NFL CB. Cut him. Simple. Goodwin has been a good, solid pro. Those days are behind him. Cut him. Simple. Hawthorne and Haralson not only don't make big plays, they don't make the simple ones, and don't deserve being on a NFL roster. Cut them. The young guys out there may not be any better, which as a staff you need to find out for next year, but I guarantee they will be trying instead of just going through the motion.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I completely agree. I love his style of play but it becomes frustrating at points when he reminds me of Roman. By that I mean, being in the right position for a tackle but missing it.

Often Kenny seems to be in the right place to stop a run but then its a 50/50 chance he actually takes the guy down. Tackling seems like a huge problem for the whole defense this year. I'd bet that the Saints have given up the most Yards After Contact this year.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

Bad tackling technique & situation awareness by Kenny V all season long. With the void of Malcolm Jenkins, Harper and not finding a solid #2 corner replacement for Greer has really hurt the kid's confidence. I hope in time he gets it back.

Edit : Losing J Byrd to injury early in the season didn't help either.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I'm not sure about KV's mentally. He seems to get flagged for a disproportionate amount of late hits and cheap shots. You want a D that plays tough but also plays smart. It's really stupid to deliver a statement hit late and give the opposition and extra 15 yards.

In years past I always had a feeling that the average Saint was just a bit smarter that the opposition. Whether it was them not doing stupid stuff on the field or listening to their post game comments, they just seemed to have more between the ears than the average NFL player.

I can't say the same holds true for the current crop.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I think it's both. Sending a message because you're making stupid mistakes.
You're a safety, you're not supposed to let receivers get behind you. You don't come crashing the LOS and watch a RB go racing down the field. You don't let TEs have free release down the seam. Stupid but correctable mistakes

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I might see things different sometimes but I thought when you get benched you have to earn a chance to play again to possibly, or ever, get it back. Meaning no matter draft status, contract, friedship or whatever, you get your a$$ outplayed you are beat out, period.And if there is little or no room for improvement, cut the fat. Better show something!!

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I agree with your analysis, this wasn't to send a message , this is because you look like you don't want to be out there. I have no doubt the hope is it will light a fire as well

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

Agree. Except I think you're too hard on Robinson. He's improved enough to be a solid nickel back. And, I've seen Harylson look decent enough to keep, maybe even start if he has good LBs around him and a DL to tie up the OL. I'd keep both as backups, at least, if the price remains right.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

Vaccaro (like Drew) is trying to do too much with a less than adequate team supporting them.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

Doesn't the action "send a message" itself?

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

You aint better than sliced bread Kenny

so far the true SS test has not worked with him.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

So do we lack the personnel to put him back into the role he was a star in last season?

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I think we have what 5 SS at the start of the season and 1 FS on the roster so there should be one you would think.

oh yeah we have seen them all so far and well they need some work to be starters 16 games.

you would have thought out of the group we would have found 1.

maybe another year or two is all they need.

and with the 8th pick in the nfl draft

saints pick Landon Collins SS Bama

sorry could not resist.

I would LMAO but i fear that statement.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I still wish we had kept Harper for another year. Although I do think Sunseri is a good fit at SS. Steal of the Saints draft last draft. A 5th.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

So who's going to start?

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

It's not official however all signs point to Jamarcus Sanford.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

We'll have to score 40. In Chicago. In December. At night. With weather.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

Personally, I think his butt shoulda been benched at the beginning of the Carolina game for those 2 personal fouls for 30 free yards on the last drive up in Pittsburg.

That's just me, though. Old School ain't cool no more.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I know its a what have you done for me lately league but does 1 season make Kenny Vacarro, has he played bad yes but its fixable he does have earl/kam potential its called growing pains if you have 10 other guys playing bad NOBODY is going to shine even Keenan Lewis has played terrible at times there's no one on one in football everybody MUST be on the same page & same understanding. Your only as good as your weakest link we need cohesion front 7 on back.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I totally agree on benching, not for sending message to the team but for KV to focus more on his responsibilities than overplaying it looking over the shoulders of his teammate; if you play out of control cause you looking for the big play the risk could be worse than the reward. On that long TD play KV was responsible for the edge instead he was looking for the big stop but he disregard his responsibilities and stunted inside the DE giving up the edge.

He will & should be benched but he will get a significant number of snaps on defense. Hopefully, this will get him back on track, cause if your teammates can't trust you to handle your responsibilities they all will overcompensate for one player eventually

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I wouldn't mind getting a look at SJB at the SS position myself.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

You're kidding right?

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I imagine Jamarca Sanford will start since he played for the Vikings and faced Jay Cutler many times.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

Who is that (sarcasm) ? ...

It is apparent that the kid is flat out not mentally prepared. Total waste of a second round pick if you ask me.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

And he's had a few weeks to learn the system and his teammates.

I hate the phrase, but it fits... He couldn't do any worse.

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

I Payton's presser today he said that the rumor that Vaccaro had been benched was false and "silly".

Re: For Saints Sake, Vaccaro Benching Should Be Temporary
 

Yeah, I heard that too.