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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

dizzle88

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.

Danno

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.

Cruize

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.

jlaw8920

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.

K Major

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.

dam1953

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.

”It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Charles Darwin

Budsdrinker

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

halloween 65

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!!

spkb25

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