|Montana Bengal| Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/09/report-saints-benching-kenny-vaccaro/ The Saints are reportedly benching their 2013 No. 1 pick. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the club has demoted strong safety Kenny Vaccaro. The 23-year-old Vaccaro has started all 13 games this season, notching 66 tackles, defending five passes and securing two interceptions for 5-8 New Orleans. However,Pro Football Focus, an independent rating service, grades Vaccaro as the third-worst safety entering Week 15. It’s unclear who will replace Vaccaro in the lineup. Ex-Viking Jamarca Sanford was listed as the top backup at strong safety on the depth chart released to media last week. The benching of Vaccaro comes two days after the Saints fell 41-10 to Carolina. Though New Orleans remains in a tie for the NFC South lead, its play has fallen well short of expectations. And now, it appears the club is making a major lineup change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|Montana Bengal| Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000441583/article/kenny-vaccaro-benched-by-new-orleans-saints More on the 'why' Saints coach Sean Payton promised changes in New Orleans this week after their meltdown against Carolina. He's delivered. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the team is going to bench talented second-year safety Kenny Vaccaro, per a source informed of the team's plans. He's made plenty of big plays this season, and Rapoport notes that he's received "several" game balls. But Vaccaro's overaggressive style has typified a defense that has lacked discipline and given up a ton of long gains. The benching is especially harsh because the Saints have already lost safeties Jairus Byrd and Rafael Bushfor the season. They are already thin at the position. There has been a lot of talk about leadership, and the new-school Saints players not understanding how things are done with the team. Perhaps there is more to the Vaccaro story, but his on-field play warranted a change. ProFootballFocus ranks Vaccaro 84th out of 86 safeties. The move away from Vaccaro comes on a day where Payton met with at least 10 veterans for "review." Rapoport described the atmosphere as "very tense." The team also waived wide receiver Joseph Morgan on Tuesday. These are the types of moves usually associated with a team way out of the playoff race. 5-8 teams usually are not competing for a division title, but these Saints are currently tied for first place in the NFC South. This is a last gasp effort by Payton to send a message to his team. It's an attempt to gain control of a season that has spiraled lower than anyone expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|High School Harry| Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Yeah, I saw that. In to the coach's office for a come-to-Jesus meeting for ten players, bench a high draft pick (not sure for how long) and actually cut a guy. A coach holding players accountable. Imagine that. Marvy would probably give them a big hug and take them out for milk and cookies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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