New Orleans Saints Roster Breakdown: Defensive Backs
May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Starters
Kenny Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd will be the starting safeties for the Saints in week 1. They’re too talented not to be the starters. The only thing that scares me at this point is health. Byrd had more than enough time to heal completely and should be 100% ready to go in 2015. Vaccaro stated in a recent interview at OTAs that he played through a couple of significant injuries all season long in 2014 but he began rehabbing early and should be good to go full speed very soon.
Vaccaro said he had a hamstring injury and two quad tears last year, but played through them with so many safeties already injured.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) May 28, 2015
With a healthy Jairus Byrd we might get the “2013 Kenny Vaccaro” back as he will probably go back to the “jack of all trades” role he played in his first year. He needs to play close to the line of scrimmage where he can read and react with quickness (something he lacked a lot in 2014, partially because of the injury – and the fear of re-injuring his leg) and make fewer mistakes, especially when it comes to tackling.
Next: Backup Safeties