Kenny Vaccaro

Kenny Vaccaro
refer to caption
Vaccaro with the Titans in 2018
No. 24 – Tennessee Titans
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1991-02-15) February 15, 1991
Brownwood, Texas
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 214 lb (97 kg)
Career information
High school: Early (TX)
College: Texas
NFL Draft: 2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 15
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2018
Total tackles: 400
Sacks: 8.5
Pass deflections: 31
Interceptions: 9
Forced fumbles: 4
Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at NFL.com

Kenneth Dwayne Vaccaro (born February 15, 1991) is an American football safety for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.

Early years

The eldest of four children, Vaccaro was born and raised in Brownwood, Texas by a widowed mother.[1] He attended Brownwood High School before transferring to Early High School in nearby Early, Texas for his senior year and played football at both schools, earning all-district and all-state honors.[2] While in high school he was moved around the field and played in six different positions. He also competed in athletics in both running and field events and had career-bests of 13.26 meters in triple jump and 6.48 meters in long jump.

College career

Vaccaro enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin, where he played for coach Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns football team from 2009 to 2012.

Freshman year

During his freshman year, Vaccaro appeared in all 13 games, both as a safety and on special teams. He made 1 tackle, blocked 1 punt and also forced a fumble in a game vs. Texas A&M. Texas ended the season with a 21-37 loss to Alabama. Vaccaro sacked quarterback Sam Bradford in the 2010 Red River Rivalry.

Sophomore year

Vaccaro playing for the Longhorns in 2010

In his sophomore year, Vaccaro saw more playing time in all 12 games with six starts: two games started as a safety and the other four as a nickelback. His best game of his career was against Oklahoma State where he caught his first college career interception. He had nine tackles (eight solo), one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups before the game was over. When the season was over, Vaccaro had amassed 54 total tackles (42 solo), one interception, four tackles for loss, one forced fumbles and eight passes broken up. The Longhorns had their first losing season (5–7) in 13 years.

Junior year

Vaccaro started all 13 games as a safety during his junior year and finished the season as a solid starter for the Texas Longhorns. He had 82 total tackles with 8 for a loss, 2.0 sacks, 8 pass breakups and 2 interceptions. In the Holiday Bowl, Vaccaro and his defense held the California Golden Bears to seven rushing yards and 195 yards of total offense. He had five tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack in the 21–10 victory.

Senior year

As a senior in 2012, Vaccaro was named a first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly.[3] He and linebacker Alex Okafor were voted as defensive captains for the season.

Professional career

Vaccaro attended the NFL Scouting Combine and completed all of the combine and positional drills. On March 26, 2013, Vaccaro participated at Texas' pro day, but did not perform any drills due to a hip injury. He attended private workouts and visits with a few teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints.[4][5][6] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Vaccaro was projected to be a first round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the top safety prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com, Sports Illustrated, and NFL analyst Mike Mayock.[7][8]

External video
Kenny Vaccaro's NFL Combine Workout
Kenny Vaccaro's 40-yard dash
NFL Draft Profile: Kenny Vaccaro
Pre-draft measurables
Ht Wt Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert jump Broad BP
6 ft 0 in
(1.83 m)		 214 lb
(97 kg)		 32 3⁄4 in
(0.83 m)		 10 in
(0.25 m)		 4.63 s 1.60 s 2.59 s 4.06 s 6.78 s 38 in
(0.97 m)		 10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)		 15 reps
All values from NFL Combine[9]

New Orleans Saints

2013

The New Orleans Saints selected Vaccaro in the first round (15th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. Vaccaro was the first safety drafted in 2013 and was the highest safety drafted from the University of Texas since Earl Thomas (14th overall) in 2010.[10]

External video
Saints draft Kenny Vaccaro 15th overall
Vaccaro on being drafted by the Saints

On May 9, 2013, the New Orleans Saints signed Vaccaro to a fully guaranteed four-year, $9.42 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $5.23 million.[11]

Throughout training camp, Vaccaro competed against Roman Harper to be the starting strong safety. Head coach Sean Payton named Vaccaro the backup strong safety, behind Roman Harper, to start the regular season.[12]

He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the New Orleans Saints' season-opener against the Atlanta Falcons and made five solo tackles and deflected a pass, intended for tight end Tony Gonzalez, that was caught by teammate Roman Harper on fourth down to seal the Saints' 23–17 victory.[13] Vaccaro became the starting strong safety in Week 3 after Roman Harper sustained a knee injury. On September 22, 2013, Vaccaro recorded seven combined tackles, broke up a pass, and made his first career interception during a 31–7 win against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3. Vaccaro made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Carson Palmer, that was intended for tight end Rob Housler, and returned it for a 28-yard gain in the fourth quarter.[14] In Week 5, he collected five solo tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career sack in the Saints' 26–18 win at the Chicago Bears. Vaccaro made his first career sack on Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler for an eight-yard loss in the second quarter.[15] In Week 10, Vaccaro made three solo tackles and a pass deflection before exiting in the third quarter after sustaining a concussion due to a knee colliding with his helmet while making a tackle during their 49–17 victory against the Dallas Cowboys. He remained in concussion protocol and was inactive for the Saints' Week 11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.[16] On December 22, 2013, Vaccaro was carted off the field during the first quarter of the Saints' 17–13 loss at the Carolina Panthers after breaking his ankle while making a tackle.[17] On December 25, 2013, the New Orleans Saints placed Vaccaro on injured reserve as he underwent ankle surgery.[18][19][20] He finished his rookie season in 2013 with 79 combined tackles (62 solo), eight pass deflections, a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception in 14 games and 14 starts.[21] Vaccaro received an overall grade of 82.6 from Pro Football Focus and had the 13th highest grade among all qualifying safeties in 2013.[22]

2014

Vaccaro entered training camp slated as the starting strong safety after Roman Harper departed for the Carolina Panthers during free agency. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan named Vaccaro the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, along with free safety Jairus Byrd.[23]

On October 19, 2014, Vaccaro made two combined tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception during a 24–23 loss at the Detroit Lions. He intercepted a pass by quarterback Matthew Stafford, that was originally intended for tight end Jordan Thompson, and returned it for a 45-yard gain.[24] The following week, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (eight solo) during a 44–23 victory against the Green Bay Packers.[25] Vaccaro was inactive for the Saints' Week 17 victory at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a quadriceps injury.[26] He finished the season with 71 combined tackles (54 solo), five pass deflections, two interceptions, and a sack in 15 games and 14 starts.[21] He received an overall grade of 42.8 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked as the 83rd highest grade among all qualifying safeties in 2014.[22]

2015

Vaccaro (right) playing for the Saints in 2015.

Head coach Sean Payton retained Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd as the starting safeties in 2015.[27] On November 16, 2015, the New Orleans Saints fired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan after a 48-14 loss at the Washington Redskins in Week 10.[28] In Week 11, he collected a season-high 13 combined tackles (eight solo) and forced a fumble during a 24-6 loss at the Houston Texans. On December 27, 2015, Vaccaro recorded three solo tackles and made two sacks on Jaguars' quarterback Blake Bortles in the Saints' 38-27 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16.[29] Vaccaro started in all 16 games in 2015 and recorded a career-high 104 combined tackles (71 solo), five pass deflections, three sacks, and a forced fumble.[21] Pro Football Focus gave Vaccaro an overall grade of 80.0, which ranked 21st among all qualifying safeties in 2015.[22]

2016

On April 12, 2016, the New Orleans Saints exercised the fifth-year option on Vaccaro's rookie contract and agreed to pay him $5.76 million for the 2017 season.[30] Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen retained Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd as the starting safeties.[31]

Vaccaro was inactive for the Saints' Week 3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons due to an ankle injury. On November 6, 2016, Vaccaro collected a season-high nine solo tackles during a 41–23 win at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 9. On November 10, 2016, it was reported that Vaccaro was facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs for using Adderall and planned to appeal.[32] In Week 10, Vaccaro made nine combined tackles, two pass deflections, an interception, and a sack during a 25–23 loss to the Denver Broncos. On December 9, 2016, Vaccaro dropped his plan to appeal and accepted the four-game suspension. He served his suspension and was inactive for the last four games of the 2016 season (Weeks 14–17).[33] He finished the season with 68 combined tackles (51 solo), five pass deflections, two forced fumbles, an interception, and a sack in 11 games and 11 starts.[21] Pro Football Focus gave Vaccaro an overall grade of 79.9. His grade was the 38th highest among all qualifying safeties in 2016.[22]

2017

Vaccaro entered training camp facing competition from Vonn Bell and rookie second-rounder Marcus Williams. Head coach Sean Payton named Vaccaro the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside free safety Vonn Bell.[34]

On October 15, 2017, Vaccaro recorded four combined tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, an interception, and scored a touchdown during a 52–38 victory against the Detroit Lions. During the first quarter, Vaccaro recovered a fumble in the endzone after Alex Okafor stripped it from quarterback Matthew Stafford.[35] He missed two games (Weeks 10–11) after injuring his groin.[36] In Week 15, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (eight solo) during the Saints' 31–19 victory against the New York Jets.[37] On December 21, 2017, the New Orleans Saints officially placed Vaccaro on injured reserve due to a wrist and groin injury. Vaccaro had been playing with a injured adductor muscle that had torn off the bone and also required surgery to repair his wrist.[38] He finished the season with 60 combined tackles (48 solo), seven pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown in 14 games and 14 starts.[21] Pro Football Focus gave Vaccaro an overall grade of 50.3, which ranked 114th among all the qualifying cornerbacks in 2017.[39]

Tennessee Titans

On August 4, 2018, the Tennessee Titans signed Vaccaro to a one-year, $1.5 million contract after starting strong safety Johnathan Cyprien suffered a season-ending torn ACL.[11][40] On October 1, it was reported that Vaccaro had a dislocated elbow, which required him to miss two to four weeks.[41]

NFL statistics

YearTeamGPCOMBTOTALASTSACKFFFRFR YDSINTIR YDSAVG IRLNGTDPD
2013NO 147962171.010012914.52908
2014NO 157451231.000024522.54505
2015NO 1610471333.0100000005
2016NO 116851171.0200230153005
2017NO 126048121.501034113.73007
Career683852831027.5410814518.145030

Personal life

Vaccaro's younger brother, Kevin, plays for the Texas Longhorns football team.[42] Their uncle is retired cornerback and Super Bowl XXVI winner A. J. Johnson.[43]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kenny Vaccaro: Family First". Inside Texas. June 4, 2008.
  2. ↑ "All-West Texas: Brownwood's Kenny Vaccaro". San Angelo Standard-Times. August 24, 2008.
  3. ↑ PFW 2012 All-America team Archived 2012-12-15 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ Powers, Craig (March 27, 2013). "NFL Draft 2013: Titans, Cowboys visit with Kenny Vaccaro". sbnation.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  5. ↑ "New York Jets Draft Profile: Kenny Vaccaro". thejetpress.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  6. ↑ Galliford, Brian (April 4, 2013). "2013 NFL Draft: Geno Smith, Kenny Vaccaro, Kevin Minter visit Bills". buffalorumblings.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  7. ↑ Mayock, Mike (April 19, 2013). "2013 NFL Draft: Mike Mayock's top 100 prospects". NFL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  8. ↑ Burke, Chris (April 29, 2013). "2013 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Defense". si.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  9. ↑ "NFL Draft Profile: Kenny Vaccaro". NFL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Pro-Football-Reference: Texas Drafted Players". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  11. 1 2 "Spotrac.com: Kenny Vaccaro contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  12. ↑ Bardeen, Knox (August 27, 2013). "New Orleans Saints' Roster 2013: Latest Cuts, Depth Charts and Analysis". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  13. ↑ Terrell, Katherine (September 9, 2013). "New Orleans Saints rookie Kenny Vaccaro debuts with game-changing play". The Times-Picayune.
  14. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 3-2013: Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints". NFL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  15. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 5-2013: New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears". NFL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  16. ↑ Stites, Adam (November 11, 2013). "Kenny Vaccaro injury: Saints rookie has concussion, out for Week 11". sbnation.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  17. ↑ Triplett, Mike (December 22, 2013). "Kenny Vaccaro carted off field". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  18. ↑ Cariello, Dave (December 25, 2013). "Saints Place Kenny Vaccaro on Injured Reserve, Sign Terrence Frederick". canalstreetchronicles.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Kenny Vaccaro set for season-ending ankle surgery". NFL. December 23, 2013.
  20. ↑ Terrell, Katherine (June 5, 2014). "New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro has ambitious plans for his second season". The Times-Picayune.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "NFL Player stats: Kenny Vaccaro (career)". NFL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  22. 1 2 3 4 Manning, Michael (June 23, 2017). "Saints S Vaccaro targeting improvement in 2017". ProFootballFocus.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Ourlads.com: New Orleans Saints Depth Chart: 10/01/2014". Ourlads.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  24. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 7-2014: New Orleans Saints @ Detroit Lions". NFL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  25. ↑ "NFL Player stats: Kenny Vaccaro (2015)". NFL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  26. ↑ "'Significant' quad injury keeps Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro out of season finale". nola.com. December 28, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Ourlads.com: New Orleans Saints Depth Chart: 10/01/2015". Ourlads.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  28. ↑ Orr, Conor (November 16, 2015). "Saints fire Rob Ryan following defensive meltdown". NFL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  29. ↑ "NFL Player stats: Kenny Vaccaro (2015)". NFL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  30. ↑ Sessler, Marc (April 12, 2016). "Saints pick up fifth-year option on Kenny Vaccaro". NFL.com. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  31. ↑ Anderson, Roy (September 8, 2016). "Saints Release First Depth Chart for 2016 Season". whodatdish.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  32. ↑ Sessler, Marc (November 10, 2016). "Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro facing 4-game suspension". NFL.com. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  33. ↑ Orr, Conor (December 9, 2016). "Kenny Vaccaro's suspension for PEDs begins Sunday". NFL.com. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Ourlads.com: New Orleans Saints Depth Chart: 09/01/2017". Ourlads.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  35. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 6-2017: Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints". NFL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  36. ↑ "FoxSports.com: Kenny Vaccaro Injury History". Foxsports.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  37. ↑ "NFL Player stats: Kenny Vaccaro (2017)". NFL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  38. ↑ Patra, Kevin (December 21, 2017). "Saints placing safety Kenny Vaccaro on injured reserve". NFL.com.
  39. ↑ "Pro Football Focus: Kenny Vaccaro". profootballfocus.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  40. ↑ Wesseling, Chris (August 4, 2018). "Titans signing safety Kenny Vaccaro to replace Cyprien". NFL.com.
  41. ↑ Bouda, Nate. "Titans S Kenny Vaccaro Out 2-4 Weeks With Dislocated Elbow". NFLTradeRumors. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  42. ↑ "Texas Longhorns Athletics – Kevin Vaccaro". UT Athletics.
  43. ↑ Barnett, Josh (April 10, 2013). "Senior season gets Kenny Vaccaro ready for NFL draft". USA Today.
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