New Orleans Saints 2014 Defensive Grades
Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) fumbles the ball after a hit by New Orleans Saints free safety Jairus Byrd (31) in the first half of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Saints recovered the ball in the end zone. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans was billed during the preseason to have arguably the best safety tandem in the NFL. Things didn’t go as expected in the third level of the defense. Byrd was injured, Vaccaro faced a devastating sophomore slump and four safeties ended up on Injured reserve.
With so many injuries the secondary of the Saints was never able to form a solid, cohesive unit that was able to work together. The good news is the defensive side of the football is still very young, and there is hope that the problems of the 2014 season won’t carry on into 2015.
Starters:
New Orleans Saints. KENNY VACCARO. D+. Vaccaro was very disappointed with his sophomore performance if his end of the season interviews are any indication. He regressed more than any other starter from the 2013 season and the team will need him to return to form if they hope to have success next season. Vaccaro had less tackles (74), less run stuffs (1) and less pass deflections(5) than in the previous season in which he played one less game. Vaccaro struggled with tackling as well, something that was one of his staples previously.. SS
Even though Bush ended up on injured reserve, he did his best to fill in for the superstar safety Jairus Byrd. 55 tackles set a career high for the young safety, and he only managed to play 10 games. It turned to the Saints advantage to match the Falcon’s price they offered to pay during the offseason.. FS. New Orleans Saints. RAFAEL BUSH. C
New Orleans Saints. PIERRE WARREN. C+. Another UDFA saw significant portions of time due to injuries. Warren’s best game came against Chicago where he was able to grab two interceptions. Last offseason the Saints cut Warren, but I believe it would be safe to assume that he won’t have to worry about that as much going into next season.. FS
Reserves: (Players who saw limited snaps/playing time)
Mickey Loomis and company made a splash bringing in the high profile Byrd, but the highly touted safety only saw 4 games in a black and gold uniform before heading to injured reserve. When he was on the field it was clear that Byrd was adjusting to the new system, playbook and players he was surrounded with. I’m confident that next season could provide Byrd an opportunity to re-emerge as a legitimate playmaker in the secondary. He’ll turn 29 during the 2015 season, so any impact needs to come sooner rather than later.. FS. New Orleans Saints. JAIRUS BYRD. D+
New Orleans Saints. VINNIE SUNSERI. B. Sunseri is the kind of player who studies the game and does whatever you ask of him. He isn’t the most athletic, the fastest or the biggest, but he makes plays. We saw him be explosive on special teams and even make some nice plays when his number was called in the secondary. The young safety was the lone bright spot defensively from the 2014 draft class. His health was a concern coming into the NFL, and hopefully he can remain healthy going forward.. SS
D. Ball came to the Saints as a product of the CFL and managed to make the 53 man roster. After reviewing his performance, I’m unsure if he’ll remain with the team next season. He will be 28 this upcoming season and there are other young safeties (like Sunseri and Warren) who are in a very crowded secondary. Ball’s on the field performances left a lot to be desired as almost any highly you find will be from the preseason.. S. New Orleans Saints. MARCUS BALL
C-. Sanford was brought onto the team after injuries had wrecked havoc on a defense that was already dealing with low morale. Sanford recorded 14 tackles in 6 games and is another candidate for the chopping block as the Saints will look to make room to allow their injured players to return.. S. New Orleans Saints. JAMARCA SANFORD
That is it for the Defensive grades for the 2014 season. It was a tough year, and while a few players had good seasons, the overall poor play of the defense muddied their efforts. There are solid pieces available for Rob Ryan to turn around this unit if they can add a couple of players in certain positions.
Number 2 corner is going to be a top priority for New Orleans, as well as adding to their depleted linebacking group. What did you think of our grades here at the Believer? Got any questions or comments? Leave them down below. Who Dat and God Bless.