Individual soap operas compound Saints' dismal start - NOLA.com

There have been two losses and three individual sagas during the New Orleans Saints' first couple weeks of the regular season.

First, Willie Snead suspended three games by the NFL for his DWI arrest in June leading up to the season opener at Minnesota. Then, there was the drama with Adrian Peterson's death stare at Sean Payton for the running back's lack of touches against his former team.

In the next episode of "As Airline Drive Turns," Payton benched Kenny Vaccaro, who'd been the subject of trade reports, during the Patriots' demolition of the Saints.

Each plot twist has presented a unique challenge, and each tale deserves a chapter in the brief history of the 2017 Saints.

First, Snead's absence has hampered the offense more than anyone would have imagined.

It left a bigger target on Michael Thomas' back. Brandon Coleman and Tommylee Lewis have had their moments the first two weeks, but the Vikings and the Patriots never feared either of those wideouts. Same for Ted Ginn Jr.

"Willie, he's a talented player," Thomas said. "But we also have a lot of depth and a lot of guys that can come in and contribute. Of course, Willie is a talented player all around. He makes tough catches, and he has a lot of respect in this league. I miss him. I'm sure everyone else misses him. Some things happen so you have to go with that and still find ways to put up points."

Thomas also made sure to mention how much teams have bracketed him with multiple defenders the first two weeks, especially in the red zone.

At least there's a solution on the horizon as Snead is eligible to return for the Dolphins game in London in two weeks.

The Peterson situation, on the other hand, has been self-induced by the Saints.

It was obvious Peterson was ticked off he didn't get a proper opportunity to show up his former team at Minnesota. He publicly stated he didn't sign up for nine snaps per game, before adopting a more diplomatic tone for the Patriots game. Yet, the hurt feelings still lingered. 

Why put up with a backup running back complaining about carries? The Saints have to because it's Adrian Peterson.

Peterson again was at the bottom of the pecking order as he got 16 snaps, compared with Mark Ingram's 35 and rookie Alvin Kamara's 17 plays vs. New England. 

This distraction should fade soon as Ingram assumes the mantle of top back and Kamara as the third-down option.

This latest move by Payton to bench Vaccaro during the home opener added another layer of intrigue.

Payton said he sat Vaccaro because of poor play the first two weeks. Still, the trip to the sideline stunned Vaccaro.

Yes, Vaccaro has been a liability at times. But who hasn't on that defense?

DeVante Harris became the scapegoat on the blown coverage that led to Vikings wideout Stefan Diggs' first scoring reception. But Vaccaro bit on play-action, allowing Diggs a free route and easy catch. The Saints' former 2013 first-round pick admitted he was to blame after the game.

Vaccaro struggled in coverage against Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (who doesn't?). Gronk dropped a potential touchdown against Vaccaro, and Payton had enough when an official flagged Vaccaro for holding Gronk to negate Vaccaro's interception.

The Saints' safety tried to go back in the game. Payton turned to him and parked him on the sideline. Cornerback Sterling Moore tugged on Vaccaro's shoulder pads to prevent further confrontation. This was more of a testy exchange on the sideline than the Payton-Peterson staredown in Minnesota.

"Part of it's also trying to get some snaps to Vonn Bell," Payton said Monday when asked about Vaccaro's benching. "Two weeks ago we were in some Buffalo three-safety looks. We were not in as much of that (Sunday). That is something that I made the decision on and yet he was back in the game fairly shortly afterwards."

This is true, but it was because Bell left with an injury. Not because it was part of the plan.

We've watched Payton yank players before. He reduced Vaccaro's role temporarily in 2014 and benched Ingram for a game in 2016.

"We have to keep working with his consistency and alignments," Payton said of Vaccaro. "I think I know he feels like he can play better. But we'll continue to get those guys work. He is going to be important to our success."

How the Saints and Vaccaro handle this situation moving forward will be interesting.

Vaccaro isn't the only defender having issues. Could this be a motivational tool by Payton?

This incident could linger if fences can't be quickly mended.

Vaccaro is in the final year of his rookie deal ($5.7 million base salary) and ended last season suspended for the final four games after testing positive for Adderall.

These three situations aren't the main reasons for the Saints' ugly 0-2 start. It just seems like we're seeing more individual drama earlier in a Saints season than normal.

We're at the point of asking, what's next on "As Airline Drive Turns"?

As opposed to "How can the Saints turn it around?" 

*****

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