Kenny Vaccaro is now the best nickel in the FBS
I think we can all guess what led to this. I'm thankful that he won't be playing in the Big 12, that dude was born to ruin spread offenses.
3 days ago
Nickel Rover
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not sure if there's
a bigger Vaccaro homer than me, but I’m not ready to put him over Mathieu. Not as of last year, at least.
by Nickel Rover on Aug 12, 2025 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm probably just bitter
after having to endure Musburger saying “honey badger” about 63,000 times.
Plus are we going by quality of play, or general importance to team?
by Flipteach on Aug 13, 2025 12:04 AM CDT up reply actions
either
For erasing a receiver in man-coverage I’d probably take Vaccaro but for overall game-impact I’d take honey badger. Incredibly instinctive player, amazing ball-stripper, great blitzer, and a fierce and rangy tackler as well.
by Nickel Rover on Aug 13, 2025 8:04 AM CDT up reply actions
vaccaro
I think it depends on your system. If you are primarily a zone team Badger probably a better fit. I like Vaccaro better, because I like the coverage aspect. You need to hide Badger in a secondary. You do not want him man to man on wrs. I think a lot of his value was garnered from being surrounded by a great defense
by codaxx on Aug 13, 2025 10:11 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
LSU
was not a zone team. This is the team that produced Morris Claiborne and Patrick Peterson, you might recall.
And they weren’t hiding Honey Badger. The only reason he played in the nickel is because it allowed him to dominate all over the field.
Holgorsen thought he was the best defensive player they faced last year.
by Nickel Rover on Aug 13, 2025 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions
meh.
I’ll defer to your judgement on football matters.
(I still like Vaccaro as a player for UT. If he wasn’t there I’d be very nervous about young LBs and young safeties.)
by Flipteach on Aug 13, 2025 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
losing him would have made a huge difference. Very glad to have him back for another year.
by Nickel Rover on Aug 13, 2025 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Badger
I would not want him isolated on WRs in the Big 12. Bama went after him in the NC and was successful. I know LSU is not a zone team. I just feel his best use is in a zone. He is at his best when free lancing. Great anticipation.
by codaxx on Aug 13, 2025 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Or
I should say he is at his best in open space where he can use his instincts and not when locked up on a wr
by codaxx on Aug 13, 2025 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm with you Nickel
Love me some Vaccaro, but on the field, Mathieu was more valuable. Think about what he contributed as punt returner. I’m thinking for Les to throw him off, this had to be more than just pot…
by Bocklove on Aug 12, 2025 10:53 PM CDT reply actions
Lynn McGruder approves of this message.
by Cirque Du Salado on Aug 13, 2025 7:46 AM CDT up reply actions
In McGruder's defense
He actually turned his shit around. He received the Big 12 Sportsman of the Year Award in 2003 and was nominated for the Football Writers Association’s Most Courageous Award.
But, yeah, I see your point.
by NateHeupel on Aug 14, 2025 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions
McNeese St
it looks like.
I guess he’ll play there a year and hope that his diminuitive size and smaller brain don’t keep NFL teams from drafting him.
Thank God he won’t be at OU.
by Nickel Rover on Aug 13, 2025 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions
give it two years.
then we’ll talk.
If You See Kay, Oh You
by texfan23 on Aug 13, 2025 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions
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