Snap Counts: Using three safeties has become the "base" defense for New Orleans Saints (1 Viewer)

[Andrus]

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. – For years now, the rise of the passing game and the influence of the spread offense have limited the snaps an NFL team takes in its so-called "base" defense.

Halfway into the season, it has become clear that the "base" defense for the New Orleans Saints involves three safeties: Kenny Vaccaro, Vonn Bell and Jairus Byrd.

All three safeties played every one of the 60 defensive snaps the Saints took against San Francisco on Sunday, usually with Byrd playing deep in a zone and Vaccaro, Bell or sometimes both around the line of scrimmage.

Vaccaro led the Saints with nine tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery; Byrd came in second with eight tackles, including several key stops coming forward against the 49ers' short passing game; and Bell finished with four tackles, half a sack, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery.

BY JOEL A. ERICKSON

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