Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

In an exclusive interview with BlackandGold.com, University of Nebraska Defensive Coordinator, John Papuchis, tells the inside story of why the Saints may have struck gold in the 2nd round of the 2014 NFL draft by taking Stanley Jean Baptiste.

B&G.com: Coach Papuchis, we appreciate your taking the time, especially during this busy recruiting season when you’re trying to land top prospects at the Univ. of Nebraska.

Coach Papuchis: Not a problem; glad to speak with you.

B&G.com: Coach, why do you think the Saints sought to get Stanley Jean Baptiste?

Coach Papuchis: It’s no secret that in the NFL, individual matchups are becoming increasingly important. One of the most important is the cornerback matched up outside vs. the #1 or #2 receiver. Today’s wideouts are taller, faster and more athletic. That means that you have to be able to match size, speed and strength for four quarters of a game. Stanley has unique size, length, maneuverability and speed. This allows him to play man to man, zone, run support, bump and run, or pressing off the line. He has tremendous upside, and has shown the ability to stay with small, quick wideouts as well.

B&G.com: Some have questioned Stanley’s ability to adjust to the ball, or biting on first moves. How will he handle these and other factors in the NFL?

Coach Papuchis: You always have critics who readily give their opinion. Based on my working closely with him, I can say that Stanley has excellent change of direction skills, and his hip movement or quick adjustment on the ball are right there with the best of them. We thought enough of him to recruit him from a junior college (Fort Scott Junior College). Both he and Vontae Davis were recruited from that junior college at the same time.


B&G.com: What qualities about Stanley work to his advantage in making the Saints’ final 53?

Coach Papuchis: He has worked hard to learn the position, and constantly strives to improve. As I mentioned before, he has gifted physical attributes. He spends a lot of time in the video room, and is extremely attentive at all meetings and practices.

B&G.com: You mentioned practice. So, I guess he won’t be like Allen Iverson when he talks to Coach Payton or Coach Rob Ryan about practice, right?

Coach Papuchis: (hearty laugh) No, that won’t happen. Stanley will give it his all in every setting: In the game, and during practice. The coaching staff will find that he’s a pleasure to work with.


B&G.com: What is the most memorable performance you’ve seen from Stanley?

Coach Papuchis: Some may not be aware that he actually converted from WR to DB. So I guess it would have to be the very FIRST game in which he started as a DB. It was a home game vs. Ohio State before 90,000+ rowdy fans in the stands. We were facing a 27-7 deficit, and to get things turned around. We mounted a comeback, but were still down a few points near the end of the game. Stanley made a key interception that set up our game-winner. He came up big on the big stage. Another time was last season vs. Southern Miss. Just before the opening kickoff, Stanley told me “Coach, I’m getting a pick and I’m taking it to the house.” As it turned out, on the third play of the game, Stanley got an interception, and ran it back for a pick-six.


B&G.com: Is Stanley likely to get involved in community outreach?

Coach Papuchis: If what he’s doing here is any indication, I’d say yes. He’s involved in community outreach with kids here in Lincoln, NE. But of course there’s no way I could know that right now; it will be up to him if he carries that through in New Orleans.

B&G.com: What things about Stanley sets him apart from others whose performances tail off down the road?

Coach Papuchis: His size, speed, strength, and mental approach to the game. There are many who have outstanding ability, but don’t continue to pursue and maintain excellence. Stanley is one who will always reach for getting and keeping a competitive edge. He certainly has a burning desire to be great.

B&G.com: What type of player is Stanley on the sidelines, in the locker room and in the game?

Coach Papuchis: On the sidelines and in the locker room, Stanley will give feedback; overall he’s more of a quiet player (vocally). But you get the sense that his teammates like and respect him. He is always positive and upbeat. His actions on and off the field speak volumes as to who Stanley Jean Baptiste is.

B&G.com: What do you expect to see Stanley this season: practice squad; final 53?

Coach Papuchis: With the OTA’s and training camp, the coaching staff will see that he’s a great talent. The Saints didn’t pick him in the 2nd round for him to be an experiment. They expect an immediate return on investment, and Stanley will not disappoint. I see him on the final 53 roster this season. I look forward to watching how things play out with the Saints.

B&G.com: Does Stanley have an adult, parent or sibling that served as a special mentor?

Coach Papuchis: I believe he was fairly close to his high school coach (Mike Tunsil).

B&G.com: Coach Papuchis, we thank you again for taking the time to give us this very informative interview. Here’s to a great upcoming season for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Coach Papuchis: You’re welcome. Good luck to the Saints.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Say what? There is absolutely ZERO chance he'd ever smell a practice squad on any NFL team.

He'd last about 1 second on the waiver wire.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Danno: You have to ask the rhetorical questions (open ended) whenever you interview. It leaves the door open for the full spectrum of a response.

:bng:

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Great interview. I'm excited about the guy but if WWL calls him Jean (like blue jeans) one more time....

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.6080...755180&pid=1.7

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

I will admit, I haven't been so high on SJB. But watching that highlight reel, the way he hits and tackles, I feel a lot better about him. You can see him baiting the QB a couple times into throwing a short pass, and before the ball even gets to the WR he is there waiting to smack him in the teeth. I like that a lot.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

But that is how he pronounces it.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Cut him then.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

But thats culturist!:p

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Doesn't he have a Haitian heritage? Pronouncing it wrong is culturist!

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Remember another three named person named Jean? Billy Jean King.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

He won't be a "shut down" corner. He will be good though. I'm excited about him.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

He has the potential to be a very good CB, the only thing that is a concern is his overall speed. I am looking forward to seeing how he does against guys like Roddy White and Julio Jones. Not to mention those giant receivers down in Tampa. Should be interesting.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Richard Sherman wasn't a lockdown CB when he was drafted.
SJB has the skills to be, but so do about 10 other CBs drafted this year

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Good read. Just make the team

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Excited for our secondary, you know that Payton chose SJB partly because he used to be a wide receiver and therefore should have good hands, SP wants turnovers and he wants them now

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Remember 40 times aren't what is most important. Game time speed is what matters most.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

i chuckle at the term shutdown. he has a chance to develop into a good CB and generate his share of INT. But in no way does he have the quickness to claim the title of shut down.

as the nfl baby the offense more and more and passing slowly takes over the nfl forever, can you say Canadian brand football?, CB will be placed more and more into a true man coverage and the term shutting down a side of the field will be a thing of past.

SJB is that type of player. he will get assigned a couple of players and told to stay away from a few of the remaining WR.

last thing we as fans want to see is SJB man on man with a WR that is both fast and quick. much like lewis you know in the course of a game they will get burned.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

If a player has the proper technique and positioning he can indeed be a shutdown corner. Nnamdi was never a burner, neither is Revis or Sherman. They all succeeded by being technically sound and fundamental. If Stanley works hard at his craft he can become a shutdown corner.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

40 times are vastly overrated. So much of it depends on how quickly you come off the start. He improved his 40 to a high 4.4 at his pro day so it goes to show what a crap shoot that is. I've watched his highlights and he's fast on the field, that's all I care about.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

EXACTLY!! He already has the tools he just needs proper refinement. Remember Rob Ryan took a Safety and made him one of the top cover corners for like a 6 season stretch. The Kid has a chance to be special otherwise they wouldn't have drafted him.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

exactly it is the quickness that worries me. then speed

Sherman is not what i call a shut down corner

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Just remember Jason David ran a 4.3-40 and he was always getting burned. While My Favorite Saints CB Mike McKenzie probably a 4.5, 4.4 but he was able to shutdown his assigned WR.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

The best thing about drafting SJB is that the 49ers didn't get him.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

ahhh the king of toast. oh yeah i remember him. football IQ was exposed in the pros

Big Mike. now here is a great example of what a high football IQ at CB is all about

I like your choice of players here

Thus enters the wild card that truly governs everything with SJB. will he develop the football IQ to make that kind of impact. he should be a solid CB but how good rests here IMO.

That is were he is hard to judge. 2 years at DB is hardly a glimpse of what may or may not be there.

I like the risk factors on football IQ. his ability to still come up with solid Int numbers despite just moving over to the other side may just pay off.

This is why i am not going to over hype the kid but sit back and watch him grow and give the kid a fair chance to develop.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

But what SJB has going in his favor is that SJB still has the mindset of a receiver and knows what routes a receiver will be running and that will help him defend receivers.

Re: Stanley Jean Baptiste: Is he NFL Shutdown Caliber?
 

Does he even have a grass stain on his uniform yet?