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After a bumpy rookie year, Stanley Jean-Baptiste is looking to make an impact in his second season with the Saints


Stanley Jean-Baptiste was unaware of the two reporters lurking by his locker.
He got dressed, made a phone call, and worked his way through a conversation, never expecting an interview request. It wasn’t until a member of the New Orleans Saints public relations staff informed him that he finally looked up and happily obliged.

Baptiste wasn’t disturbed by reporters often last season. As packs of people gathered around Kenny Vaccaro or Keenan Lewis’ stalls in that corner of the locker room, Jean-Baptiste was mostly left alone.

That’s just the way his rookie season unfolded. The second-round pick was inactive for most games. Out of sight, out of mind. Now, though, Jean-Baptiste is ready to take the stage.

The mental bumps and bruises and lessons of his first season now absorbed, he believes he’s positioned himself to earn snaps and find a way to contribute during his second season.

Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON--New Orleans Saints cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste (23) practices in Metairie, La. Thursday, May 28, 2015.
Nick Underhill| nunderhill@theadvocate.com

“I’m real comfortable now, so we’re going to see how it works out,” Jean-Baptiste said. “I’m just more relaxed. Better understanding of the playbook.”

The understand is the biggest development for Jean-Baptiste. He openly admits he didn’t understand what was going on at times last season — both on the field and his role on them.

He didn’t understand why he wasn’t on the field. and no one ever explained to him that he was going to basically redshirt as a rookie and wait his turn. So, he worked behind the scenes and tried to find ways to get better.

“It was hard. I wanted to play — everybody wants to play — but at the same time. I didn’t know what the coaches were doing, but I understand it,” Jean-Baptiste said. “They got plans for me. I’m just here to be a part of the team and help out any way I can.”

Things feel different now. Jean-Baptiste seems comfortable with his place on the team and with the information he’s being asked to process. There were times last year when he struggled to pick things up.

It helps that the team has trimmed down the playbook and tossed out some of the concepts that did not work last season, but Jean-Baptiste says he feels like he’s better able to absorb information and understand what’s going on. His teammates have noticed the difference and believe he’s playing with more confidence.

After a bumpy rookie year, Stanley Jean-Baptiste is looking to make an impact in his second season with the Saints | Saints | The New Orleans Advocate — New Orleans, Louisiana

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"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins