New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton
Conference Call with New Orleans Media
Thursday, September 15, 2016
What did you guys see out of Jake Stoneburner? Why did you bring him in?
"Number 1, he is smart, he is versatile. We think he does a few things very well. Dan Campbell has exposure having been with him before. (It) Made sense for us right now. The versatility is number 1."
How ready do you think Chris Manhertz is to contribute if you guys needed him this week?
"Our job each week is to get these guys ready for a gameplan. Whether you're looking at Chris (Manhertz) or the other two young guys we've discussed already. We would have a specific role we think would tailor their skill set."
How do you think Craig Robertson is coming along?
"He (Robertson) is active and he is smart. He is someone who obviously, we think can play very well in the base downs. He is also someone who can contribute in the sub (packages) and the kicking game. I thought he played probably pretty good last week. Considering the amount of snaps, he played which would be more than initially planned. I thought he ran well. I thought the call at the end of the game was, I've already talked about it. I thought he played it perfectly. It is just how we coach it. I think overall, for the amount of snaps he played and obviously, there is going to be some cut back on snaps when you are playing that many on defense and the kicking game. He has been a real good addition for us."
How did you guys like the effectiveness of Senio Kelemete as the extra lineman?
"Good, we feel like that's a role that we have had here in the past, especially with the injury. We practiced and had a handful of situations. I think Tim (Lelito) has done it before and is someone that is comfortable in that."
Do you expect Sterling Moore to be up to speed for what you need and play this weekend?
"We have a bunch of these guys and they are all receiving reps. (Brian)Dixon has been with us a while and is on the practice squad. (B.W.) Webb, who we just signed (is receiving reps). All of them we will train and we will kind of as we get further along in the week keep you guys posted as to who we are going to play."
Fans know the name Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz but might not be so familiar with Sterling Shepard, the rookie. What do you remember seeing from him in a scouting report leading up to the draft?
"Here is what we saw at Oklahoma, quick feet he reminded me a little bit of the receiver at Green Bay out of Kentucky his rookie year, Randall Cobb, very good when the quarterback flushes. He is someone that has real good sense of man and zone awareness. He was highly graded and I'm sure not just on our board, but on a lot of boards because of his versatility. You just saw it time and time again when you saw him play, so I'm not surprised at all to see him in their starting lineup when they're in three receiver sets. He presents a challenge when he is inside or when he is outside."
