METAIRIE, La. -- When coach Sean Payton was asked how the New Orleans Saints avoid total panic after an 0-3 start, he first dismissed the premise of the question:
"Well, it’s not 'totally panic.' That wouldn’t be a good description or comparison at all," Payton said.
Then Payton pointed to a photo that was published by NOLA.com's David Grunfeld during last week’s loss at Carolina that brilliantly captured the reaction of defenders Hau'oli Kikaha, Damian Swann and Michael Mauti on the sideline as Saints receiver Willie Snead dropped a pass in front of them during a crucial fourth-quarter drive.
This pic by @DavidGrunfeld pretty much sums it up for #Saints pic.twitter.com/vNWkD32NA1
— Jennifer Armstrong (@JArmstrong504) September 27, 2015"The photo says everything," Payton said. "I saw it the next morning and it gets you fired up. We’ve got a good group that are grinding, preparing. And that gets you fired up to go to work. You see these guys and the expression on everyone’s face, you go back and look at that play on the coach’s video, you see the bench and you know you’re in your final drive.
"These guys understand it’s a business, they understand the importance of wins and losses. But they also understand, most importantly, the process Wednesday through Friday, and preparing leading up to the game. So I’m pleased with how these guys are handling their job. We have to keep finding ways, though, to not repeat things that keep you from winning."
Payton and Saints players have insisted they like the attitude and atmosphere this season in the locker room -- issues that became big problems in 2014. But Payton and players have also stressed that can only take you so far.
"It's a lot better to come to work in this atmosphere than it was last year," offensive tackle Zach Strief said after the loss at Carolina. "But at the end of the day, if we don't find a way to win, this culture will change again, because none of us are going to be here."