What is DA's message to the team?

Exactly. If you think you are doing the right things that will eventually get you to where you want to be, keep it up. Thats how DA operates, thats how he wanted his team to operate, so thats how he communicated. It's a process that doesn't always provide immediate results. It's a process that may take a year or two to fall in place. Makes total sense. Made sense then, makes sense now. He had to go with what he had at those moments. The last thing you want to do is become desperate. While some suggest the team was falling apart, I tend to think he was holding it together. Having the defense in his corner and believing in the process helped too.
Absolutely. Some people including myself at first, wanted a more Rex Ryan / Gruden type coach that gave an impression that they would handle any issues. And be a funny charismatic face of the Saints for the National media. But knowing that DA has built and maintained a dominant D for years, it’s apparent that the aforementioned type isn’t required, and may end up more as a distraction. Grudens issues, Sean Paytons myriad of issues, etc. The last person anyone would suspect as being a distraction is Da. And that’s a great thing. Klint Kubiak is also the same way, they’re ying and yang, both with taskmaster personalities. Guys that are so focussed on the plan being accomplished, and everything else is just noise. We want this type as the Saints HC. Plus he’s been here 16 years, or so, so he’s naturally Nawlins by now! Lol.