Inside the Game: Saints vs Lions Connections

New Orleans running back Mark Ingram attended Flint Southwestern Academy as a high school senior in 2007.

Oct 15, 2017 at 12:00 AM

New Orleans running back Mark Ingram II attended Flint Southwestern Academy as a high school senior in 2007 and earned All-State and Detroit Free Press Offensive Dream Team honors after rushing for 1,699 yards and 24 touchdowns, also registering 84 tackles with eight interceptions on defense. Ingram attended Grand Blanc (Flint, Mich.) High School from 2003-06, where he ran for 846 yards and 14 touchdowns on 121 carries (7.0 avg.) as a junior, adding 260 yards and two scores on 22 receptions (11.8 avg.), while posting 33 tackles with two interceptions as a cornerback.

Saints safety Rafael Bush played for Detroit in 2016 and played in all 16 games with four starts, recording 48 tackles (31 solo), one sack, two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, three passes defensed and five special teams tackles. Bush and Lions kicker Matt Prater were teammates in both Denver and Detroit.

New Orleans guard Larry Warford was a third round draft pick (65th overall) of the Lions in 2013 out of the University of Kentucky and opened 57 games over four seasons.

Lions guard Tim Lelito was signed as an undrafted free agent by New Orleans in 2013 and played for the Saints from 2013-16.

Saints linebacker Gabe Martin prepped at Grand Blanc (Flint, Mich.) high school.

Saints Quarterbacks Coach Joe Lombardi served as offensive coordinator of the Lions from 2014-15.

New Orleans guard John Greco played at Toledo.

New Orleans Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen tutored Detroit cornerback DJ Hayden for two seasons when he was head coach in Oakland from 2013-14.

Saints safety Chris Banjo and Lions guard T.J. Lang were teammates in Green Bay.

Lions safety Glover Quin prepped at North Pike (McComb, Miss.) High School and also played at Southwest Mississippi Junior College.

New Orleans defensive end Cameron Jordan and Detroit wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. were college teammates at the University of California.

Saints Offensive Line Coach Dan Roushar enjoyed a six-year stint at Michigan State from 2007-12, where he served as offensive coordinator/tight ends coach his final two seasons.

New Orleans fullback Zach Line attended Oxford (Mich.) High School, where he was an All-State selection after rushing for 1,723 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior.

Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman played with Detroit defensive lineman George Johnson and linebacker Steve Longa at Rutgers.

Saints Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Dan Campbell played for the Lions from 2006-08.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara and Detroit linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin were college teammates at Tennessee.

New Orleans linebacker Manti T'eo, Detroit running back Theo Riddick and wide receiver Golden Tate were college teammates at Notre Dame.

New Orleans safety Vonn Bell, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, wide receiver Michael Thomas and Detroit tackle Taylor Decker were college teammates at Ohio State.

Lions tackle Greg Robinson prepped at Thibodaux High School.

Saints wide receiver Drew Brees prepped at Muskegon Heights (Mich.) High School.

Lions Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Line Ron Prince tutored Coleman in 2013 at Rutgers where he served as offensive coordinator. Coleman was also tutored with the Scarlet Knights by Lions Special Teams Assistant Casey Fitzsimmons, a Folsom, La. native who served as an offensive assistant.

New Orleans tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, Detroit defensive end Akeem Spence and safety Tavon Wilson were college teammates at Illinois. Hoomanawanui and Wilson were teammates in New England also.

Saints Senior Defensive Assistant Peter Giunta and Detroit Senior Coaching Assistant Gunther Cunningham served on the same defensive coaching staff in Kansas City.

Detroit Special Teams Coordinator Joe Marciano coached special teams in New Orleans from 1986-95.

Lions Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Harold Nash Jr. is a New Orleans native who attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana and joined the football team as a walk-on, where he played defensive back for four seasons.

Saints linebacker Nate Stupar and Detroit linebacker Paul Worrilow were teammates in Atlanta.

New Orleans center Max Unger and Tate were teammates with the Seattle Seahawks from 2010-13.

Detroit Tight Ends Coach Al Golden served as New Orleans defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad's head coach at the University of Miami (Fla.) from 2013-15.

Willie Snead IV prepped at Muskegon Heights (Mich.) High School...Lions Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Line Ron Prince tutored Coleman in 2013 at Rutgers where he served as offensive coordinator. Coleman was also tutored with the Scarlet Knights by Lions Special Teams Assistant Casey Fitzsimmons, a Folsom, La. native who served as an offensive assistant…New Orleans tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, Detroit defensive end Akeem Spence and safety Tavon Wilson were college teammates at Illinois. Hoomanawanui and Wilson were teammates in New England also....Saints Senior Defensive Assistant Peter Giunta and Detroit Senior Coaching Assistant Gunther Cunningham served on the same defensive coaching staff in Kansas City...Detroit Special Teams Coordinator Joe Marciano coached special teams in New Orleans from 1986-95... Lions Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Harold Nash Jr. is a New Orleans native who attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana and joined the football team as a walk-on, where he played defensive back for four seasons…Saints linebacker Nate Stupar and Detroit linebacker Paul Worrilow were teammates in Atlanta…New Orleans center Max Unger and Tate were teammates with the Seattle Seahawks from 2010-13...Detroit Tight Ends Coach Al Golden served as New Orleans defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad's head coach at the University of Miami (Fla.) from 2013-15.-LIONS CONNECTIONS New Orleans running back Mark Ingram attended Flint Southwestern Academy as a high school senior in 2007 and earned All-State and Detroit Free Press Offensive Dream Team honors after rushing for 1,699 yards and 24 touchdowns, also registering 84 tackles with eight interceptions on defense. Ingram attended Grand Blanc (Flint, Mich.) High School from 2003-06, where he ran for 846 yards and 14 touchdowns on 121 carries (7.0 avg.) as a junior, adding 260 yards and two scores on 22 receptions (11.8 avg.), while posting 33 tackles with two interceptions as a cornerback…Saints safety Rafael Bush played for Detroit in 2016 and played in all16 games with four starts, recording 48 tackles (31 solo), one sack, two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, three passes defensed and five special teams tackles. Bush and Lions kicker Matt Prater were teammates in both Denver and Detroit… New Orleans guard Larry Warford was a third round draft pick (65th overall) of the Lions in 2013 out of the University of Kentucky and opened 57 games over four seasons… Lions guard Tim Lelito was signed as an undrafted free agent by New Orleans in 2013 and played for the Saints from 2013-16...Saints linebacker Gabe Martin prepped at Grand Blanc (Flint, Mich.) high school...Saints Quarterbacks Coach Joe Lombardi served as offensive coordinator of the Lions from 2014-15...New Orleans guard John Greco played at Toledo...New Orleans Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen tutored Detroit cornerback DJ Hayden for two seasons when he was head coach in Oakland from 2013-14...Saints safety Chris Banjo and Lions guard T.J. Lang were teammates in Green Bay...Lions safety Glover Quin prepped at North Pike (McComb, Miss.) High School and also played at Southwest Mississippi Junior College...New Orleans defensive end Cameron Jordan and Detroit wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. were college teammates at the University of California...Saints Offensive Line Coach Dan Roushar enjoyed a six-year stint at Michigan State from 2007-12, where he served as offensive coordinator/tight ends coach his final two seasons...New Orleans fullback Zach Line attended Oxford (Mich.) High School, where he was an All-State selection after rushing for 1,723 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior...Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman played with Detroit defensive lineman George Johnson and linebacker Steve Longa at Rutgers...Saints Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Dan Campbell played for the Lions from 2006-08...Saints running back Alvin Kamara and Detroit linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin were college teammates at Tennessee...New Orleans linebacker Manti T'eo, Detroit running back Theo Riddick and wide receiver Golden Tate were college teammates at Notre Dame...New Orleans safety Vonn Bell, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, wide receiver Michael Thomas and Detroit tackle Taylor Decker were college teammates at Ohio State...Lions tackle Greg Robinson prepped at Thibodaux High School...Saints wide
receiver Willie Snead IV prepped at Muskegon Heights (Mich.) High School...Lions Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Line Ron Prince tutored Coleman in 2013 at Rutgers where he served as offensive coordinator. Coleman was also tutored with the Scarlet Knights by Lions Special Teams Assistant Casey Fitzsimmons, a Folsom, La. native who served as an offensive assistant…New Orleans tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, Detroit defensive end Akeem Spence and safety Tavon Wilson were college teammates at Illinois. Hoomanawanui and Wilson were teammates in New England also....Saints Senior Defensive Assistant Peter Giunta and Detroit Senior Coaching Assistant Gunther Cunningham served on the same defensive coaching staff in Kansas City...Detroit Special Teams Coordinator Joe Marciano coached special teams in New Orleans from 1986-95... Lions Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Harold Nash Jr. is a New Orleans native who attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana and joined the football team as a walk-on, where he played defensive back for four seasons…Saints linebacker Nate Stupar and Detroit linebacker Paul Worrilow were teammates in Atlanta…New Orleans center Max Unger and Tate were teammates with the Seattle Seahawks from 2010-13...Detroit Tight Ends Coach Al Golden served as New Orleans defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad's head coach at the University of Miami (Fla.) from 2013-15.SAINTS-LIONS CONNECTIONS New Orleans running back Mark Ingram attended Flint Southwestern Academy as a high school senior in 2007 and earned All-State and Detroit Free Press Offensive Dream Team honors after rushing for 1,699 yards and 24 touchdowns, also registering 84 tackles with eight interceptions on defense. Ingram attended Grand Blanc (Flint, Mich.) High School from 2003-06, where he ran for 846 yards and 14 touchdowns on 121 carries (7.0 avg.) as a junior, adding 260 yards and two scores on 22 receptions (11.8 avg.), while posting 33 tackles with two interceptions as a cornerback…Saints safety Rafael Bush played for Detroit in 2016 and played in all16 games with four starts, recording 48 tackles (31 solo), one sack, two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, three passes defensed and five special teams tackles. Bush and Lions kicker Matt Prater were teammates in both Denver and Detroit… New Orleans guard Larry Warford was a third round draft pick (65th overall) of the Lions in 2013 out of the University of Kentucky and opened 57 games over four seasons… Lions guard Tim Lelito was signed as an undrafted free agent by New Orleans in 2013 and played for the Saints from 2013-16...Saints linebacker Gabe Martin prepped at Grand Blanc (Flint, Mich.) high school...Saints Quarterbacks Coach Joe Lombardi served as offensive coordinator of the Lions from 2014-15...New Orleans guard John Greco played at Toledo...New Orleans Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen tutored Detroit cornerback DJ Hayden for two seasons when he was head coach in Oakland from 2013-14...Saints safety Chris Banjo and Lions guard T.J. Lang were teammates in Green Bay...Lions safety Glover Quin prepped at North Pike (McComb, Miss.) High School and also played at Southwest Mississippi Junior College...New Orleans defensive end Cameron Jordan and Detroit wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. were college teammates at the University of California...Saints Offensive Line Coach Dan Roushar enjoyed a six-year stint at Michigan State from 2007-12, where he served as offensive coordinator/tight ends coach his final two seasons...New Orleans fullback Zach Line attended Oxford (Mich.) High School, where he was an All-State selection after rushing for 1,723 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior...Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman played with Detroit defensive lineman George Johnson and linebacker Steve Longa at Rutgers...Saints Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Dan Campbell played for the Lions from 2006-08...Saints running back Alvin Kamara and Detroit linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin were college teammates at Tennessee...New Orleans linebacker Manti T'eo, Detroit running back Theo Riddick and wide receiver Golden Tate were college teammates at Notre Dame...New Orleans safety Vonn Bell, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, wide receiver Michael Thomas and Detroit tackle Taylor Decker were college teammates at Ohio State...Lions tackle Greg Robinson prepped at Thibodaux High School...Saints wide
receiver Willie Snead IV prepped at Muskegon Heights (Mich.) High School...Lions Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Line Ron Prince tutored Coleman in 2013 at Rutgers where he served as offensive coordinator. Coleman was also tutored with the Scarlet Knights by Lions Special Teams Assistant Casey Fitzsimmons, a Folsom, La. native who served as an offensive assistant…New Orleans tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, Detroit defensive end Akeem Spence and safety Tavon Wilson were college teammates at Illinois. Hoomanawanui and Wilson were teammates in New England also....Saints Senior Defensive Assistant Peter Giunta and Detroit Senior Coaching Assistant Gunther Cunningham served on the same defensive coaching staff in Kansas City...Detroit Special Teams Coordinator Joe Marciano coached special teams in New Orleans from 1986-95... Lions Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Harold Nash Jr. is a New Orleans native who attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana and joined the football team as a walk-on, where he played defensive back for four seasons…Saints linebacker Nate Stupar and Detroit linebacker Paul Worrilow were teammates in Atlanta…New Orleans center Max Unger and Tate were teammates with the Seattle Seahawks from 2010-13...Detroit Tight Ends Coach Al Golden served as New Orleans defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad's head coach at the University of Miami (Fla.) from 2013-15.

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