Player Connections
*Linebacker Curtis Lofton was selected in the second round of the 2008 draft by the Falcons and played his first four seasons in Atlanta.
*Quarterback Luke McCown played for Atlanta in 2012.
*McCown and Atlanta kicker Matt Bryant were teammates with the Buccaneers in 2008.
*Kicker Garrett Hartley and Lofton were teammates with Falcons cornerback Dominique Franks at Oklahoma.
*Cornerback Corey White prepped at Dunwoody (Ga.) High School.
*Tackle Bryce Harris was originally signed by the Falcons in 2012 as an undrafted free agent and was placed on their practice squad before being signed by New Orleans to their active roster after week one.
*Tackle Charles Brown and Atlanta tackle Sam Baker were college teammates at the University of Southern California.
*Tight end Benjamin Watson and Falcons cornerback Asante Samuelwere teammates in New England from 2004-07.
*Watson played at the University of Georgia from 2001-03.
*Tackle John Jenkins played at the University of Georgia from 2011-12, where he was a teammate of Falcons linebacker Akeem Dent.
*Running back Mark Ingram and Atlanta guard Mike Johnsonand wide receiver Julio Joneswere teammates at the University of Alabama when Ingram captured the 2009 Heisman Trophy.
*Long snapper Justin Drescher spent part of the 2010 offseason with the Falcons.
*Safety Rafael Bush was signed by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2010 and spent most of his rookie season on their practice squad before appearing in one regular season and on postseason contest.
*Tight end Jimmy Graham and Atlanta punter Matt Bosher and guard Harland Gunn were college teammates at the University of Miami (Fla.)
*Center Brian de la Puente and defensive end Cameron Jordan both played with Falcons safety Thomas DeCoudat the University of California.
*Cornerback Patrick Robinson and tackle Brodrick Bunkley played with Atlanta running abck Antone Smith at Florida State University. Bunkley and Samuel were teammates with the Eagles from 2008-10.
*Atlanta cornerback Robert Alfordprepped at Hammond Magnet High School and starred at Southeastern Louisiana University.
*Cornerback Rod Sweeting prepped at Luella (Ga.) High School before playing for Georgia Tech.
*Wide receiver Nick Toon and Falcons fullback Bradie Ewing were college teammates at Wisconsin.
*Cornerback Keenan Lewis and Atlanta running back Jacquizz Rodgerswere college teammates at Oregon State.
Coaching Connections
*Quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi served as a defensive assistant with the Falcons in 2006.
*Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's father, Dick Nolan, served as head coach of the Saints from 1978-80, guiding the black and gold to their first non-losing season in 1979. Mike Nolan also served as linebackers coach at Louisiana State University in 1986.
*Falcons defensive assistant Mark Collinspreviously served as an assistant at Louisiana-Monroe in 2009. Collins served on the same staff at Michigan with Saints tight ends coach Terry Malonefrom 2003-04.
*Atlanta wide receivers coach Terry Robiskieis a native of Edgard. He lettered four years at LSU and was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Robiskie previously tutored Saints wide receivers coach Henry Ellardwith Washington for his last five NFL seasons from 1994-98.
*Falcons tight ends coach Chris Scelfo is a South Louisiana native who played and coached at Northeastern Louisiana University and served as head coach at Tulane University from 1999-2006.
*Atlanta special teams coach Alex Sutulovich and Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichaelserved on the same coaching staff at Louisiana Tech from 1997-99.
