Player Connections
*New Orleans TE Jimmy Grahamattended Charis Preparatory (Goldsboro, N.C.) Academy, where he played basketball, football, baseball and tennis.
*Saints CB Jabari Greerand Edwards were teammates in Buffalo from 2004-05.
*New Orleans LB Curtis Loftonand Carolina TE Ben Hartsockwere teammates with the Atlanta Falcons in 2008.Â
*Lofton and Panthers DE Frank Alexanderwere college teammates at Oklahoma in 2007.
*Alexander is a Baton Rouge native and attended Southern Laboratory School.
*Saints S Roman Harperwas coached by Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Shulaat the University of Alabama from 2003-05.
*Carolina WR Brandon LaFellplayed at LSU, where he posted 175 career receptions for 2,517 yards and 25 touchdowns, ranking second in school history in receiving touchdowns, third in receptions and fifth in receiving yards, leading the school in receiving yardage each season from 2007-09.
*T Charles Brownand Panthers C Ryan Kalilwere college teammates at the University of Southern California.
*New Orleans S Rafael Bushprepped at Williston-Elko (Williston, S.C.) HS and played at South Carolina State.
*Saints RB Darren Sprolesand Panthers FB Mike Tolbertwere teammates in San Diego from 2008-10.
*S Malcolm Jenkinsand Panthers WR Ted Ginn Jr.were teammates at Ohio State.
*OLB Parys Haralsonand Ginn Jr. were teammates in San Francisco.
*NT John Jenkinsand Carolina WR Tavarres Kingwere teammates at Georgia.
*Carolina C Brian Folkertswent to training camp with the Saints in 2013.
*ILB Kevin Reddickis a New Bern native who played at North Carolina with Panthers G Travis Bond.
*WR Robert Meachemand Panthers G Chris Scottwere teammates at Tennessee
Coaching Connections
*Panthers defensive line coach Eric Washingtonplayed tight end at Grambling State from 1989-90 and served on the same coaching staff at Texas A&M with Saints defensive line Coach Bill Johnsonin 1997.
*New Orleans running backs coach Bret Ingallsand Washington served on the same coaching staff at Northwestern from 2006-07. Johnson tutored Panthers DT Ron Edwardswith the Aggies from 1997-99.
*New Orleans special teams coordinator Greg McMahonserved as tight ends coach on the East Carolina coaching staff in 2005.
*New Orleans director of player programs Fred McAfeealso played for Shula when he served as offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1999.
*Carolina defensive quality control coach/assistant defensive line Sam Mills IIIis the son of former Saints standout linebacker Sam Mills, who played for New Orleans from 1986-94 and is a member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.
*Panthers offensive line coach John Matskoserved in the same position in New Orleans from 1994-96. Matsko tutored New Orleans G Ben Grubbsin Baltimore from 2008-10.
*Saints area scout Ryan Hollerncoached quarterbacks at Harding University High School in Charlotte.
*New Orleans head athletic trainer Scottie Pattonis a Gastonia, N.C., native who earned his bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University and served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at South Carolina and student athletic trainer at Appalachian State.
*New Orleans defensive assistant/linebackers coach Brian Youngand Carolina assistant wide receivers coach Ricky Proehlwere teammates in St. Louis from 2000-02. McAfee and Proehl were teammates with the Arizona Cardinals in 1994.
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