Player Connections
*New Orleans C Brian de la Puenteplayed at California from 2005-07 and went to training camp with the49ers in 2008 and 2010.
*Saints DE Cameron Jordanplayed at Cal from 2007-10, where he was an All-Pac-10 Conference first-team selection as a senior.
*New Orleans OLB Parys Haralsonplayed for the 49ers from 2006-12.
*New Orleans DT Akiem Hicksprepped at Del Campo (Fair Oaks, Calif.) HS and played at Sacramento City College from 2007-08.
*San Francisco C Jonathan Goodwinplayed for the Saints from 2006-10. Goodwin was also tutored by Saints tight ends coach Terry Maloneat the University of Michigan.
*New Orleans T Bryce Harrisprepped at Brookhaven Tulare HS and then played at Fresno State from 2008-11.
*Saints TE Benjamin Watsonand 49ers QB Colt McCoywere teammates in Cleveland from 2010-12.
*San Francisco LB Patrick Willisstarred at the University of Mississippi from 2003-00.
*New Orleans S Malcolm Jenkinsplayed with 49ers S Donte Whitnerat Ohio State.
*49ers RB Anthony Dixsonis a native of Jackson, Miss.
*San Francisco DB Tramaine Brockis a Gulfport (Miss.) native who played at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and at Belhaven University.
*Saints G Ben Grubbs, LB Will Herringand San Francisco CB Carlos Rogerswere college teammates at Auburn.
*Grubbs and San Francisco WR Anquan Boldinwere teammates with the Baltimore Ravens from 2009-11.
*QB Drew Brees, RB Darren Sprolesand 49ers WR Kassim Osgoodwere teammates with the San Diego Chargers.
Coaching Connections
*Saints Head Coach Sean Paytonwas born in San Mateo, Calif.
*Saints Wide Receivers Coach Henry Ellardprepped at Hoover (Calif.) HS and then played near his hometown for Fresno State from 1979-82, where he set a then-NCAA record with 1,510 receiving yards (62 receptions, 24.4 avg. and 15 touchdowns) as a senior. Ellard served as a graduate assistant at Fresno State in 2000.
*Saints Head Athletic Trainer Scottie B. Pattonserved as an assistant athletic trainer for the 49ers for five years.
*San Francisco wide receivers coach John Mortonserved as the passing game coach/offensive assistant for the Saints in 2006.
*Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnsonand San Francisco secondary coach Ed Donatell both served on the same staff in Atlanta in 2004 and were then accompanied by New Orleans quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardiin 2006.
*49ers assistant secondary coach Greg Jacksonplayed at LSU from 1985-88, played for the Saints in 1996, coached at Louisiana-Monroe from 2004-06 and at Tulane from 2007-09.
*49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangiowas the Saints linebackers coach from 1986-94.
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