Player Connections
*New Orleans TE Josh Hillprepped at Blackfoot (Idaho) High School and then played at both Boise State and Idaho State.
*Saints FB Jed Collinsplayed at Washington State.
*Saints ILB David Hawthornewas signed by Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and spent four seasons with the Seahawks, eventually evolving into a valued starter for the Seahawks defense and the club's leading tackler in 2010 and 2011.
*Hawthorne and Seahawks LS Clint Greshamwere also college teammates at Texas Christian University. Gresham spent the 2010 offseason with the Saints after he was signed as an undrafted free agent.
*Saints WR Nick Toonand Seahawks QB Russell Wilsonwere college teammates at the University of Wisconsin in 2011.
*Saints CB Chris Carr, G Ben Grubbsand Seattle K Steven Hauschkawere teammates with the Baltimore Ravens.
*Seahawks CB Jeremy Laneplayed at Northwestern State (La.) from 2008-1.
*New Orleans T Charles Brownplayed for Seahawks Executive Vice President of Football Operations and Head Coach Pete Carrolland Assistant Offensive Line Coach Pat Ruelat USC from 2007-09.
*Brown and Seahawks LBs Mike Morganand Malcolm Smith were college teammates with the Trojans.
*Seahawks Quarterbacks Coach Carl Smithserved as offensive coordinator in New Orleans from 1986-96. Ryan and Smith served on the same coaching staff with the Cleveland Browns from 2009-10.
*Seattle G James Carpenterblocked for RB Mark Ingramat the University of Alabama.
*Saints TE Benjamin Watsonand Seattle DE Chris Clemonswere college teammates at the University
of Georgia. Ryan coached Clemons in his breakthrough season in 2007 when he posted eight sacks and played on the Raiders defense with Carr, as they also played with Seahawks TE Zach Miller.
*New Orleans WR Robert Meachem, OLB Parys Haralsonand Seahawks DT Tony McDanielwere college teammates at the University of Tennessee.
*Saints S Kenny Vaccaroand Seahawks S Earl Thomaswere college teammates at the University of Texas.
*Seahawks CB Tharold Simonprepped at Eunice High School and played at Louisiana State University from 2010-12.
*Seahawks RB Spencer Wareplayed both football and baseball for the Tigers.
*Haralson and Seattle FB Michael Robinsonwere teammates with the San Francisco 49ers from 2006-09.
*Saints C Brian de la Puenteplayed with both Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynchand DT Brandon Mebaneat the University of California.
*New Orleans CB Keenan Lewisand Seattle CB Brandon Brownerwere college teammates at Oregon State.
Coaching Connections
*New Orleans Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomisspent 15 years with Seattle, most recently as Executive Vice President from 1992-98. He originally joined the Seahawks in October 1983, as the team's business manager and was promoted to Vice President/finance in 1990.
*Saints Director of Operations James Nagaokaserved on the Seahawks staff for 22 years, holding a wide spectrum of responsibilities including managing the club's ticket operations and sales efforts and handling their travel.
*New Orleans Director of College Scouting Rick Reiprishserved on the Seahawks scouting staff from 1984-94.
*Saints Area Scout Mike Baughis a graduate of Central Washington University, who spent eight years in various capacities with the Seahawks from 1992-99 before joining the Saints scouting staff in 2000.
*Seattle Defensive Line Coach Travis Jonesserved as Assistant Defensive Line Coach in New Orleans from 2008-12.
*New Orleans Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Joe Vittspent 10 seasons with the Seahawks (1982-91), holding several titles during that stretch. Vitt and Seahawks Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Jamie Yancharserved on the same coaching staff with the Los Angeles Rams from 1992-94.
*New Orleans area scout Terry Woodenwas a second round draft pick of theSeahawks in 1990 and played for Seattle from 1990-96.
*Saints Pro Scout Ryan Powellis a native of Bend, Ore., who played linebacker at Linfield College and later served on their coaching staff. Powell also worked for the Seahawks for three summers (1998-2000) as a training camp assistant.
*New Orleans Defensive Assistant Marcus Ungarois a graduate of Washington State and a native of Sammamish, Wash.
*Saints Offensive Line Coach Bret Ingallsis a native of Snohomish, Wash., who graduated from the University of Idaho in 1984 and served on their coaching staff from 1982-88. Ingalls and Seahawks Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Tom Cableserved on the same coaching staff with the Vandals from 1987-88 and the two and New Orleans Head Coach Sean Paytonserved on the same coaching staff at San Diego State in 1989.
*Saints Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan, Cable and Seahawks Special Teams Coordinator Brian Schneiderserved on the same coaching staff in Oakland from 2007-08.
*New Orleans Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Dan Dalrymplewent to training camp with the Seahawks in 1987.
