Player Connections
*New Orleans tight end Josh Hillprepped at Blackfoot (Idaho) High School and then played at both Boise State and Idaho State.
*Saints fullback Jed Collinsplayed at Washington State.
*Saints inside linebacker 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 long snapper 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 wide receiver Nick Toonand Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilsonwere college teammates at the University of Wisconsin in 2011.
*Saints guard Ben Grubbsand Seattle kicker Steven Hauschkawere teammates with the Baltimore Ravens.
*Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Laneplayed at Northwestern State (La.) from 2008-11.
*New Orleans tackle Charles Brownplayed for Seahawks Executive Vice President of Football Operations and Head Coach Pete Carrolland Assistant Offensive Line Coach Pat Ruelat the University of Southern California from 2007-09.
*Brown and Seahawks linebackers Mike Morganand Malcolm Smithwere college teammates with the Trojans.
*Seattle guard James Carpenterblocked for running back Mark Ingramat the University of Alabama.
*Saints tight end Benjamin Watsonand Seattle defensive end 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 Oakland Raiders defense.
*New Orleans wide receiver Robert Meachem, outside linebacker Parys Haralsonand Seahawks defensive tackle Tony McDanielwere college teammates at the University of Tennessee.
*Seahawks cornerback Tharold Simonprepped at Eunice High School and played at Louisiana State University from 2010-12.
*Seahawks running back Spencer Wareplayed both football and baseball for the Tigers.
*Haralson and Seattle fullback Michael Robinsonwere teammates with the San Francisco 49ers from 2006-09.
*Saints center Brian de la Puenteplayed with both Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynchand defensive tackle Brandon Mebaneat the University of California.
*Saints cornerback Terrence Frederickand Seattle running back Christine Michaelwere college teammates at Texas A&M.
Coaching/Scouting 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 invarious 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 the Seahawks 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.
*Seahawks Quarterbacks Coach Carl Smithserved as the offensive coordinator in New Orleans from 1986-96. Ryan and Smith served on the same coaching staff with the Cleveland Browns from 2009-10.
