Player Connections
Saints RB Mark Ingram starred at both Grand Blanc (Flint, Mich.) High School and Flint Southwestern Academy. His father Mark Ingram Sr. starred at Michigan State.
Lions RB Reggie Bush was originally the second pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by New Orleans. He played for the Saints from 2006-10 and carried 524 times for 2,090 yards (4.0 avg.) with 17 touchdowns, posted 294 receptions for 2,142 yards (7.3 avg.) with 12 touchdowns and brought back 16 punts for 720 yards (7.8 avg.) with a club-record four touchdowns and brought back one kick for 32 yards for 4,984 all-purpose yards. In the postseason, he recorded 38 carries for 200 yards (5.3 avg.) with two touchdowns, had 25 receptions for 286 yards (11.4 avg.) with two touchdowns and brought back six punts for 144 yards (13.1 avg.) with one touchdown.
Detroit FB Jed Collins handled lead blocking duties for New Orleans from 2011-13, starting his Saints career on the practice squad in 2010.
Lions S Isa Abdul-Quddus played for the Saints from 2011-13.
Detroit RB Joique Bell had a stint on both the active roster and practice squad of the Saints from 2010-11.
Saints C Jonathan Goodwin played at Michigan from 2000-02.
Lions DT Nick Fairley prepped at Williamson (Mobile, Ala.) High School.
WR Nick Toon and Lions LB DeAndre Levy were teammates at the University of Wisconsin.
Coaching Connections
Detroit Coordinator of Athletic Medicine/Athletic Training Dean Kleinschmidt served on the Saints athletic training staff from 1969-1999, serving as an assistant (1969-70) and head athletic trainer (1970-99).
Saints Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Joe Vitt and Detroit Senior Coaching Assistant Gunther Cunningham served on the same defensive coaching staff in Kansas City.
Detroit Senior Personnel AdvisorJames Harris is a Monroe native who played quarterback at Grambling State from 1965-68.
New Orleans Strength and Conditioning Coach Dan Dalrymple and Lions Vice President of Pro Personnel Sheldon White were teammates at Miami (Ohio).
Lions Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi served on the Saints coaching staff from 2007-13.
Saints Running Backs Coach Dan Roushar enjoyed a six-year stint at Michigan State from 2007-12, where he served as offensive coordinator/tight ends coach his final two seasons.
Lions Special Teams Coordinator John Bonamego served in the same position in New Orleans from 2006-07 and also served on the Saints staff in 2011.
Saints Running Backs Coach Bret Ingalls served on the Eastern Michigan University staff in 1994.
Saints Tight Ends Coach Terry Malone is a Detroit native who served on the Michigan staff from 1997-2005, his final four seasons as offensive coordinator/tight ends.
