Falcons balked, so Lofton walked

Linebacker Curtis Lofton, who led the Falcons in tackles over the past three seasons, thought he would be with the team for a long time.

But when the Falcons balked at paying market value for a linebacker they thought struggled in pass coverage, he left to sign a five-year $27.5 million deal with rival New Orleans Saints.

“He’s a player that plays really hard and with tenacity,” Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux said.

“He’s a great linebacker who takes on any challenge that comes his way.”

Other connections include:

● Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s dad, Dick Nolan, was the Saints’ coach from 197880.

● Falcons quarterback Luke McCown was in training camp with the Saints in 2012.

● Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and Fal- cons defensive John Abraham were teammates with the New York Jets from 2004-05.

● Saints running back Mark Ingram played at Alabama with Falcons guard-tackle Mike Johnson and wide receiver Julio Jones.

● Saints safety Rafael Bush signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent from South Carolina State in 2010.

● Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson coached the defensive line for the Falcons from 2001-06.

● Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi was a defensive assistant for the Falcons in 2006.

● Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and safety William Moore played with quarterback Chase Daniel at Missouri.

● Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud played with Saints defensive end Jordan Cameron and center Brian de la Puente at California.