49ers’ Eric Reid, Saints’ Drew Brees fans of each other

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Eric Reid grew up in Geismar, La., along the steamy corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. So it makes perfect sense to learn he was a Saints fan — and a Drew Brees fan — as a teenager.

Here’s the part Reid struggles to understand: The past few seasons, as Reid starred at LSU and jumped into the NFL with the 49ers, Brees became an unabashed Eric Reid fan.

Reid got his first clue last Nov. 17, when he sheepishly introduced himself to Brees after the Saints beat the 49ers in New Orleans. Brees, naturally, already knew all about Reid.

Then, in this week’s buildup to Sunday’s game at the Superdome, Brees raved about Reid. Really, he raved about him way more than a Super Bowl champion, eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback usually does about a promising, 22-year-old safety.

“If you kind of drew a picture of what you’d want a starting free safety to look like in the league, you would probably draw a picture of him,” Brees said. “That dude is big, fast and physical, and he just has a nose for the football.

“I had a chance to kind of keep up with him a little while he was playing at LSU. Then obviously he gets drafted by San Francisco and you’re going, 'Oh, man, we’ve got to play against this guy.’ But he’s a really good player with a bright future.”

Even if Reid’s personal numbers are down from his standout rookie season and his team is slogging along at 4-4, he anchors one of the league’s top pass defenses. The 49ers rank No. 3 in the NFL, allowing 206.2 yards passing per game.

They also have allowed the fewest pass plays of 20-plus yards (18), a testament to the solid work by Reid and fellow safety Antoine Bethea.

Kansas City Chiefs' Jamaal Charles bobbles the ball before making a catch against San Francisco 49ers' Eric Reid in 3rd quarter of Niners' 22-17 win during NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Sunday, October 5, 2014. less Kansas City Chiefs' Jamaal Charles bobbles the ball before making a catch against San Francisco 49ers' Eric Reid in 3rd quarter of Niners' 22-17 win during NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on ... more Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close 49ers’ Eric Reid, Saints’ Drew Brees fans of each other 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

The Saints counter with the No. 3-ranked passing offense, churning out 307 yards per game. Brees, at 35, leads the league in completion percentage (69.6) and ranks fourth in passing yards (2,524), behind only Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger and Peyton Manning.

Those three quarterbacks are big and imposing. Brees merely seems big and imposing.

“I think the unique thing about him is he’s a shorter guy (6-0), but he plays as if he’s 6-6 in the pocket,” Reid said Friday. “He has great pocket awareness and he distributes the ball well. There aren’t many things he does wrong, so it’s a challenge for our defense to get some turnovers.”

Sunday’s game clearly carries special significance for Reid. He will have 50 relatives and friends there, a slight decrease from last year (56) but an inescapable reminder he’s going home.

He expected another, none-too-subtle hint when the 49ers’ plane landed in Louisiana on Friday night.

“Last year, the minute I stepped off the plane and smelled the humidity, I knew I was home,” he said.

Reid collected four interceptions as a rookie, on his way to making the Pro Bowl as an alternate. He has one pick this year, in the season opener Sept. 7 against Dallas.

Still, he meshed quickly with Bethea in the secondary. Now Reid seeks more turnovers, a game-changing play to shake the 49ers from their lethargy. He acknowledged a growing sense of urgency entering Sunday’s game.

Reid also appreciated the unexpected words of praise from Brees.

“That’s a heck of a compliment, especially coming from that guy,” Reid said. “Hopefully, I’ll live up to it this weekend. I need to play like a great free safety and help my team out by making some plays.”

Ron Kroichick is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: rkroichick@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ronkroichick