In one of the most intense rivalries in the NFL, a well-known player crosses over to play for the opposition.
The Atlanta Falcons are set to sign veteran New Orleans Saints linebacker Monty Rice, according to a Thursday morning report from NFL Network writer Mike Garafolo. The Saints dismissed Rice, 25, on Tuesday. According to Garafolo, Rice will first be added to Atlanta’s practice squad.
The Tennessee Titans selected Georgian Rice in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He was a player for the Titans during his first three seasons. Over 35 game appearances and 10 starts during that time, he had 128 tackles, including six for loss. After being released late in the previous campaign, he was signed by the Saints to their practice squad for the remainder of the campaign.
This summer, Rice participated in a close-knit and fiercely competitive linebacker competition for New Orleans. Rice led all defenders in the preseason opener against Arizona with seven stops, and he added three more in the season finale against Tennessee.
In spite of Rice’s performance, the Saints decided to start their 53-man roster with linebackers Demario Davis, Willie Gay Jr., Pete Werner, Anfernee Orji, D’Marco Jackson, and Jaylan Ford. The linebackers Khaleke Hudson and Isaiah Stalbird were then joined to New Orleans’ practice squad on Wednesday.
On the Atlanta defense, Rice will be paired with former Saints David Onyemata, Kaden Elliss, and Kentavious Street. On September 29, the Falcons play the Saints in Week 4. On November 10th in New Orleans, they will square off again in Week 10.
One of the NFL’s most intense rivalries is between the Saints and Falcons. They have 55 wins apiece in their all-time series. Since 2006, New Orleans has a 25-11 record versus Atlanta and has won 10 of the previous 13 encounters between the two clubs.
LB Monty Rice will join the team, adding another face that is well-known on both sides of this intense rivalry. Last year’s season series between the two teams was divided. At 9-8 on the season, New Orleans was tied for first place in the NFC South. With a 7-10 record in the end, Atlanta had lost six straight years and three of those six had included double-digit losses.
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