One Tennessee Titans player not being talked about enough
With all of the hype surrounding the Tennessee Titans quarterback room, a potential breakout season from Treylon Burks, and the new additions to Tennessee's defense, Titans linebacker Monty Rice has been lost in the shuffle despite the big opportunity in front of him this season. 2023 is going to be a massive year for Rice, […]
With all of the hype surrounding the Tennessee Titans quarterback room, a potential breakout season from Treylon Burks, and the new additions to Tennessee's defense, Titans linebacker Monty Rice has been lost in the shuffle despite the big opportunity in front of him this season.
2023 is going to be a massive year for Rice, who Tennessee drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Rice has spent each of his first two NFL seasons behind Rashaan Evans, Zach Cunningham, and David Long Jr. on the Titans' depth chart. Add that in with his injury history, and Rice really has had limited opportunity to prove himself on the field up to this point.
All of that could change this fall, and it's time Titans fans started paying a little bit closer attention to this breakout candidate.
Even working behind Cunningham and Long last season, Rice stepped up when his number was called. In 13 games and six starts for the Titans in 2022, Rice totaled 66 tackles and four tackles for loss.
The door is now wide open for Rice to take the next step in his career. Zach Cunningham was released by the Titans at the end of the 2022 season and David Long Jr. signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency. Other veterans who saw meaningful snaps in 2022 include Dylan Cole, Joe Schobert, and Joe Jones, none of whom are back with the team this season.
Azeez Al-Shaair was brought in to replace Long, and second-year linebackers Jack Gibbens and Chance Campbell will compete for opportunity. But at least on paper, Rice is set to be a regular starter in the Titans defense.
I spoke with Titans inside linebackers coach Bobby King earlier this week to talk about Rice's development and what he has seen from him so far. King, who is going into his second season on Tennessee's staff, told me that the game is slowing down for Rice and that being healthy this summer has helped the 24-year-old develop.
"Last year he was hurt and didn't get to do any of the football stuff until training camp was over with. It's been critical for him to get the details, get the technique and fundamentals that we preach around here. We really really love those," said King. "The game is just slowing down for him a little bit as far as being an inside linebacker in year three."
While defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said a few weeks ago that he was hoping to see more consistency from Rice this season, King mentioned that Rice has "been solid" in approaching every day with consistent effort.
"He hasn't been making the same mistakes twice. He plays very fast and hard and he can play multiple positions, so Monty has done a good job in that aspect," King told me.
