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After receiving some praise from head coach Mike Vrabel and inside linebackers coach Jim Haslett for the progress he has made this season, Tennessee Titans linebacker and 2021 third-round pick, Monty Rice, touched on the subject on Wednesday before practice.
Rice has started in two of the past three games for the Titans with the team dealing with injuries at the position, and he has played well for the most part.
The Georgia product credits his work on special teams for the progress he has made overall, something Vrabel also mentioned in his praise of the rookie.
“When I first got here, you have to kind of learn how to play special teams, with the exception of kickoff because that’s just effort,” Rice said. “I developed more on special teams and it has helped me in whatever role I have on defense. It’s just important to go down there and give it your all on special teams.”
Rice continued building momentum with a solid performance in Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints, a game in which he started.
The 22-year-old tallied a team-high 11 tackles on 48 snaps, while also adding a QB Hit. In his two starts this season, Rice has 18 tackles, one pass break-up, and the QB Hit.
Despite a good showing against the Saints, Rice admits there are still some things he needs to clean up.
“I’m still learning and still trying to be better,” Rice admitted. “I messed up some things against the Saints, so I just want to fix those so I can be even better.”
.@Titans LB @RiceMonty on his development. pic.twitter.com/M5oRo50dny
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 17, 2021
Rice’s development, which he says has been aided by his helpful teammates, is important because the Titans might need him in a starting role in 2022, with Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown both set to hit free agency.
For now, Rice is providing a solid backup option for a Titans defense that continues to thrive, but his future continues to get brighter as the season progresses.
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