The wait is over. Curtis Lofton has become a former Atlanta Falcons linebacker after signing a five-year deal with division rival the New Orleans Saints on Saturday.

Saints announce a 5-yr deal with former Atlanta LB Curtis Lofton #freeagency

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 25, 2012

Lofton was the Falcons' second-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Atlanta will be forced to try and replace Lofton with some sort of combination of veteran Lofa Tatupu who was recently signed and former Georgia standout Akeem Dent. They will have some big shoes to fill as Lofton recorded 147 tackles, had one forced-fumble and two interceptions for the Falcons during the 2011 season.

To read additional news and notes about the Atlanta Falcons, visit The Falcoholic. For more on the free agency of Curtis Lofton, go to our story stream here. Read more on the NFL at the SB Nation hub page.