February 4th, 2012
10:46 AM ET
Pats cut Tiquan Underwood
INDIANAPOLIS -- The New England Patriots have consistently made roster moves the day before games this season. Now, in a tough blow for receiver Tiquan Underwood, they've made one the night before the Super Bowl.
The team released Underwood on Saturday, and promoted defensive lineman Alex Silvestro off the practice squad. The move was not discipline-based, but a pure football decision based on needs specific to the Super Bowl XLVI game plan, according to a source.
On his Twitter account, the 24-year-old Underwood wrote, "Good Luck To The New England Organization, The Coaches, & All My Teammates. #PatsNation."
Underwood declined an interview request but sent ESPN's Ed Werder a text that said: "I don't want to be a distraction to the game or the New England Patriots.....i will say this, The New England Patriots are a GREAT Organization. I wish them nothing but the best today. This season has been dedicated to Myra Kraft (MHK) Mr Kraft's wife....w/ that being said i hope they pull out the victory in honor of her & because the coaches & players have worked so hard this season for the opportunity to play in Super Bowl 46. Go Pats!!!! #PatsNation"
Underwood will be entitled to $88,000 if New England wins this game and $44,000 if New England loses. The NFL's collective bargaining has a clause that says any player active for a total of eight games in the regular season and postseason is entitled to a full share of the Super Bowl earnings. Underwood just made the cut, as he was active for eight games. He would also get a ring if the Patriots win.
With Underwood out, wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, who played one snap vs. the Broncos in the divisional round and was inactive in the AFC Championship Game, will likely be active for Super Bowl XLVI, a source told ESPN's Werder. Ochocinco had a career-low 15 catches in his first season with the Patriots and has never played in the Super Bowl.
New England's other wide receivers are Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater.
A third-year receiver, Underwood played in eight games for the team: six in the regular season, two in the playoffs. He totaled 97 snaps (including penalties) and his role varied on a weekly basis, as either the team's third, fourth or fifth receiver. Because the Patriots run more than 80 percent of their plays with two or more tight ends on the field, the value of a third, fourth or fifth receiver is lessened in the offense.
Underwood, who finished three catches for 30 yards, is not a primary contributor on special teams, which likely factored in to the decision as well. The Patriots would be open to Underwood's return to the team in 2012 if he's interested, according to a source.
Silvestro, on the other hand, could help on the punt return and kickoff return units. Injured tight end Rob Gronkowski plays on the wedge on the kickoff return unit and it's possible the Patriots might want to lessen his load by having Silvestro step in.
Silvestro, a rookie from Rutgers who played in one game this season (11 snaps vs. Miami on Dec. 24), could also add depth as part of a defensive line rotation.
Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com. Information from ESPN NFL reporter Ed Werder, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, ESPNBoston.com's Mike Rodak and The Associated Press was used in this report.
Follow Mike Reiss on Twitter: @MikeReiss
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Today is
The Most Egregious Act In The History Of Professional Sports
There Is Such A Thing As "CHARACTER OF A TEAM", which the New England Patriots "DON'T HAVE".
Years ago, after hiring Belichick as Coach, the team was subsequently, found to have been video taping signals from other teams, which is a direct violation of NFL rules. The Response from Belichick, a man that had been in the NFL as supporting coach for many years..., his response to the illegal video taping of other teams was..., they "ms-interpreted the rules". BS
This violation of being busted as a cheater..., only netted the New England Patriots with a team fine, but, a lot of fans of the other teams in the NFL, suggests that their two super bowl rings, ought to be removed from the teams mantel, based on their acknowledgement of having cheated and paying a fine.
CHARACTER FLAWED IN FIRST 2 SUPER BOWLS
One must remember the cheating acknowledgement of the New England Patriots, and the NFL action, as we go forward in this story.
Character of a team is the character of the ownership, and with the retaining of a coach, who admitted to cheating, with an idiotic excuse of rules interpretation mistake, suggests that the owner is equally as flawed in character, in that, to not fire that coach who cheated in such a shameful manner, which stains the two super bowl rings, requires the removal of the coach.... at a minimum.
But, Craft didn't fire the coach, he stood behind him, validating that the owner's "character" is equally flawed, the value of fair play, or the value of honor, does not exist in New England... "Win By Any Means Possible", to include cheating..., is the motto in NE.
The Lowest Move In The History Of The NFL
I've been a fan of the game of football for 45 years, I played football starting at the age of 8, through my graduation year, of at the age of 18. I understand what it takes to be on a team, I understand what it means to be on the team, be on the sidelines if I'm not in the game, and I understand what it means when a player is told he can't suit up for a game... it's hurtful and tragic.
Extrapolating the feelings and emotions associated with being part of a team to the professional level, isn't a capability outside the consciousness of anyone of us.
Every Professional Player has great pride in their link..., that is part of the total team of 55 plus links. Every Player take pride in being part of a win, and every player, hurt equally, when the team looses.
The Pride of Tiquan Underwood is written on the back of his head, in the picture of him with the design of the NE Patriots "cut into his hair". Now... if that ain't showing pride in being part of a team... then I'd suggest that more players show that lack of pride in their team.
For the New England Patriots to "RELEASE Tiquan Underwood" THE DAY BEFORE THE ACTUAL SUPER BOWL IS UNACCEPTABLE, UNCONSCIIONABLE, AND HEARTLESS".
They had two weeks of no football to prepare for this day, and they wait until the day before the game, to release a player.... What The Fuck..... OVER!!!!
HEARTLESS, AGGREGIOUS, REVOLTING, REPULSIVE, SICKENING, GHASTLY, FILTHY, SORDID, HORRIBLE, NAUSEATING, HORRENDOUS, AWFUL, DREADFUL, APPAULING, HORRIFYING, UPSETTING, SHOCKING, STAGGERING, UNSPEAKABLE, HIDEOUS, DISTRESSING, OFFENSIVE, DISTURBING, DISAPPOINTING, DISPLEASING, SHOCKING, AND UGLY.
This Act Shows No sense of HONOR, INTEGRITY, RESPECT, DIGNITY, DECENCY, RIGHTEOUSNESS, UPRIGHTNESS, SCRUPULOUSNESS, RECTITUDE, MORALITY, NOBILITY, GRACIOUSNESS, or LOYALT.
Personally, Mr. Craft, Owner of the New England Patriots, and Coach Belichick, are the worse individuals in the history of NFL Football, and to win a championship while showing the character of a sociopath, who feels no sense of shame or loyalty, for the people who brought them to this point, have earned, not 1 granular of respect from me.
If there is such a thing as "Karma"..., I hope that it displays its existence in this Super Bowl Game,,, and continues until the day that Kraft & Belichick are no longer part of the Patriots name.
My heart Pours Out for Tiquan Underwood, and his response was that of a man who shows what character truly means.., he wished the patriots the best, with no negative innuendos what so ever.
I'm quite pissed at this act and I know that I'm not the only one.
The New England Classless
In My Opinion
ASMFMB
2/5/12
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