Patriots Blog: Tiquan Underwood Holds No Grudges
BOSTON (CBS) - Last year at the Super Bowl, the Patriots released Tiquan Underwood the day before the game. Now that Tiquan plays with the Buccaneers, that situation is being revisited, as the Pats start their joint practices with Tampa Bay. Tiquan, who has always remained upbeat, says he holds no grudges for the situation that happened.
"Not at all. The thing I love about Coach Belichick is that he does what's best for the team every week, for that game," Underwood said. "The objective in this league is to win the game and he's going to continue to do that, day in and day out, each week. As a player, you just can't be on the back half of the roster because that's where the tough decisions have to be made. I respect him because no matter what game it is, what week it is, he's going to do that."
Underwood actually was kind enough to tell everybody how it went down and when he knew.
"You all know, Coach handles his depth chart decisions on Saturdays, the day before a game, whether it's Week 1, Week 5 or the playoffs, and I just happened to be one of the latter guys on the depth chart," he explained. "They brought up Alex Silvestro from the practice squad and I got released. It's part of the business, I understand that, and now I'm trying to put myself in a better position so when those decisions are made I'm not one of the guys that can be released. I want to be one of the guys on the front part of the roster."
He says that the experience and the time he spent with the Patriots is something that he will use for most his football future.
"A great organization, I'm just thankful to have played there for the time I did," he said. "I learned so much as a player and as a person. It's no secret why they're so successful, because guys work so hard, the attention to detail. That's really helped me as a player. I've brought it down here and I'm just trying to work on my craft."
Tiquan is one of those guys you want to make it in this league. Let's hope he catches on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
