Patriots Release WR Underwood, Promote DE Silvestro from Practice Squad
by Greg Knopping on Feb 4, 2012 7:21 PM EST
in New England Patriots News
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The Patriots have made a roster move on the eve of Super Bowl XLVI. Earlier this evening, the team announced that wide receiver Tiquan Underwood has been released, with the team promoting defensive end Alex Silvestro from the practice squad.
The move is a bit surprising on the eve of the Super Bowl, and makes you wonder if the Patriots will be without a defensive lineman for the Super Bowl, since there would be no point in promoting Silvestro if he wasn't active. The Patriots also could be promoting Silvestro in preparation of playing more 4-man fronts, as Silvestro is seen as more of a "traditional" 4-3 defensive end.
As for Underwood, I imagine it has to be heartbreaking to be released on the eve of the Super Bowl. But that's the NFL for you: it's a business, even during Super Bowl week.
Of course, Underwood's release likely indicates that receiver Chad Ochocinco, inactive after the passing of his father last week, will be active for Super Bowl XLVI. How much he plays, of course, is still up in the air.
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Oh man...
and Tiquan just had the Patriot logo shaved onto the back of his fade. I really feel bad for him.
"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver
by rebop on Feb 4, 2012 7:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I think Whitlock captured the sentiment of Tiquan's release perfectly:
“If he dies, he dies.” – Bill “Drago” Belichick on releasing Tiquan Underwood the day before the SB
Totally agree.
I understand that football is a business, but the timing of this move totally sucks, and is definitely wrong unless there is something more going on that we don’t know about.
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
by dannijd on Feb 4, 2012 8:05 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Silvestro hasn’t played in any real NFL games. Real weird if his first play comes in a Super Bowl game.
Why do we do these things?!!!
Pedey: Dear Playstation, So MLB the Show '09 says I can't hit the high and inside, huh? That's ridiculous, ask Ramon.
Ramon: Yeah, he can hit it. In fact, if I were to die today and went to some weird...(grabs script) some weird limbo afterlife, where I can gaze at one thing for eternity. Dustin's swing, or my daggers? (DAUGHTERS!) daughter's first steps, I would choose that swing.
Lazer Show: I can hit that pitch!
by BrokenbatGrandSlam on Feb 4, 2012 7:45 PM EST reply actions
To give everyone else another reason to hate the Pats?
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
by dannijd on Feb 4, 2012 8:07 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Yeah, way too much cordiality this week
with BB cracking jokes, smiling and what not. Had to bring some balance back.
Trouble is...
When BB pulls stuff like this, he makes me question why I love them…
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
by dannijd on Feb 4, 2012 8:41 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Because they're in the Super Bowl?
Belichick’s aggressive roster moves is part of why the Pats have gone to 5 of the last dozen Super Bowls.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Feb 4, 2012 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I am feeling more and more
that Underwood was going to be inactive anyways, maybe it’s injury related, maybe just personellwise special teams shuffling(Taking Gronk off ST’s), but either way, my best guess is that he was going to be inactive anyways, along with 6 or 7 other guys who have all been in Indy for the week. Also, look at it the other way, Silvesto is pretty happy right now.
True...
And why I love them goes deeper than the Super Bowl. BB does things that sometimes bug me, but at the end of the day, he does what needs to be done and does not mess with such weak petty things as emotions and feelings.
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
A shitty move.
Please, please, please, no Edelman at WR.
It is what it is
LOlwut.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Wow. Unless Underwood did something to warrant his release...
thats a pretty shitty move.
2011 was just the tip
They say the cool is all over me..
This- the only way that the move is defensible is if either Underwood did something OR there is some sort of injury on defense that makes activating a defensive player at this late date imperative. Otherwise, this is one of those moves that is just cruel.
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
by dannijd on Feb 4, 2012 8:07 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
BB does a lot of things I don't agree with
but what I am 100% sure of, is that this move is anything but arbitrary.
Keep the faith!
Right now they are saying it wasn't for disciplinary reasons though
and Underwood sent out a classy tweet, so wtf?
The one silver lining I see here is that they did not bring up the PSquad tight end, which leads me to believe they have full confidence in the Gronkle.
Probably a sign Gronk and Hernandez are expected to be on the field 100% of snaps
And might be a sign Ocho’s gotten the swing of the no huddle.
At the end of the day, Underwood wasn’t going to be the make-or-break of the team, and bumping up the pass-rush is never a bad thing. Silvestro plays STs, too, if I remember preseason correctly.
Hoodie has to put guys on the active roster who will help win football games – in this case, the Super Bowl. He clearly thought Silvestro would help more than Underwood. That’s what happens in professional football – you don’t get a free pass to the Super Bowl if someone else is going to help your team out more.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
I doubt this means
Ocho has finally got the no huddle lol. Man I just hope he gets more than 15 snaps
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
Same concept
Grasping the no huddle == more than 15 snaps.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
He's had more than 15 snaps before
you know
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
In games where they didn't use the no-huddle and had injuries
Shrug.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Comedic
They have used the no huddle nearly every game.
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
Sigh.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
He had 60 of 75 snaps vs the Bills, and they didn't use the no-huddle then.
No Hernandez, no no-huddle, etc.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Dude
that doesn’t mean they are going to use the no-huddle with Ocho. They only use the no huddle with players they know have a strong grasp of the offense, Branch, Welker, Woody and the TEs. When Ocho is on the field Brady most likely won’t go into no-huddle. But of they need to they’ll sub in someone else for him like they did last time they faced the Giants
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
The idea of this guy on the field in the SB
Scared the crap out of me, so I can’t say I’m too sad to see him go, though it obviously sucks for him on a personal level.
Doh
Tiquan was my favorite mascot/practice squad guy.
I hope the Giants are at least worried and scrambling about how this may affect their game plan.
As a Patriots fan and Rutgers student, I feel for the man
But I’m sure there had to be a reason.
Question: If the Pats win, does he get a ring?
It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.
he'll get a ring
I remember mike reiss said that when moss got cut in week 5 or whatever he’d have got a ring for those contributions if the pats had gone on that year to a SB.
Lakers and Patriots forever.
Silvestro...
is a Rutgers man too. They can both get rings!
"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver
Wait...
So if the pats were to win the superbowl, would Haynesworth get a ring?
Up to the owner
The owner pays for them ($1m+ a pop) and gives them to whoever he feels like.
When the Colts won a Super Bowl, they gave Edge James a Ring, even though he’d been in the Cardinals for a year. You can give them to whoever you like, and not give them to anyone you feel.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Yep.
I’m pretty sure the Packers Rings last year were closer to $1.5m each.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
My theory:
Domes get hot.
Eli is very good in 4th quarter when defences are gassed
BB wants to dress a LOT of linemen so he can rotate and stop Eli having it all his way late in the game.
by quadruple option on Feb 4, 2012 8:34 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Well if we win he get a ring anyways
he wasn’t going to see the field anyways, so now he can chill and watch the game lol
It's really not that much different than being named one of the inactives for the game
obviously it sucks for him that he won’t get to play in the game but what could be more intriguing is the fact that someone else on the active roster that was going to make it before might get bumped too. Meaning, if Underwood was going to be one of the inactives before this move, clearly they wouldn’t do this unless sylvestro was going to be active. So this really hits two people. All those guys on the back end of the roster are crossing their fingers.
It is different than being inactive, because he won’t get his Super Bowl bonus, which is 83k for the winner or 42k for the loser. For a player that makes as little as he does, that’s a nice chunk of change.
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
He would've earned more by being a roster straggler during the season than as a practice squad guy like Silvestro
It sucks for Underwood, but on the same token, it’s big news for Silvestro.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
They said this morning on ESPN
That it only takes being active 8 games in the season to get the bonus, which Underwood has been active exactly 8. So he’ll still get his 83k and ring when we win, or 42k if we lost.
by indy pats fan on Feb 5, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
The Pats have a game to win tomorrow
If Belichick thinks having Silvestro on the squad will help them tomorrow more than Underwood, then this is the right decision.
That said, I feel bad for Tiquan, who wouldn’t? But I’d feel a lot worse, and so would Tiquan Underwood and every other player on the team, if the Patriots lost tomorrow because they didn’t have the right personnel to best match up against the Giants.
On the surface there is a certain ruthlessness to this move, but did you expect Bill Belichick to start getting all soft and sentimental because his team made it to the Super Bowl? The Pats actually treat role players and practice squad guys pretty well, giving them raises when they don’t have to, etc.
"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver
ST move??
.To take gronks place.
"There is an old saying about the strength of the wolf is the pack, and I think there is a lot of truth to that. On a football team, it's not the strength of the individual players, but it is the strength of the unit and how they all function together." - Bill Belichick
Huh?
Why would they cut a receiver and add a lineman to take Gronk’s place? If anything it suggests the Patriots are confident Gronk will play, and won’t need an extra pass catcher.
"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver
Um, you do know Gronk plays on ST right?
"There is an old saying about the strength of the wolf is the pack, and I think there is a lot of truth to that. On a football team, it's not the strength of the individual players, but it is the strength of the unit and how they all function together." - Bill Belichick
Ah...
I didn’t notice the “ST” in your title. Makes sense now, and yes that is very possible.
"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver
the post by me was clear man. My fault..
"There is an old saying about the strength of the wolf is the pack, and I think there is a lot of truth to that. On a football team, it's not the strength of the individual players, but it is the strength of the unit and how they all function together." - Bill Belichick
er' "UN"-clear..
"There is an old saying about the strength of the wolf is the pack, and I think there is a lot of truth to that. On a football team, it's not the strength of the individual players, but it is the strength of the unit and how they all function together." - Bill Belichick
Dude....
Seriously? You still think Gronk might not play? XD
Go Pats. Celtics. Red Sox. Bruins.
Brady. Pierce. Thomas. How you doing?
by Tai on Feb 4, 2012 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
You’re right, he’s usually one of the wedge guys
by quadruple option on Feb 4, 2012 9:15 PM EST up reply actions
Hey now
Special teams is a big deal. If Silvestro can really help there, I’m all for it.
And lol JDot, ok I got what you meant. All the same, if this is a concern for Gronk, I’m all for that too.
Go Pats. Celtics. Red Sox. Bruins.
Brady. Pierce. Thomas. How you doing?
by Tai on Feb 4, 2012 9:28 PM EST up reply actions
After re-reading my post, It was not to clear man. Sorry.
..that is the only thing that makes sense to me. Bottom line I have no idea..
"There is an old saying about the strength of the wolf is the pack, and I think there is a lot of truth to that. On a football team, it's not the strength of the individual players, but it is the strength of the unit and how they all function together." - Bill Belichick
Facepalm/
"There is an old saying about the strength of the wolf is the pack, and I think there is a lot of truth to that. On a football team, it's not the strength of the individual players, but it is the strength of the unit and how they all function together." - Bill Belichick
That's messed up.
Period. Unless there is an injury that we don’t know about this move is f’ed up. Underwood may not be Lawyer Malloy in terms of talent, but releasing a guy the night before the Super Bowl after he has gone through all the practices, the media sessions, the team picture and everything is messed up.
This is probably the coldest of all Bill’s moves ever. I am not a fan, even if Underwood was going to be inactive.
My Twitter @totheights
Actually, I'm not sure
would it have been colder to cut him before the Bowl? At least he experienced 2 weeks of Super Bowl stuff, which a huge percentage of players never do. He got to cut his hair and make some news, and experience everything leading up to the highest level. Maybe not, maybe it’s worse to cut him on the eve of the game, but I have a feeling he knew it was coming, or at least probably had a strong reason to believe he was going to be inactive. I do feel for the guy, but I also think we are making a lot out of this. Maybe it’s the way he’s handled it, very classy, that leads me to believe he was going to be inactive anyways.
I don’t see it as a cold move, or at least, I don’t know enough to make that judgement. In Bill i trust.
There are very strict regulations about postseason roster moves. If they had released him right after the ravens game and made this move they would not have had the ability to use him in practice which would hurt the team. For all we know Underwood was informed of this decision days ago but for the sake of prepping for the Giants he was kept on the roster. Let’s not make this something it isn’t. Be happy BB has the guts to make a move like this no matter what anybody else thinks.
by Oughat on Feb 4, 2012 9:38 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I think you are right
my best guess is he was going to be inactive anyways.
Very possiblt if Gronk wasn't dinged up
they may have let him go a couple of weeks ago.
Feel bad about underwood.
BB must have something in store.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Yeah, but feel good for Silvestro
and know BB made the right move for the best possible outcome
Of course the media won't get it
Of course Underwood knew about this. He got to be at the Super Bowl and be in the picture and will get a ring. Otherwise he goes out the door after the Ravens game cause Bill knows they need a big body to replace Gronk on special teams and for D line reserve.
Feel terrible for Tiquan, though I realize it's just business.
In any other week, this wouldn’t have been even a blip on the radar. Just a run-of-the-mill transaction. However, the expectations of the Super Bowl and last-minute nature of the decision make it a tough pill to swallow. Hope the guy rolls with the punches. He’s been a true professional about the whole situation.
dick move
I like how all the Belicheck Rumpswabs on this site fly to his defense whenever he does anything unscrupulous, dishonest , or just plain stupid,Hero worship can be dangerous. Just ask Penn St
LOL
“unscrupulous”? He did something to make the football team better.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Let me get this straight.
Releasing a guy before the Superbowl is as bad as not reporting a child molester to the police? I think you’re the one who has to rethink his priorities.
If...
Belichick molests a child, or covers up the molestation of a child, I’ll be the first to condemn him. A roster move before a big game is not on the same level, IMO.
Underwood has been on the roster bubble the whole time he’s been here. If this roster move was made before any other game this season, no one would blink. The only difference is this is the biggest game of the year.
It’s a shame for Tiquan, but Belichick’s responsibility is to put the team on the field that he thinks has the best chance to win the Super Bowl. The Krafts, the players and the fans deserve nothing less.
"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver
Not only your opinion, it should be everyone else's opinion too
Otherwise, perspective is getting way out of whack. Guys like ‘the real mr B’ don’t understand what it’s like to follow a team that is coached by the best in the league. We’ll most likely find out why eventually. BB is not my hero, but I sure as heck want him coaching the Pats.
Keep the faith!
Tiquan's Statement
via ESPNBoston:
“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”
Further he is still entitled to a full SB share.
Can we not blow this up into a big “Bill Belichick is evil” thing? It’s a roster move. Nothing more or less.
"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver
Yeah seriously.
A lot of kids that I’ve went to high school with, many of whom are Giants fans, are already coming out of the woodwork with their “Belichick is evil” or “That was a cold-hearted dick move” variants, carrying their emotions on their sleeves and not thinking about the big picture. That’s because we all went to the same high school as Tiquan (I was a year ahead of him, btw). Obviously, I’m not getting on that boat. Granted, I agree that the move was certainly cold. Having said that, I go back to what Christopher Price said in his “Blueprint” book:
If you want to win in the NFL, there is zero room for sentimentality.
And I am damn sure that Tiquan knows this more than anybody, considering what he’s been through in his NFL career.
So do I think Belichick made a cold move? Absolutely. But I also like to look at this in the grand scheme of things. And if this move had to be made to win the Super Bowl, so be it.
Proud supporter of a New York baseball team and a Boston football team. Yeah, deal with it!
"We don’t listen to the hype. I don’t think we ever have. We really take after our coach and he says ‘When you win, say little. When you lose, say less.'"--Tom Brady
The 2012 New York Mets: We May Not Have Reyes, But We Still Haz Dickey
The 2011 New England Patriots: What defense?
The 2011-12 New Jersey Devils: Short-Handed Goals Allowed? WE HAZ IT!
No he didn't sadly.
Even if he did, they would’ve told him to cut it off. It was a Catholic HS.
Proud supporter of a New York baseball team and a Boston football team. Yeah, deal with it!
"We don’t listen to the hype. I don’t think we ever have. We really take after our coach and he says ‘When you win, say little. When you lose, say less.'"--Tom Brady
The 2012 New York Mets: We May Not Have Reyes, But We Still Haz Dickey
The 2011 New England Patriots: What defense?
The 2011-12 New Jersey Devils: Short-Handed Goals Allowed? WE HAZ IT!
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