Patriots release WR Underwood day before Super Bowl kickoff

NFL.com ^ | Updated: Feb. 4, 2012 at 11:09 p.m. | Wire Reports

[Paleo Conservative]

So close to the Super Bowl, yet so far.

Wide receiver Tiquan Underwood was released by the New England Patriots on Saturday night, less than 24 hours before Super Bowl XLVI -- bad news for him, of course, but a move that increases the likelihood Chad Ochocinco will be active against the New York Giants in Indianapolis.

The Patriots signed defensive end Alex Silvestro from their practice squad to take Underwood's roster spot.

"Silvestro is a defensive end/tackle. They'll utilize him especially on rushing downs in a four-man front over the guard," NFL Network's Michael Lombardi said Saturday on "NFL Total Access." "They played him earlier in the season to see if he had any quickness to be a factor. He was, so I think that's what they're going to do.

"But Chad Ochocinco ... he will play quite a bit, and I think he could have an impact on the game."

Underwood, who showed up to Indianapolis with the Patriots logo shaved into his trademark high top fade, had three catches in five games this season. He seemed to take his release in stride with a series of Twitter posts.

"This Is Nothing But MOTIVATION....," he tweeted. Followed by this tweet: "I Been Thru A LOT...But There Are Ppl In This World w/ More Serious Problems So I Cant Hang The Head....Thank You Lord #Blessed"

Ochocinco had a career-low 15 catches in his first season with the Patriots and was inactive for the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens two weeks ago. He has never played in the Super Bowl.

New England's other wide receivers are Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater.

[Paleo Conservative]

What an idiot.

[musicman]

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[Krankor]

Belichick or whatever his name, is a scumbag. He’s a liar and a cheat- with no honor. I hope NY wins.

[Leto]

Underwood has been cut 4 times. They needed a different guy on the roster, and he can be put back on the practice squad. He will be paid a full share when they win today and will get his SB ring.

[brivette]

he’s a business man, pure and simple.

[skinkinthegrass]

..$ound$ like Compen$ation issue$ w/ hi$ attendance @ thi$ year'$ $uperbowl.
follow the $$$$.

[nascarnation]

My buddies kid is in the NFL.
6 teams in 6 years.
If you aren’t a top player, it’s a wild ride.

[Krankor]

he’s a business man, pure and simple.
Yeah, like when he was filming the Jets. He's a cheating scumbag. And, hopefully, he'll lose the game because of it.

[skinkinthegrass]

Underwood has been cut 4 times.
They needed a different guy on the roster,
and he can be put back on the practice squad.
He will be paid a full share when they win
today and will get his SB ring.
oh! ...real performance issues & then...
(*sigh* :) they're wanting to *WIN* the superbowl
...maybe, not so bad!

[max americana]

I have no rooting team as all my teams lost. I do however, hope the Pats lose. Karma.

[Krankor]

Believe me, I’m no fan of the Giants. But Belichick is such a scumbag......

[MattinNJ]

G-men should pick him up and get some scoop to counteract Bellicheat.

[Popman]

Exacty.....so really hardly news worthy at all

The only thing newsworthy was his response which was actually pretty classy for an NFL player

[SamAdams76]

Hate is such a self-destructive emotion.

Personally, I think that Belichick is going to go down in history as the most successful coach in the history of the NFL. Wouldn't be surprised to see him go 10 more years and have four additional Super Bowls.

[Krankor]

I don’t hate him. Hopefully, he’ll lose today.

[SamAdams76]

Well if he wins, it won’t be because he taped the other team’s practice!

[ExCTCitizen]

What is former UConn coach Randy Edsell doing in the FR ad?

[musicman]

(Raising money for this quarter's Freepathon, I hope!!!)

[animal172]

Is it safe to assume you don’t like the Patriots and their coach? /sar

[Pinkbell]

That’s cold. Poor Tiquan.