Underwood Wants More Consistency
July 28th, 2012
Bucs wide receiver hopeful Tiquan Underwood, who played for New England last season, stood out during Day 1 of training camp Friday. And he didn’t even have to take his helmet off to do it. Underwood caught two deep balls and seemed to be a tireless worker while others wilted in the heat.
Joe caught up to Underwood for a few questions.
JoeBucsFan.com: You were in Bill Belichick’s training camp last season. How does Greg Schiano’s compare?
Tiquan Underwood: Two great coaches. Very demanding, very strict. Similarities and differences. But they’re two tough camps, so I see why both coaches have had the success they’ve had. The toughness is for a reason. It’ll pay off in the long run.
Joe: You had a great standout day [Friday]. How do you feel about your play?
Underwood: I thought it was ok, some high points some low points. I’m just going to go out and try to get better and be more consistent. Take away some of those bad plays that I had.
Joe: Wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck is one of the wildest personalities on the field. What are your impressions of him?
Underwood: Very energetic and he loves his job, man. He’s very passionate. As receivers, we feed off of him. He gets us hyped, gets us ready for practice, and we’ve all grown to love it and embrace it.
Joe: Does he think he can still play? (Fleck spent 2004 & 2005 as a 49ers WR)
Underwood: Absolutely. He’s out here with his cleats running up and down the field challenging us all the time. He definitely can still play, I believe.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:38 pm
I’d like to see what this guy can do. I also want to see Gant pull a Victor Cruz. I was hoping we’d pull him off the Giants practice squad two yrs ago. Big loss with Benn’s injuries and the release of Briscoe looks bad now.
July 28th, 2012 at 12:15 am
Dude looks like a boss
July 28th, 2012 at 1:41 am
Underwood is a good receiver, sort of like a Dezmon Briscoe w/o all the drama.
He was a Rutgers guy, and is used to a tough training camp.
July 28th, 2012 at 1:53 am
I am still trying to figure out how he gets a helmet on that head, lol.
July 28th, 2012 at 2:31 am
The young man will get a good chance with Benn out for a month.
Buccaneers in 2012?
Can’t WAIT!!!
July 28th, 2012 at 3:47 am
There must be a House Party around! Kid N Play. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTe4vOlbYlk
July 28th, 2012 at 8:22 am
I feel good about our top 4 at WR:
VJ, Mike Will, Pres Park and TU. solid group.
Mix in a little Sammy Stroughter and/or Ed Gant for insurance and special teams, I think that we are in fine shape there.
I bet someone would give up a 7th rounder for Benn, I am sure Dom is already being set up by some GM right now?
Are you telling me that the Seahawks (Winslow) and Bears (Price) would walk away from these deals if Dom stood on his demand for a 5th or 6th? Hard to believe.
What I happen to believe is Dom is the worst negotiator ever. Sorry Joe, I know he’s your boo.
July 28th, 2012 at 8:29 am
When a guy like this stands out at your training camp, you have a problem.
11 catches in his nfl tenure?
Reggie Brown 2.0.
July 28th, 2012 at 8:45 am
@Eric
11 catches in how many snaps? With his skill set he is a great compliment to the offense and could have a really nice season.
July 28th, 2012 at 8:53 am
@princespanky
Maybe, but Bellichick didn’t think so.
July 28th, 2012 at 8:53 am
Let’s all relax with how great a day he had, its the first day of camp… Two point two. Winslow is a good hands TE who has lost most of his speed, and never could block. Who is always open, in his mind. Glad we won’t see him push off to get open and draw a flag…. Good luck in seahawks land. I am sorry about Price, quality player when he was not injured who was showing some dominance. But with him not able to finish 4 of the 110 yard runs because of pain. Makes me sad, but I agree with giving him a chance someplace else. Was the picks we got for them not as high as we would like. Sure but what would we get for price if he tears his hamstrings off the bone again, or reinjures his pelvic injury.. hold out for a 5th or sixth round pick.. might just leave you holding out for nothing. Good luck to them both thanks for your effort as Buccaneers.
July 28th, 2012 at 8:57 am
He also couldn’t break into the jags line up, but gotta love the hair.
July 28th, 2012 at 9:19 am
@ Eric, yeah because comparing the New England roster to the Bucs roster is fair.. Pffftt! There are plenty of NE bench riders who could start on other teams. Chad Johnson for one. The truth is, we don’t know what TU is capable of in this system with this team, its just day one of training camp.. Lolz
July 28th, 2012 at 9:46 am
Damn are you negative Eric 🙂
1) Nobody is arguing that Tiquan the Swan is our #1, he is the speed #3 at best;
2) Wes Welker was cut by the Chargers after 1 game, allowed to get away from the Dolphins before starring in NE (and there are many more examples of that).
We have not had TU speed around here in a while – embrace it! Schiano the Pisano is a great hire buddy!
July 28th, 2012 at 9:51 am
Rusty:
I think the Seahawks overpaid for Winslow! I would have traded Winslow and cash just to get him out of here. My point is that Dom has established an amazing record of wasting draft (especially 2nd round) picks – for a guy who was allegedly hired to build through the draft!
How many key players did Dom acquire vs waste through his 3 drafts? Schiano’s 1 already looks way better.
July 28th, 2012 at 10:13 am
meet the new mr. july ……..humpty hump
July 28th, 2012 at 10:21 am
I’m still waiting for Kareem Huggins to catch fire…..
Actually, training camp fantasies are a hoot, keep em coming. Underwood could easily be the next Welker.
July 28th, 2012 at 10:21 am
They all look good on paper within every teams draft history. It is a risky venture on both sides player & teams. Teams bring in a good looking prospect at a position. 1-7 rd player comes out works at getting better. Gets injured rehabs tries to come back 100% it is not always successful. Who’s is to blame for this? Owners, General Managers, Coaches, Players? Who?
I have seen few stars from his drafts, I have seen his drafts/aquired players show some shining moments. Penn, Williams, Freeman, Blount, Bennett. Sure he has had several misses Clayton, Ward, Black. Again it is a crap shoot, will the players & coaches work well together, will the injury bug bite. Will the NFL game be to much for some players..
32 Owners, GM, Coaches, Players all wish they could look in a magic crystal ball and know how it will all work out beforehand..
Don’t we all..
When will the pads go on and the real hitting begin?
July 28th, 2012 at 10:22 am
@thomas,
Why didn’t you go back to the steelers cutting Unitas?
July 28th, 2012 at 10:24 am
Is Tiquan “KId” or “Play?” I can never remember.
July 28th, 2012 at 10:32 am
@Eric: Welker was the first receiver that came to mind. I thought about Janes Harrison also but thought it better to use the receiver example.
I didn’t remember Reggie Brown looking good even in training camp. Huggins is a reasonable example of a overhyped (Joe?) camper.
All I am saying is that TU and Parker are equal to or better than our 3rd and 4th (and often 1st and 2nd) from years past. TU does not have NFL size, but he does have speed and hands.
July 28th, 2012 at 10:36 am
@Eric
And how many teams did Kurt Warner fail to make before resorting to playing in NFL Europe? Underwood has always been rated as good #3-4 receiver
July 28th, 2012 at 10:49 am
Underwood also impressed at times in Jacksonville; he was something of
a media/fan favorite, but also a tease who practiced well but did
nothing in games.He can run, though. (I live in Jax..)
July 28th, 2012 at 10:56 am
For every Kurt Warner there are a thousand Underwoods.
Maybe the kid will make it, who knows.
He does have PJ Fleck working with him and all.
July 28th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Eric, ” Maybe the kid will make it, who knows.
He does have PJ Fleck working with him and all.”
You say this ^ What’s wrong with PJ Fleck, from what we hear and see this guy is 100% a motivator, who is young and has played in the NFL in the 21st century. Wo do you think would be a better coach to have working with our WR and all.. ?
July 28th, 2012 at 11:13 am
“For every Kurt Warner there are a thousand Underwoods”… and Welkers… It is not uncommon for players to shine once cut from teams saying, “you just missed the cut.” IMO we have our #1 & 2 in V-jax & Mike Will… I personally was set with Parker, Benn, Underwood as our #3-5. Nobody is saying Underwood should be #1 or 2 yet, just that he is proving to be another good option. A 4.4 40 does help him a little too as he can always be used as a decoy that if a defense refused to consider “could” be a threat.
July 28th, 2012 at 11:24 am
Not sure, but I Don’t think Fleck ever got in a game for San Fran. We plucked him from his new job as OC at Northern Illinois.
Otherwise I think he coached up the WR’s at Rutgers. Did they have a spectacular passing attack?
I don’t think we had to outbid anyone for Fleck’s services.
That being said, he can dance. Plus, he is super excited.
July 28th, 2012 at 11:58 am
I want to see what this kid can do. given the chance i think he could be good.
July 28th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
@Mike J I’m in Jax myself TU isn’t half bad
July 28th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
How many good coaches were failed players?
July 28th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
How can you compare Underwood to Welker? Welker was a good player in Miami, and the Patriots traded a 2nd rounder for him (they traded a 4th for Randy Moss). I’m pulling for Underwood and hope he might be able to make an impact, but there is no comparison between him and Wes Welker.
July 29th, 2012 at 8:05 am
Seriously? We’re excited about Tiquan Underwood? Go and read through the Rotoworld notes on this guy over his career: http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/5458/tiquan-underwood
When you’re done laughing, get back to me with your thoughts on the chances of Underwood contributing anything.