TAMPA — Tiquan Underwood has been standing out in Tampa Bay Bucs training camp so far — and not just because of his distinctive ‘do sculpted in a high-top fade.
It’s mostly for the fades and deep routes he’s been running – and several long passes he’s been hauling in — as an aspiring member of the Bucs’ receiving brigade.
There have only been five workouts so far in camp, but Underwood is making an impressive bid for a job in the pass-catching competition — and making the most of a possible second chance in the NFL.
He owes that opportunity to new Bucs head coach Greg Schiano and the bond they formed at Rutgers University.
Playing for Schiano for four seasons, Underwood established himself as the eighth-leading receiver in Scarlet Knight history with 1,932 receiving yards and 132 catches, with a spectacular junior season that ranks fourth in yardage and receptions (1,100 and 65) and touchdowns (16).
But his journey through the NFL the past three seasons has not been nearly so memorable. A seventh-round pick by Jacksonville in 2009, he made the team as a rookie but saw little action. In 2010, he saw spot duty in 10 games. But last year, he was cut just before the season began and claimed by New England. All told, he’s played in 19 games over three seasons, catching 11 passes for 141 yards.
And on the eve of his biggest moment, a chance to play in the Super Bowl this past February, Underwood endured his greatest disappointment.
He was released the night before the game, when Patriots head coach Bill Belichick decided to activate an extra defensive lineman. The 25-year-old from New Brunswick, N.J., took the disappointment in stride, re-signed with the Patriots two days after their loss to the Giants 21-17 – only to be released again this spring with the signing of Jabbar Gaffney.
That’s when Schiano stepped in, opening the door to his former star wideout and giving him the shot he’s been craving.
Listening to Underwood talk about his ups and downs, it doesn’t take long to see what Schiano likes about him as a person. He comes across as mature and thoughtful, and he conveys the kind of determination and upbeat spirit that his coach values.
That certainly doesn’t guarantee him a spot on the 53-man roster. But the speed and sure hands he has displayed in camp are helping him make his case.
In June, Schiano spoke of his decision to bring Underwood into the fold.
“No. 1, I know him as a person,” he said. “He has the core values that I think we’re looking for as a person. No. 2, he can run. There’s different kinds of speed …. He can do it. I know he’ll work hard.
“Will he make the team? I don’t know. That’s up to him. But he certainly has done a good job and dove right in full force. It’s fun to see a guy leave as a senior and then have the experience of pro football. He’s become a pro. It’s fun to see.”
Underwood points to his time with the Patriots as a key step in his growth as a professional, immersed in an older pass-catching crew and a strong work ethic among all the receivers.
With the Bucs, he’s actually one of the older players in the unit. Beyond No. 1 receiver Vincent Jackson, 2011 leading receivers Mike Williams and Preston Parker, and versatile Sammie Stroughter, there’s a competition going on among Tampa Bay wideouts. The knee injury sustained by long-ball threat Arrelious Benn could create a need for another speed receiver. That could increase Underwood’s chances of latching on and playing a role in the offense.
“This is my third team now in four years, and being in my fourth year now as somewhat of a vet, I just try to try to take it day by day and not worry about anything,” he said this week. “(I just want to) leave it all out on the field each and every day.”
His confidence appears to be growing steadily as well, something he attributes to growing more accustomed to the scheme. “I’m just getting more comfortable with the playbook,” he said. “When you’re comfortable and know what you’re doing, you can play fast. And I’m just trying to do that and show the coaches that they can depend on me.”
Schiano has seen that in the early going of camp.
What does Tiquan Underwood bring to the mix?
“Well, he has had a good first four days of camp,” Schiano said Monday. “He has made some big plays, you know ‘chunk’ plays, which are critical in offensive football. … You know four days doesn’t camp make. You got to have first four before you can have the second. Right now, he is off to a good start.”
Being from New Jersey, Underwood followed the New York Giants closely and couldn’t be happier to play within the system of former Giants offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan.
“I got to watch the Giants a lot when I played at Rutgers, just the success they’ve had with two Super Bowls in the last five years, with two running backs sharing time and playing well, and the receivers playing well,” he said. “I’m excited to be in an offense of this caliber.”
And Underwood is delighted to be reunited with his college head coach. He’s become a source of Schiano information for his teammates, who want to know what he was like at Rutgers. Underwood says he’s pretty much the same man and coach with the Bucs as he was with the Scarlet Knights.
“That was college and now you’re coaching grown men at the NFL level, so there are some differences,” he said. “But overall, he’s the same. … Coach Schiano is Coach Schiano. He’s very strict and demanding perfection. He just wants guys to do the right thing, on and off the field. At the end of the day, it’s all about doing your job. And if you do that, and stay out of trouble, you’ll be fine.”
You’ll even stand out in the pack for more than a really cool haircut.
