Pats retain vet Warren, drop oft-released Underwood

BY NICK ST. DENIS

As expected, the Patriots retained the services of veteran defensive lineman Gerard Warren Thursday. And as we're used to, they released receiver Tiquan Underwood.

The 33-year-old Warren has been successful the last two years with the Patriots in his role as another big body to take some of the load off of Vince Wilfork. Warren made 16 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in 12 games last season after tallying 36 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 16 games and 12 starts in 2010.

Warren, who has amassed 467 tackles, 36.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 18 passes defensed in his 11-year career, played in all three of the Patriots' playoff games last season. Warren previously played for the Browns, Broncos and Raiders.

Underwood, on the other hand, gained his popularity by being the lucky man who got dropped from the gameday roster the evening before the Super Bowl in February. He's now been signed and released by the Patriots three times since the end of August.

Underwood was a seventh-round draft choice by the Jaguars in 2009. He caught three passes for 30 yards last season in five appearances with the Patriots.

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Patriots bring back pre-Super Bowl drop Underwood

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Patriots dropped receiver Tiquan Underwood the night before losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. He's back.

New England signed Underwood and six others to future contracts Tuesday, as announced on the team's website.

Underwood didn't get to participate in the big game despite spending the two weeks prior preparing with the team and going through all the festivities in the week leading up to the game.

Patriots drop WR Underwood day before Super Bowl

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Patriots raised a few eyebrows Saturday night.

New England, which is set to face the Giants in Indianapolis Sunday for Super Bowl XLVI, announced it released receiver Tiquan Underwood Saturday, just 24 hours before kickoff.

Underwood, who was released Sept. 3 before being re-signed Nov. 24, played in five games for the Patriots during the 2011 season. Underwood recorded three catches for 30 yards as a Patriot.

"This is nothing but MOTIVATION," Underwood wrote on Twitter less than an hour after the announcement was made. He then wished the Patriots luck.

O'Brien: No. 3 WR rotation is 'beauty of what Pats do'

Posted by Nick St. Denis

With Chad Ochocinco sitting out last Sunday due to a hamstring injury, second-year wideout Taylor Price was expected to see some time as the New England Patriots' third wide receiver.

Instead, Price didn't see a snap, and Julian Edelman and recently-signed Tiquan Underwood instead shared the No. 3 role.