HAMILTON — If Tiquan Underwood had only one thing going for him this week, it’s that at least the quarterback knows his name.
The former NFL receiver joined the Ticats earlier this month and hopes to join one of the deepest teams in the CFL at the receiver position.
But following the Ticats three-day mini-camp at McMaster University’s Ron Joyce Stadium this week, Underwood said he’s ready to bring the heat – something he learned during a six-year NFL career.
“Competing,” said Underwood, asked what he learned how to do most during his NFL stay. “No matter who you’re going against, always compete.”
Underwood played for four NFL teams in six years, which is why competition for a roster spot is no foreign concept. Including putting in the work off the field to know your assignment, competition provides the backbone of carving out a successful career in pro football.
Here in Hamilton this week, Underwood joined veteran receivers Brandon Banks and Luke Tasker as well as a handful of fresh CFL prospects – Tim Smith, Terrence Toliver and Deon Anthony – who look for a crack at a CFL training camp.
New league, sure, but this is hardly new territory for Underwood.
“Down there, everybody’s talented,” said Underwood. “But you’ve got to know your assignments and those are the guys that are going to play.”
“I plan on bringing that up here with me to hopefully give me an edge.”
But Head Coach and General Manager Kent Austin said there’s no specific formula or exact science to speak of.
“We do look at the composition of our receiving core across the board, and make sure there’s a complementary set of skills that we need to make our offence and the passing game as effective as possible,” said Austin. “But we don’t say there’s a minimum height or a minimum weight or speed.”
“Can they play the game? Are they football players first and foremost? That’s what we’re trying to bring in.”
In short, the Ticats are looking for versatility – players that complement one another’s skill-set.
“It’s making sure that we have enough pieces – that the overall core and the versatility within that core complement each other,” Austin continued. “We don’t want all of the same type of receiver, because then we can’t really split guys up and partner them together or move our receivers around.”
So where does Underwood fit into the Ticats’ plans? He was brought in for a look-see, but does he fit the mold of a receiver that’s ‘different’?
Whatever the answer is, the Rutgers alum, who played against Zach Collaros’ Cincinnati Bearcats in college, claims to possess exactly what Coach Austin covets.
“To me, to be a total receiver, you have to be able to stretch the field and also run short routes,” explained Underwood. “Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to be open to doing it.”
Underwood wouldn’t characterize himself as any one type of receiver, other than one with the football smarts necessary to make plays – something that would make him a good fit in Austin’s offence.
“Just being a smart player,” he said. “This is my sixth year playing professional football, so I pride myself on knowing my assignments and being someone the coaches can count on.”
Underwood’s NFL career started in 2009 when he was drafted in the seventh round – 253rd overall – by the Jacksonville Jaguars. After two years with the Jags and a brief stint with the New England Patriots, his best professional seasons came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2012 to 2013.
After being released by the Bucs and then in 2014 with the Carolina Panthers, he arrives at Ticats mini-camp with something to prove.
“It’s very motivating,” Underwood said. “Going in the seventh round – it’s a blessing to get drafted no matter what round it is, but when you go that late you kind of have a chip on your shoulder.”
“Now, not playing last year and being cut in Carolina and coming up here, I feel like it’s a breath of fresh air and a new opportunity. I just want to take full advantage of it.”
