New England Patriots wide receiver Tiquan Underwood answers a question during Media Day for NFL football's Super Bowl XLVI Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, in Indianapolis.

The New England Patriots made a roster move on Saturday, just 24 hours before Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants.

In what to some seems like a shocking move, the Patriots cut WR Tiquan Underwood and signed DE Alex Silvestro from the practice squad.  The move was not disciplinary in nature and was made to give New England depth on the defensive line as the game goes deeper.

Look at the move this way, by cutting Underwood now, he was able to spend the entire week in Indianapolis with his teammates and family.  He got to be involved in all the team and league activities, he is in the team picture and should New England win on Sunday, he will surely be awarded a ring for his contributions this season.

While to many it seems like a cold and heartless move by Bill Belichick, it really should be looked at as a reward by doing it now.  Belichick could have cut him a week ago and left him in Foxboro but he came along was part of the team.  Tomorrow will be no different for him then if he were inactive and not dressing.

I’m sure Underwood is disappointed, personally and professionally, but he is a professional and went on Twitter and made these statements:

“This Is Nothing But MOTIVATION…I Been Thru A LOT…But There Are Ppl in This World w/More Serious Problems So I Can’t Hang The Head…Thank You Lord.  Good Luck to The New England Organization, The Coaches, & All My Teammates.”

For those out there who are saying the Giants should claim Underwood, they can’t. They’ll have to wait until Monday when he clears waivers.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII

Photo credit: AP Photo