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Buccaneers cut Preston Parker, re-sign Tiquan Underwood

Aug 29, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tiquan Underwood (11) lines up in front of Washington Redskins cornerback David Jones (25) during the second half at FedEx Field.  Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-US PRESSWIRE
Aug 29, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tiquan Underwood (11) lines up in front of Washington Redskins cornerback David Jones (25) during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-US PRESSWIRE

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to make roster moves, but this one comes as a bit of a surprise. The Bucs have cut wide receiver Preston Parker and re-signed WR Tiquan Underwood. The two are very different players, with Underwood being more of an outside deep threat while Parker is strictly a slot receiver. Having signed Jordan Shipley and with Arrelious Benn returning from injury, though, the Bucs likely feel like they have adequate depth at slot receiver, even with Sammie Stroughter's foot injury which could turn into a long-term deal.

Parker's value had strongly diminished the past few weeks, as he was stripped of punt return duties after multiple muffed punts this year. In addition, he had caught all of 0 passes so far this year, despite being arguably the team's best receiver last season. One aspect of this move is a little perplexing: the decision to keep Sammie Stroughter on the roster over Preston Parker, despite Stroughter's injury - which means he likely won't be able to contribute for at least a number of weeks.

Meanwhile, Tiquan Underwood brings in another deep threat to an offense that displayed a lot of big-play potential last week. Underwood was very productive during the preseason, catching 9 passes for 158 yards in the four preseason game. He was cut when the Bucs had to get down to a 53-man roster, but he is now back and should be able to contribute. I wouldn't expect him to do much as a receiver, but there's one area where he could quickly be productive: as a kick returner. He got a shot at that job during the final game of the preseason and looked okay, while the kick returns for the Bucs have so far been rather disappointing.