Tiquan Underwood's banishment from Patriots Nation didn't last long.
The young wide receiver, who was released the night before the Super Bowl, was signed to a futures contract Tuesday, along with six other players . . . including (naturally) defensive back Ross Ventrone.
Futures contracts are given to players who were not on the active roster when the team's season ends -- in the Pats' case, on Sunday -- and are called "futures contracts" because the next league season doesn't begin until March.
The others who were signed are LB Markell Carter, WR Britt Davis, OL Matt Kopa, DE Aaron Lavarias and LB Mike Rivera. All but Underwood ended the year on the Patriots' practice squad.