Ex-NFL All-Pro claps back at Michigan QB Bryce Underwood with 'prove me wrong' statement
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Ex-NFL All-Pro claps back at Michigan QB Bryce Underwood with 'prove me wrong' statement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The friendly banter between ex-NFL All-Pro Eric Weddle and Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood has continued.
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After Underwood took to Instagram in response to Weddle's dismissive comments, suggesting Underwood wouldn't live up to the hype in Ann Arbor, Weddle has since toned down the intensity while keeping his overall message afloat.
"So let me give a little context because everyone just thinks when I say [Bryce Underwood] can't throw it means he literally can't throw it," Weddle said in an interview with Rich Eisen. "It means I didn't — I don't think he's very accurate. And when I say he, I don't think he can play quarterback, it means playing the position at the standard that I think he should be at."
Weddle, too, wants to see Underwood succeed but also knows that not every quarterback with as much promise as him from his high school years results in immediate collegiate success.
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"Obviously, hearing it doesn't come off very well, but the point is, you have to play quarterback a certain way to win a national championship. And my understanding of Michigan is they expect national championships and these kids are paid to play a certain way, right?" Weddle said. "So, what I saw from two games last year, and then I went out to spring ball, I saw not very good QB play. Now I know the coaches there are coaching and doing the best they can and are going to, and they're going to put them in their best foot forward, right?"
Having said that, Weddle said his comments should be a teachable moment for Underwood to want to play better as his career goes on.
"Now go prove me wrong," Weddle said. "Like this isn't going to be the first time someone says something negative about you."
Weddle made one aspect clear: he is unapologetic.
"And listen, I don't take back what I said," Weddle said.
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Now, it's up to Underwood to see how he responds this fall.