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Tim Tebow cut by New England Patriots

The New England Patriots parted ways with quarterback Tim Tebow on Saturday.
(Jared Wickerham / Getty Images)
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Tim Tebow won a Heisman Trophy, a riveting playoff game and an international following.

On Saturday, he lost his third NFL job in 18 months. It might be hard to find another.

The quarterback with two big problems — throwing the ball and reading defenses — was cut by the New England Patriots less than 12 weeks after they signed him and five days before the season.

But, as Tebow sees it, this long journey is not over.

“I will remain in relentless pursuit of continuing my lifelong dream of being an NFL quarterback,” he tweeted.

Coach Bill Belichick gave the player whose profile was higher than his production what may have been his last chance when he signed him June 11, the day the Patriots’ three-day minicamp began. And Tebow is grateful.

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He thanked Belichick, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and owner Robert Kraft, who said last Tuesday he was “rooting” for Tebow but would let Belichick make the decision.

Chargers cut Meachem

The San Diego Chargers released wide receiver Robert Meachem, whose signing in 2012 was a $14-million mistake by the A.J. Smith regime.

Meachem’s release Saturday, along with 10 others to get down to the 53-man limit, came two days after he sustained a concussion following a reception in a 41-6 loss to San Francisco in the exhibition finale.

Meachem was part of a costly, unproductive free-agent class in 2012, which was viewed as a desperate gamble by Smith to save his job as general manager. He and coach Norv Turner were fired a day after the Chargers finished last season at 7-9, their first losing record in 10 years and their third straight year out of the playoffs.

Clausen waived

The Carolina Panthers waived former second-round draft pick Jimmy Clausen, a move that leaves them with two quarterbacks entering the season.

Clausen, the former Notre Dame quarterback, started 10 games as a rookie in 2010 and threw for 1,558 yards with three touchdowns and nine interceptions in a 2-14 season. The Panthers drafted Cam Newton the following April.

Derek Anderson is Newton’s backup.

Four QBs in D.C.

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The Washington Redskins are keeping four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster.

Pat White, who this year returned to the NFL after a detour through baseball, made the cut Saturday when the team trimmed its roster at the league’s deadline.

He joins Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins and Rex Grossman as the QBs for the reigning NFC East champions.

In training camp, White looked like a rusty quarterback who hasn’t played in the NFL since 2009, the year he was a second-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins.

He played better in preseason games, and he provides an extra bit of insurance with both Griffin (knee) and Cousins (foot) coming off injuries.

Miller OK to play

The Pittsburgh Steelers have activated Heath Miller off the physically-unable-to-perform list, clearing the way for the two-time Pro Bowl right end to play in the season opener against Tennessee on Sept. 8.

Miller tore ligaments in his right knee last December against Cincinnati. He hinted last week he was close to a return, a major boost for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as the Steelers try to bounce back from an 8-8 season. Miller caught a team-high 71 passes for 819 yards and eight touchdowns in 2012.

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While Miller is back, running back Jonathan Dwyer is gone. The Steelers made Dwyer one of 22 cuts as the team pared its roster to 53 players. Dwyer led the Steelers with 623 yards rushing last season but struggled with consistency.

Etc.

Vince Young’s days with the Green Bay Packers are over. The veteran vying for a backup job went on Twitter to thank Green Bay for giving him an opportunity and wished the team well this season. Young’s departure leaves B.J. Coleman on the roster to back up Aaron Rodgers.

The Bengals picked Josh Johnson as their backup quarterback, waiving John Skelton as they got down to the 53-man roster limit. The two were competing for the spot behind Andy Dalton. Skelton had never run a West Coast offense and was behind in the competition as a result.

The Cleveland Browns have terminated the contract of veteran Shayne Graham, leaving the club without a kicker with just a week left until their season opener. Graham’s release was surprising because the Browns also cut rookie kicker Brandon Bogotay.

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