Notable NFL roster cuts as teams set 53-man rosters

It's the roughest time of year in the NFL.

Teams had until 6 p.m. ET on Saturday to reduce their rosters from 75 to 53 players. You can see the complete list on the roster cuts tracker, but Around The League kept a running tally of the biggest names right here. 

What's next for Tebow?

Tim Tebow wasn't a fit for the Patriots, who cut him Saturday. Gregg Rosenthal examines the difficult choice now facing the QB. **More ...**

Tim Tebow, New England Patriots quarterback: The Patriotsdecided they were better off with just two quarterbacks on their roster and a developmental quarterback possibly going to the practice squad. It's hard to imagine Tebow getting a better chance to keep his career going. It's quite possible this is the end for him.

Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh Steelers running back: This was among Saturday's biggest surprises. Dwyer was cut loose despite an improved preseason and Le'Veon Bell's injury. Felix Jones remains on the roster.

Vince Young, Green Bay Packers quarterback: This was a small surprise following Graham Harrell's release. The Packers either will roll with B.J. Coleman as the backup or sign someone off waivers.

Robert Meachem, San Diego Chargers wide receiver: Meachem costs the Chargers $6.875 million this year in dead salary-cap money, but he was of no use for them. He'll go down as one of the worst free-agent signings of the last five years.

Antoine Winfield, Seattle Seahawks cornerback: This is why we said the Seahawks have the deepest roster in the league. It was reported early in the day that Winfield would be cut, then Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com reported that the 14-year NFL veteran would retire. He'll go down as one of the most underrated cornerbacks of his generation.

Brady Quinn, Seattle Seahawks quarterback:Tarvaris Jackson beat out Quinn for the backup job, and the Seahawks kept just two quarterbacks. Quinn could land with a team like Buffalo.

Tiquan Underwood, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver: Once cut the day before the Super Bowl by Bill Belichichk, Underwood couldn't stick on as the Buc's fourth receiver. 

Rocky McIntosh, Detroit Lions linebacker: McIntosh lasted less than three weeks for the linebacker-starved Lions. It's not a good sign for the 30-year-old he couldn't crack the roster.

Thaddeus Lewis, Buffalo Bills quarterback: Buffalo has just two quarterbacks on its roster, and rookie EJ Manuel is injured. (Lewis was later signed to the Bills practice squad.)

NFL roster cut tracker

Teams had until 6 p.m. ET on Saturday to reduce their rosters to a maximum of 53 players. Who was cut?

**More ...**

David Gettis, Carolina Panthers wide receiver: He injured himself during pregame warmups before the last preseason game. Armanti Edwards and Domenik Hixon both made the team.

Brandon Bogotay and Shayne Graham, Cleveland Browns kicker: It's not often that a team has no kickers on the roster. We're going to go ahead and predict that changes before Week 1.

Marvin Austin, David Carr and Ryan Torain, New York Giants: Austin lasted just two years after being drafted in the second round. Torain looked like a potential backup after Andre Brown's injury. Brown made the team. Carr could land elsewhere. Wide receiver Ramses Barden also was placed on injured reserve. Mike Patterson made the team.

Andre Carter and Joselio Hanson, Oakland Raiders: These two veterans were let go, while four quarterbacks, including undrafted rookie Matt McGloin, were kept. The team still has two punters, which won't last.

Ben Ijalana and Drake Nevis, Indianapolis Colts: These were the second- and third-round picks in the Polians' last draft with the Colts. Yikes.

Bobby Rainey and Tandon Doss, Baltimore Ravens: Rainey's release means the Ravens are carrying just two running backs. That surely will change. They kept seven wide receivers, including rookies Aaron Mellette and Marlon Brown.

Austin Collie, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver: The former Indianapolis Colt didn't make the team, but at least he stayed healthy in camp.

Ryan Lilja, Denver Broncos:Peyton Manning's former teammate's comeback was a nice story, but his knee bothered him.

Danny Watkins, Philadelphia Eagles guard: The 28-year-old former firefighter was one of the best stories and strangest first-round draft picks in recent memory. It didn't work out for him under Andy Reid or Chip Kelly.

Greg McElroy, New York Jets quarterback:Matt Simms earned the No. 3 quarterback job. It's quite a story for a player who made virtually no impact in college football.

John Skelton, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback:Josh Johnson won the battle for the backup job behind Andy Dalton.

Tony Moeaki, Kansas City Chiefs tight end: He once flashed serious potential, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy. He was waived/injured.

Leon Washington, New England Patriots running back: Washington was viewed as the favorite for kick-return duties, but the Pats are going with LeGarrette Blount and Brandon Bolden in the backfield. Rookie Josh Boyce is a candidate to take over kickoff returns.

Brandon Jackson, Cleveland Browns running back: Jackson was replaced by waiver claims Bobby Rainey and Dennis Johnson after managing just 1.5 yards per carry in preseason action.

D.J. Williams, Green Bay Packers tight end: He has a lot of athleticism and played a ton with the Packers' starters during training camp. Look for him to get a job.

Max Starks, San Diego Chargers offensive tackle:King Dunlap won the right to protect Philip Rivers' blind side.

Michael Bamiro, Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle: The mammoth Stony Brook lineman received a lot of guaranteed money to sign with the Eagles. He could land on the practice squad.

Clay Harbor, Philadelphia Eagles tight end:Chip Kelly decided to keep Emil Igwenagu over Harbor.

Cody Grimm, Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety: Russ' son gave up a lot of big plays in the Bucs' now-crowded secondary.

Jermaine Cunningham and Zoltan Mesko, New England Patriots: Mesko has been one of the better punters in the league, so his release comes as a surprise. Ryan Allen won the job with a strong camp. Cunningham, the 53rd pick in the 2010 draft, never could build on a solid rookie season as a pass rusher.

Rusty Smith, Tennessee Titans quarterback: The Titans kept just two quarterbacks. Smith could find a job elsewhere.

Fernando Velasco, Tennessee Titans center: He started 16 games for the team last season.

Marcus Trufant, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback: General manager David Caldwell will roll with one of the most inexperienced cornerback groups in football.

John Connor, Bengals fullback: "The Terminator" didn't make the squad. That's good news for "Hard Knocks" regular Orson Charles.

Jimmy Clausen, Carolina Panthers quarterback:Derek Anderson is the backup. Clausen's release comes as little surprise.

Drayton Florence, Carolina Panthers cornerback: Florence's release was a surprise after the team signed him to a one-year, $1 million contract in March.

J'Marcus Webb, Chicago Bears offensive tackle: After struggling through 44 starts over three seasons, the 6-foot-7 offensive tackle tweeted his release Friday morning. It's a good sign for the young Bears offensive line. 

Jordan Palmer, Chicago Bears quarterback:The founder of RunPee.com could get a call during the regular season if backup Josh McCown is hurt. The Bearsalso released quarterback Trent Edwards.

David Nelson, Cleveland Browns wide receiver: Signed for cheap, Nelson couldn't make an impact this summer after suffering an ACL tear in 2012 and battling a bone bruise in training camp.

Matt Leinart, Buffalo Bills quarterback: On the heels of a rough-and-tumble outing against the Detroit Lions on Thursday, the former first-round draft pick tweeted Friday that he has been released by the Bills. His career probably is over. 

Crezdon Butler, Buffalo Bills cornerback: Butler is not a big name, but he was viewed as a potential starter following Stephon Gilmore's injury. 

Daniel Fells and Jake Ballard, New England Patriots tight ends:Fells was released despite signing a three-year, $5.25 million contract in 2012. Ballard, claimed off waivers from the New York Giants last year, lacked speed after surgery. Undrafted rookie Zach Sudfeld and Michael Hoomanawanui are the healthy Patriots tight ends, with Rob Gronkowski on the roster but still recovering from back surgery. 

Brian Banks, Atlanta Falcons linebacker:Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com first reported that Banks was let go, and the Falconslater confirmed the news. His inspirational story might not be over. Glazer hints Banks could have some sort of role with the team. 

Dennis Dixon, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback: He never really had a chance after the Eagles drafted Matt Barkley.

Tony Pashos, Washington Redskins offensive tackle:Pashos' release ensures Tyler Polumbus will start at right tackle for the Redskins.

Mike Thomas, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver: The former Jacksonville Jaguar's career continues a steep decline. He caught 66 passes just a few years ago.

Jordan Shipley, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver: The Jags opted for Stephen Burton, waived by the Vikings on Saturday, over Shipley as the fifth receiver.

Austin Davis, St. Louis Rams quarterback:Kellen Clemens will back up Sam Bradford.

Anthony Allen and Delone Carter, Baltimore Ravens running backs:The Ravens just traded for Carter, but he didn't last long.

Dan Carpenter, New York Jets kicker: Carpenter just signed with the Jets a few days ago after he was cut by the Arizona Cardinals. His release leaves Nick Folk as the only kicker on the Jets' roster.

Lance Ball, Denver Broncos running back: Ball's release essentially locks Knowshon Moreno into third-down duties until Monte Ball and Ronnie Hillman shore up their pass-protection skills. Undrafted rookie C.J. Anderson is expected to take the fourth running-back spot.

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