Cutdown day roundup: Tebow, Young, Clausen headline final cuts

Add the names of Tim Tebow, Vince Young, Jimmy Clausen and Matt Leinart to the list of college star quarterbacks who have not been able to replicate their magic in the NFL. All three were cut Saturday as teams whittled down their rosters to the 53-man limit at the 6 p.m. ET deadline.

Tebow's cut wasn't a major surprise, even after he played well in the New England Patriots' preseason finale on Thursday.

Young appeared to have done enough the past three weeks to have earned the job as Aaron Rodgers' backup in Green Bay. But Young was sent packing, leaving B.J. Coleman as the only other quarterback on the Packers' roster.

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There was a time not long ago when it appeared the Carolina Panthers got a pretty big steal in Round Two when a sliding Clausen fell to them in the draft. What followed was a 1-15 season in which Clausen started the majority of games at quarterback, and he never rebounded since. Clausen never panned out, and the Panthers set him free Saturday morning.

And, although he had fallen from post-college grace somewhat faster than the others, Brady Quinn was cut by the Seahawks after failing to win their backup job.

The Panthers also cut cornerback Drayton Florence, who was expected to help fill a need in the secondary. This likely means that second-year corner Josh Norman has impressed the team enough to play a significant role.

Joining Clausen on the unemployment list is fellow 2010 second-rounder, Patriots defensive end Jermaine Cunningham. He was drafted one spot before fellow Florida Gator, Carlos Dunlap, who has become a star with the Bengals, but Cunningham never was able to carve out a significant niche in New England.

The Patriots also made a pair of surprise cuts with punter Zoltan Mesko and defensive tackle Marcus Fortson, according to various reports, with Mesko leaving Patriots fans with a first-class goodbye message.

Another high recent pick who was cut: Eagles 2011 first-round offensive guard Danny Watkins, who started following the lockout but was ineffective. Watkins was in trouble all summer and was cast off as an Andy Reid missed pick now that Reid is in Kansas City coaching the Chiefs.

The Seahawks also were busy, parting ways a pair of veterans — fullback Michael Robinson and cornerback Antoine Winfield. Robinson was a Pro Bowler two seasons ago, but he was outplayed by legally deaf fullback Derrick Coleman, who apparently will make the initial 53-man roster.

Winfield was added to an already stocked secondary to serve as the team's nickel back. But Walter Thurmond apparently outplayed Winfield, and CBSSports.com's Jason LaCanfora reports he'll be sent packing. Following the move, Winfield decided to retire, according to Sean Jensen of the Pioneer Press.

Despite injuries at their positions, the Steelers cut Jonathan Dwyer and the Packers cut Alex Green. Dwyer lost the starting job to Isaac Redman with Le'Veon Bell hurt, but the lack of depth there makes this a surprising cut. Alex Green was let go in Green Bay with rookie Eddie Lacy starting, but the loss for the season of DuJuan Harris makes the Green move a mild upset as well.

The Bills, after cutting Matt Leinart on Friday, have cut quarterback Thaddeus Lewis (whom they traded for linebacker Chris White), and they also have let go of linebacker Bryan Scott, after being unable to trade him before the cutdown deadline.

Other notable cuts include:

• The Chargers cut left tackle Max Starks, who couldn't beat out King Dunlap, and Robert Meachem, a bust since joining the team last season.

• A quartet of recent Lions draft picks: 2010 third-round safety Amari Spievey, 2012 fifth-round corner Chris Greenwood, and 2013 draft picks, receiver Corey Fuller and linebacker Brandon Hepburn. The Lions also cut Ron Bartell, a free-agent corner who was expected to vie for a starting spot.

• Bengals quarterback John Skelton, "Hard Knocks" whipping boy, which means that the Bengals will go with only Josh Johnson behind starter Andy Dalton.

• The Colts cutting their second- and third-round picks from 2011, Ben Ijalana and Drake Nevis.

• The Giants cutting David Gettis, who injured himself in the final preseason game, keeping Domenik Hixon and Armanti Edwards instead.

• Chiefs tight end Tony Moeaki, who suffered a fractured shoulder in the preseason finale and was waived.

• Packers tight end D.J. Williams, who was considered a potential replacement for Jermichael Finley at one point.

• Broncos center-guard Ryan Lilja, who was coaxed out of retirement but suffered from chronic knee troubles.

• Titans center Fernando Velasco, who went from 16-game starter a year ago to out on the streets.

• Lions offensive lineman Jake Scott, who was in the mix to start at right guard this summer.

• The 49ers cutting receivers Lavelle Hawkins, Austin Collie and Chad Hall.

• Browns wide receiver David Nelson, who has had a hard time staying healthy in his career.

• Jaguars corner Marcus Trufant, as the team apparently is going very young at the position.

• Jets quarterback Greg McElroy, who was beat out for his spot by Matt Simms as the No. 3 behind Geno Smith and Mark Sanchez. Don't be shocked if McElroy ends up on TV pretty fast of another playing job emerges.

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