FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tim Tebow finally has a new team.
The New England Patriots announced the signing of the polarizing quarterback with the poor throwing motion on Tuesday, six weeks after he was cut by the New York Jets and just in time for the start of the three-day minicamp that runs through Thursday.
“Anything we do, we feel is in the best interests of the team,” coach Bill Belichick said at a standing-room-only news conference before practice. “We’ll see how it goes.”
Tebow, 25, is being reunited with Josh McDaniels, the Patriots offensive coordinator who was Denver’s head coach when the Broncos traded into the first round to take him with the 25th draft pick in 2010.
There is no guarantee that Tebow will still be with the Patriots when training camp begins next month, but if the Patriots keep him, he would have time to develop as a quarterback since Tom Brady holds that job. Tebow even could be tried at tight end, where the status of Rob Gronkowski is uncertain after he had his fourth operation on his broken left forearm on May 20.
In 2011, Tebow started 11 NFL games and threw for 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He led Denver to a wild-card win over Pittsburgh before the divisional loss to New England. He was traded to New York after that season when Denver signed Peyton Manning. With the Jets, Tebow completed six of eight passes and ran 32 times for 102 yards.
In addition to Brady, the Patriots also have Ryan Mallett at quarterback already, but they released Mike Kafka on Monday.
Tebow, who won the Heisman as a sophomore, has 2,422 passing yards and a 75.3 rating as an NFL quarterback.
Ravens cut Leach
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Vonta Leach was released Tuesday by the Baltimore Ravens, who failed to agree on a restructured contract with the All-Pro fullback.
Leach was an integral part of a running game that helped the Ravens become champions last season. Paving the way for standout halfback Ray Rice, Leach made the Pro Bowl in each of his two seasons with Baltimore and was a key figure in the locker room.
After negotiations reached a standstill, both sides agreed it would be best to terminate Leach’s contract. But Newsome left open the possibility that Leach could return if he fails to find an adequate suitor in the free-agent market.
Colts, RB agree to terms
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent running back Ahmad Bradshaw. The terms were not disclosed.
The 27-year-old Bradshaw gives the Colts depth in the backfield and he could challenge Donald Brown,Vick Ballard and Delone Carter for the starting role. In seven seasons with the Giants, Bradshaw played in 84 of 96 games, starting 33 and rushed for 4,232 yards and 32 touchdowns. Last season, Bradshaw ran for 1,015 yards on 221 carries, 4.6 yard average, and six touchdowns. After missing four games with injuries in 2012, the Giants parted ways with Bradshaw in February.
‘Pacman’ pleads not guilty
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones pleaded not guilty Tuesday to an assault charge after police say he hit a woman at a nightclub last week.
The 29-year-old Jones’ plea came a day after he was arrested and then released on his own recognizance. He was able to make it to the start of the Bengals’ training camp Tuesday but has declined to comment.
Jones is accused of hitting a 34-year-old woman at a downtown Cincinnati nightclub Wednesday shortly before midnight. A police report lists the injury as apparently minor.
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