Seahawks Release Mcendoo, Jackson Several Other Area Players Released As Teams Slim To 60-Man Roster Limit

Former Washington State University offensive lineman Jason McEndoo was the biggest name among the 18 players released by the Seattle Seahawks on Monday.

With Chris Gray developing skills as a PAT snapper and Jason Kyle showing improvement on punt snaps, McEndoo was looking more and more like a candidate for the five-man practice squad, which will be named Monday.

McEndoo’s old Washington State teammate, receiver Chris Jackson, also was cut.

Jackson played well early in camp, but the Seahawks had just one opening for a receiver. That spot will be filled by Bobby Shaw or Robert Wilson.

Jackson, a basketball player coming out of high school, was far less polished than Shaw, who spent four years at California and caught more passes than all but three players in Pacific-10 Conference history.

Shaw was taken in the sixth round; Wilson played on the practice squad last year. Each is eligible for the practice squad this year, although the Seahawks might have trouble sneaking Shaw through waivers.

Veteran Tyree Davis and rookie Brian Finneran also were among the receivers released Monday.

Ex-Washington Husky linebacker Chris Campbell also was released.

Others released were: kicker Wade Richey, punter Dirk Johnson, cornerback Carlos Jones, safety T.J. Cunningham, fullbacks Oscar Gray and Vershan Jackson, tight end Furnell Hankton, linebacker Jamie Baisley, tackles Tashe Williams and Jason Sadler, and defensive linemen Paul Spicer, Jarrett Loggins and Stuart Hanson.

That leaves 63 players on the roster - counting injured guard Greg Bloedorn - and means the Seahawks must make three more cuts to be in compliance with the 60-man deadline today.

A decision has yet to be made on Bloedorn, who would be offered an injury settlement if the Seahawks choose to cut him.

Leading candidates to be among the cuts still to be made are quarterback Jim Arellanes and either James Burton or Reggie Rusk, both cornerbacks. Linebacker Michael Barber offers another option.

Former WSU running back Michael Black made the first cut, but he remains a likely candidate for the practice squad because the Seahawks already have five running backs.

Elsewhere, former Shadle Park and WSU defensive end Shane Doyle was released by Buffalo along with former WSU teammate Duane Stewart, a defensive back.

San Diego cut offensive linemen Jim Mills (Idaho) and Jim Buzzard (Eastern Washington).

Chris Jackson’s brother, former WSU defensive back Ray Jackson, was cut by Carolina. Former Idaho linebacker Ryan Smith was also cut by Carolina. Minnesota cut former Idaho wide receiver Yo Murphy.

Ex-Vandal Barry Mitchell was waived by Atlanta with an injury settlement.