Seahawks cut ties to Dyson, Sharper

The Seattle Seahawks on Thursday cut cornerback Andre Dyson and linebacker Jamie Sharper, both of whom signed as free agents in 2005.

The cuts saved the Seahawks more than $6.7 million against the league’s $94.5 million salary cap for 2006 and left them about $13 million below the cap. The room could be key to the team’s hopes for re-signing running back Shaun Alexander and other key veterans such as wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, Pro Bowl fullback Mack Strong or sack leader Rocky Bernard.

Dyson, 26, started 10 games (including playoffs) last season, and had two return touchdowns against Philadelphia during a 41-0 win on Monday Night Football. Sharper, 31, played in just eight games because of chronic knee soreness.

Seattle also released backup cornerback Michael Harden.

“Tennessee paid a $1 million fee to keep quarterback Steve McNair this season but allow the NFL’s 2003 co-MVP to become a free agent after 2006.

“Oakland cut defensive lineman Ted Washington, offensive lineman Ron Stone and defensive back Denard Walker, saving the team more than $12 million in salary cap room for next season.

“Carolina released linebacker Brandon Short, saving almost $2 million, and safety Mike Minter finalized a restructure of his contract that gave the Panthers a $1.7 million cushion.

Prosecutor denies racism

The prosecutor in Minnesota’s boat party case denied that race played any role in his decision to charge four black players and not two white men for their alleged conduct on a cruise last October.

Lawyers for Vikings players Daunte Culpepper and Moe Williams accused prosecutor Steven Tallen of racial discrimination on Wednesday.

They served a motion on Tallen asking for the dismissal of charges against the two players, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.