Steelers release Jackson

The linebacker was among 12 players released by Pittsburgh Saturday.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Alonzo Jackson, a 2003 second-round draft pick who struggled to make the transition to outside linebacker in the Pittsburgh Steelers' 3-4 defense, was among 12 players released Saturday.
Also cut were wide receiver Fred Gibson, a fourth-round draft pick from Georgia; 11-year tight end Walter Rasby; special teams standout Russell Stuvaints; long snapper Mike Schneck; No. 4 quarterback Brian St. Pierre; and rookie defensive end Shaun Nua, a seventh-round draft pick.
Making the team were No. 3 quarterback Charlie Batch, a former Detroit Lions starter whose roster status was in doubt until he threw two touchdown passes Thursday against Carolina, as well as safety Tyrone Carter, rookie running back Noah Herron of Northwestern, un-drafted rookie wide receiver Noah Washington of Tiffin University and second-year tight end Matt Kranchick of Penn State.
Washington is one of the leading career receivers in NCAA Division II but was a decided long-shot to make the team when training camp began. The Steelers had not cut a draft pick chosen as high as Gibson since fourth-round receiver Danny Farmer of UCLA was cut in 2000.
Jackson, considered a long-term project when he was drafted, played in only three games in two seasons after saying in training camp a year ago that he expected to be a starter.
Though the 6-foot-4, 268-pound Jackson made several plays against Carolina, there were increasing signs late in camp that he didn't have a future in Pittsburgh. He is the highest-round draft pick the Steelers have cut during Bill Cowher's 14 seasons as coach.
Dissatisfied with progress
The Steelers also rarely release upper-round draft picks during their rookie years, but were dissatisfied with Gibson's progress during camp. He dropped several passes and, at 6-foot-4 and 202 pounds, looked physically overmatched at times against stronger defensive backs.
Schneck has been a reliable long snapper for six seasons, but rookie Greg Warren of North Carolina handled all but one snap during the preseason. Economics entered into the decision; Schneck was to make $540,000, while Warren will make $230,000. The Steelers were only about $1 million under the salary cap going into the weekend.
Warren is a rarity, a college walk-on who makes an NFL roster. He walked on at North Carolina, held the long snapper's job for four seasons and snapped for Steelers kicker Jeff Reed there in 2001.
Other cuts
Also cut were free agent linebacker Andre Frazier, who made an impression early in camp and likely will be on the practice squad if he is not claimed by another team; second-year guard Jim Jones, center Ben Claxton, defensive end Eric Taylor and outside linebacker Dedrick Roper.
St. Pierre's chances of beating out Batch disappeared after Batch played most of the final three quarters in the 21-17 victory against Carolina, throwing two touchdown passes, and St. Pierre didn't play. St. Pierre, a 2003 fifth-round pick from Boston College, apparently isn't interested in going on the practice squad and will look for a job elsewhere in the league.
Batch has thrown only eight passes in three seasons with his hometown Steelers, but could be a valuable backup should either Ben Roethlisberger or Tommy Maddox be hurt.