[Sly Fox]

Its been a tough year for Dwayne but we are proud of him nonetheless:

Broncos tell popular Carswell, Van Pelt they will be released

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
September 2, 2006

ENGLEWOOD - Make no mistake, the scrap for spots on the Broncos roster is not a popularity contest.

All the proof anybody needs of that came out of the team's Dove Valley complex Friday as Dwayne Carswell and Bradlee Van Pelt were told by the Broncos they would be released by today's 4 p.m. deadline.

Rosters leaguewide must be trimmed to 53 players by this afternoon and the Broncos can sign an eight-player practice squad beginning Sunday.

The Broncos announced no moves but told nine players Friday to expect their release. Several teams turned in at least a partial list of cuts to the NFL, but the Broncos did not.

Carswell, who was set to enter his 13th season with the team and started at left tackle during the preseason finale in Arizona, left the Broncos complex just after 2 p.m.

"It's one of those things that happens as far as the business," Carswell said. "It's very tough. It's all I know as far as professional football. This organization, that's it. I've got a lot of memories, a lot of good friends, a lot of good coaches. It's pretty much where I grew up, so it was real tough."

Carswell suffered multiple internal injuries, including a lacerated diaphragm, Oct. 27 in a near-fatal car accident and had his spleen removed.

The veteran, who repeatedly was called "a warrior" by coach Mike Shanahan, spent time at tight end, guard and tackle during his career with the team and was the special teams captain in 1997.

He went to the Pro Bowl in 2001 and made the team in 1994 as an undrafted rookie out of Liberty University.

"I feel that I came back pretty good (from the accident), I feel good now, healthy," Carswell said. "I was just getting back into the groove of things. Every year is different. It fell my way for 12 (years), not 13.

"You go to your locker and realize you won't be dressing in this locker room any more. Your name won't be on the name tag. Other than that, it hasn't really hit me yet."

Carswell said he hoped to continue his NFL career and was "weighing my options." He added "(Shanahan) stuck with me over the years. He's been behind me and in my corner. He said it was a tough decision, and I believe that."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/n ... 32,00.html

[krh44]

That's too bad. We just have Gado to pull for now. Maybe someone will give him a chance.

[Baldspot]

I never imagined him making it to the NFL when he first arrived on campus as a tailback. Sam moved him to TE so he could get some PT. Guess that worked out okay. To make it as a pros, and then to last all those years is phenomenal. He's really in a rare class to have that many years under his belt.

For a small school that has yet to make the playoffs at any level in football, LU has certainly had their share of NFL talent come thru the ranks. It's been a little dry lately but hopefully Gado is the start of more talent moving thru the ranks into the NFL.

[PeterParker]

He should give the Patriots a call, or better yet call up Gado to see if Green Bay could use him on the line.

[bigsmooth]

well if he does not land with another team, congrats to carswell. he had a pretty solid career.

[Sly Fox]

Anybody who logs over a decade in the league has had an unbelievable career. We're all extremely proud of him.

[TIMSCAR20]

I have to believe the car accident had something to do with this although they probably said it in the article. I have not read it yet. I did notice a few weeks ago that there was some other guy wearing his jersey in pre-season.