Dwayne Carswell, often referred to as the best blocking tight end on the Broncos’ roster, will have a chance in 2004 to make an even bigger impact as a protector. In his 11th year with Denver, Carswell makes the switch to tackle and will compete with Matt Lepsis and George Foster for a starting role. This past offseason, Denver loaded up on tight ends with the acquisitions of Byron Chamberlain, O.J. Santiago and Jed Weaver, and even with the retirement of future Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, it is believed that Carswell will make an even greater impact on the offensive line than with the tight ends. Carswell has been one of the team’s best performers during his decade-long career, not only as a tight end but also on special teams. His career took a major step in a positive direction in 2001 as he was selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career after having been voted in as an alternate. Carswell’s Pro Bowl berth came a year after a breakthrough season in which he more than doubled his previous career bests with 49 receptions for 495 yards and three touchdowns. He had previously distinguished himself as one of the Broncos’ top special teams players, being chosen captain of that unit in 1997. Carswell has played in 141 career games (67 starts), catching 168 passes for 1,506 yards (9.0) with a long of 43 yards and 12 touchdowns while making 31 special teams tackles. He has also played in 10 postseason games (2 starts) and caught nine passes for 75 yards (8.3) with a long of 26 and made two special teams tackles. Carswell has played in every game for the Broncos since 1996, competing in 128 consecutive games entering the 2004 season. He began his career with the Broncos in 1994 as a rookie free agent from Liberty University.

2004: Carswell readjusted to playing tight end in 2004 after spending training camp as an offensive tackle, and the veteran appeared in 15 games (14 starts) to record 22 receptions for 198 yards (9.0 avg.) with one touchdown. He also was used as an H-back in certain formations. He hauled in a 9-yard catch in Denver’s regular-season finale vs. Ind. (1/2) in a game that secured a playoff spot for the Broncos. At Tenn. (12/25), he recorded a 14-yard reception in Denver’s Christmas win. Carswell caught a 9-yard pass at K.C. (12/19) for his only reception of the game. In a start vs. Mia. (12/12), he did not record a catch. He totaled one reception at S.D. (12/5) but was stopped at the line of scrimmage for no gain. Carswell made a 6-yard catch, his only reception, vs. Oak. (11/28), on a second-half Broncos touchdown drive. He had a season and team-high five catches for 27 yards (5.4 avg.) at N.O. (11/21). He was used in several different formations, including split wide, against the Saints. His two-catch, 19-yard (11.1 avg.) game vs. Hou. (11/7) was highlighted by a 15-yard reception during an efficient touchdown drive that took place with less than 1:30 left in the first half. He did not make a catch in a start vs. Atl. (10/31). Carswell missed Denver’s game at Cin. (10/25) because he was on the reserve/suspended list. He made two catches for 30 yards (15.0 avg.), including a 10-yard score on third-and-9 in the second quarter that marked his first touchdown this season, at Oak. (10/17). He turned in a huge game vs. Car. (10/10), during which he tied for the team-lead in receptions (4 catches for 45 yards – 11.3 avg.) and recorded the most receptions and rec