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by CAL_BEAR » Sun Sep 05, 2004 1:21 am 
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - (KRT) - Jed Weaver and Byron Chamberlain started training camp as dual favorites to succeed Shannon Sharpe as the Denver Broncos' starting tight end, but both of them were told Saturday they won't even make the team.
Weaver and Chamberlain both said the team informed them Saturday morning they will be released Sunday. The Broncos could change their mind before they officially submit their cuts to the NFL before Sunday's 2 p.m. MDT deadline, but that's very unlikely unless there is a last-minute injury.
Jeb Putzier, who was impressive in training camp and exhibition games, is the best tight end still on the Broncos and likely becomes the starter. Patrick Hape, who caught two passes in the exhibition season, and long snapper Mike Leach are the other tight ends on the roster.
The Broncos might be adding tight end depth from within the roster. Weaver said he was told by team officials the Broncos will move Dwayne Carswell, who switched to left tackle this offseason, back to tight end. Carswell, who gained about 30 pounds up to 295 to play tackle after 10 NFL seasons at tight end, said he hadn't been informed of a position switch back to tight end but was willing to do it.
"I'm not stretching the field, but I could do it," Carswell said.
Chamberlain was the starter for almost the entire exhibition season and caught eight passes for 119 yards - the same amount of catches and 26 more yards than Putzier - so he was surprised by the news.
"I'm kind of surprised and disappointed," Chamberlain said. "I don't know what to say."
Weaver was a starter last year with San Francisco and the Broncos gave him a three-year contract this offseason worth a little more than $3million, and it included a $500,000 signing bonus. However, he never seemed comfortable in Denver's offense. He caught one pass in five exhibition games and dropped two passes in Thursday's exhibition finale.
"Why give someone the contract I got and get them out of here?" Weaver said. "I think you'd want to see what he could do for at least one season."
Although the Broncos have thinned out their tight ends, Sharpe said Saturday he has no desire to come back. Sharpe, who retired earlier this year to work on CBS' "The NFL Today" program, was at Invesco Field at Mile High for Thursday's exhibition game and was at Denver's headquarters Friday and Saturday working out. A Broncos spokesman said Sharpe was not working on an assignment for CBS, but Sharpe said he is not considering a comeback.
"I like sitting around the house," Sharpe said.
The Broncos appear to have one more roster decision to make. Receiver Charlie Adams and safety Sam Brandon both left the team headquarters shortly before a team meeting at noon, but neither was told he has been released. The Broncos are trying to trade Brandon, a fourth-round pick in 2002. If the Broncos trade Brandon, Adams could get the final roster spot. The Broncos might have to make a decision between Adams and Brandon if they can't make a trade.
The rest of the roster appears set. Cornerback Roc Alexander, who graduated from Wasson High School, is one of 11 defensive backs who has seemingly made the 53-man roster. Receiver Nate Jackson, fullback Kyle Johnson, safety Chris Young and linebacker Patrick Chukwurah were other players on the bubble who have apparently earned jobs.
