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5 Good Things That Happened During The Broncos Offseason & A Bonus

/ CBS Colorado

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver Broncos training camp is fast approaching, and with it another eventful offseason in the books. The team made plenty of headlines, some good, some bad. Next week we will handle the negative, but here are the positives:

1. Peyton Manning Returned

While there were fans who were ready to move on from the Manning era, the future Hall of Famer's Peyton Manning's decision to come back gives the Broncos their best shot at winning in 2015 ... that is, if he can stay healthy.

Peyton Manning
Quarterback Peyton Manning at Broncos practice in June (credit: CBS)

2. Gary Kubiak Was Hired

While it can be argued whether or not Kubiak was the best coach available this offseason, he was certainly the best fit: former Bronco, former Broncos coach, reunited with John Elway.

Gary Kubiak
Head Coach Gary Kubiak of the Denver Broncos addresses the media during his introduction press conference at Dove Valley on January 20, 2015 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

3. Shane Ray Drafted

The Broncos feel they got a real steal when they were able to draft Missouri linebacker Shane Ray in the first round. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year was considered a Top 10 talent, but a draft week marijuana citation allowed the Broncos to trade up and select him at 23.

Shane Ray, Broncos 1st Round Pick
Shane Ray of the Missouri Tigers holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #23 overall by the Denver Broncos during the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

4. Free Agent Signings

This year's signings certainly couldn't live up to last year's haul of Pro Bowlers in Ware/Ward/Talib/Sanders, but the Broncos landed a few players to be excited about. Owen Daniels tops my list, the two-time Pro Bowler gives Manning a reliable target at tight end to replace Julius Thomas, and Daniels has spent his entire career playing for Gary Kubiak so he should be a good leader on the offense. Safety Darian Stewart is a name to watch on defense as he should slide into a starting role replacing Rahim Moore.

Owen Daniels
Owen Daniels after practice in June (credit: CBS)

5. Pat Bowlen Elected Into Ring of Fame

There was only one person who questioned this decision, and it was Pat Bowlen. The Broncos owner will be officially added as the 28th member during the Broncos Nov. 1 game against the Packers. Broncos President/CEO Joe Ellis told reporters that the always humble Bowlen's reaction to the news was, "Why the hell would you guys do that?" The rest of Broncos Country applauded the announcement.

Pat Bowlen Statue
The Pat Bowlen statue (credit: CBS)

BONUS No. 6. Broncos Beat Deadline, Sign Demaryius Thomas to Long-Term Deal

The Broncos and star wide receiver Demaryius Thomas agreed on a contract extension ahead of the franchise tag contract negotiation deadline.

Demaryius Thomas lead
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 2: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos gives supporters high fives as he goes into the locker room after warming up before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 2, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Mark Haas is CBS4's weekend sports anchor and sports reporter. Read his bio or follow him on Twitter @markhaastv or on Facebook.

First published on July 15, 2015 / 11:09 PM MDT

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