The Denver Broncos were never prepared to cut Peyton Manning, but they did ask him to take a $10 million pay cut. The Broncos eventually were able to get Manning to agree upon a $4 million cut in pay.

Manning struggled down the stretch last season and the Broncos have been able to improve their roster around him this offseason.

According to Benjamin Allbright of 94.1 FM in Denver, the Denver Broncos tried to trade Peyton Manning to the Houston Texans during the offseason. He cites “two unrelated official sources” for the report, adding that “certain elements” of the Broncos organization wanted the Brock Osweiler era to start in 2015.

Manning's revised contract for 2015 includes a no-trade clause.

Manning struggled during the final part of the 2014 season.

Shane Ray is entering his rookie season in the NFL with confidence.

"I don't see anything less than Defensive Rookie of the Year. I mean that's my goal," Ray told Around The NFL from the Rookie Symposium on Monday.

Ray was the 23rd overall pick by the Denver Broncos.

"A lot of people might say that sounds cocky for you to say it right now, but I've always set high goals for myself, just like I did in college and that is something that I'm looking to prove, that I'm the best defensive rookie here," he said.

C.J. Anderson will begin training camp as No. 1 on the Denver Broncos' running back depth chart ahead of Montee Ball.

"We're right where we're at. Obviously C.J., that's in a lot of ways his spot to hang on to," coach Gary Kubiak said Monday, via ESPN. "I think that Montee has had a great offseason. I think Ronnie (Hillman) has had a really good offseason. I think it's very competitive. You never know about the backs until you put the pads on. I think C.J. has worked extremely hard. Coming off of last year he deserves that opportunity and I think he's getting ready for that opportunity. But he knows he's being pushed very hard."

Anderson has impressed the new coaches and they love the film he put on tape late last season.

"I think in this league as coaches you look for guys that can be three-down players," Kubiak said. "When you have two-down players, that's fine, but it's just very difficult in the game standpoint and getting them the ball and calling the game when you're not out there all the time. He has a knack for protection, he's very bright in protection. So he's a guy that's not going to leave the field -- as much as he can stand. And that's what the great ones do, so that gives him an excellent chance."

Demaryius Thomas is not expected to report to training camp without a new contract.

Considering the challenges of adjusting to Gary Kubiak's new offense, it's even more imperative that Peyton Manning hones his connection with his No. 1 receiver.

League executives have suggested to Ian Rapoport that Thomas deserves to be paid on par with Calvin Johnson, who signed an eight-year, $130 million contract in 2012.