When the Denver Broncos created the first legitimate surprise of the 2015 NFL Draft, the message could not have been clearer.

If you've been following the Rockies in their spring exhibition games so far, chances are that you're on the verge of being hopeful — if not excited.

Kubiak always had been a pleasure to cover during his nine years as backup quarterback to John Elway, providing sharp perspectives that made it clear he was destined for bigger things.

We're left only with a jumble of questions.

Denver should have been hoping for Pittsburgh to beat Baltimore.

As the late Col. John Clune, long-time Air Force athletic director, liked to say, "There's no such thing as a bad beer or a bad bowl."

We could dissect the AFA vs CSU game more, but that's been done. What the situation needs is historical perspective.

Every November, as another college football season nears its conclusion, one of the rituals is recognizing the year's best turnaround stories.

Air Force's defense, showing a swagger and a mean, aggressive edge, reminded me of two years in particular from the program's proud past.

Rest assured, losing the Rockies will not cause the Sky Sox owners to take another look at a new stadium.

For those unsure of what conclusions to draw from the Denver Broncos' preseason, here's a quick synopsis.

You might assume the state's major-college football programs are looking at another sad season in 2014. But the news is not all that bleak.

How long will it take to regain respectability?

When the news came a few weeks ago of Van Dyken's freak accident in Arizona, anyone who knew the American swimming hero had to share the sadness.

Don't ever slide into first base to beat a throw, and try never to slide head-first anywhere.

Even if the Rockies can't stay relevant, other story lines will carry the day in Colorado.

Tiny Union College made a remarkable run to the NCAA hockey championship.

Colorado Springs hockey fans still have reason to pay attention — but this time, thanks only to Air Force.

When the answers come, they won't be secrets. And they might help lead to better outcomes for other sports in 2018.

For now, the dreams are unbeaten. The doubts can wait.

American women athletes who have a chance to seize the stage.

For a combination of reasons, it's hard to envision Team USA faring as well as four years ago.

Who will win?

The best Denver can hope for is temperatures in the 30s, not much wind and no precipitation.

Denver's late stumbles against San Diego will take care of any overconfidence.

The chaos of coaching turnover has rendered many bowls useless.

Winning games won't cure the problems that San Diego magnified.

Watching the AFA program's implosion this season has been both painful and exasperating.

We don't have to wait around and hold our collective breath every year, staking our hopes on when the Pro Challenge will bless us with another day in the sun.

The less ego we see, the better.

It's just not realistic to call Denver a Super Bowl favorite anymore.