**

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. —** Chris Harris Jr.'s 2014 season was one of the most stunning and impressive parts of the Broncos' year, earning him a number of accolades and rewards from a career-first Pro Bowl selection to a long-term contract extension.

On Monday, Harris was in Baltimore to receive another award for his incredible season and effort as the Broncos' recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, along with plenty of other NFL stars who won their respective teams' selections.

"It means a lot, because it's voted by your peers," Harris said over the phone on Tuesday. "That's your teammates, coaches and everybody in the organization. They've seen me work and seen all the work it took for me to come back and play at the level I did. It just means a lot and I'm so thankful that I had great teammates around me. Dr. [James] Andrews did a great job on me on the surgery, and all the Broncos' trainers, they worked so hard with me and they put in the time with me and I'm so thankful for them doing that."

His season was bookended with a Pro Bowl selection, another testament to his excellence being recognized by his peers in the league from players or coaches he might have faced.

"Just to be here and to be selected by my peers, it just means a lot," Harris said back in January. "It means they notice what I'm doing out there on the field. The way I got into the Pro Bowl is so different because I didn't have any fan votes. I got through by the coaches and the players, so that made it even more special."

Since we last spoke with Harris at the Pro Bowl, the Broncos completed their coaching staff, which included the hiring of Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips, who has said he wants to unleash the Broncos' defense as a more aggressive force.

"I'm excited. I know what having more heat on the quarterback means there's going to be more balls in the air, which are chances to get picks, so I'm definitely excited about that," Harris said.

Without a major recovery to tackle in his offseason like a year ago, Harris has an easier road to prepare for another NFL season with the Broncos, and he's excited to build even further upon last season.

"The offseason's going great. I'm feeling in good shape, I'm feeling—as far as my knee—fully healed and I'm just down here in Dallas. I train down here every year so I'm sticking with my family and try to come back even better.

Now back in Dallas and preparing for the coming season, he's enjoying his time, especially when it comes to the time he can spend around his wife Leah Harris and their daughter Aria, who's about five months old.

"It's crazy how fast she's growing up. She's smiling, a very happy baby," he said. "She kind of has been bringing out my personality, as much as she's smiling."