Peyton Manning is throwing to Wes Welker this week for the first time as teammates, and the quarterback told ESPN Senior NFL Insider Chris Mortensen on Wednesday that he already is making a connection with the star receiver.

Peyton and Eli Manning are working out this week at Duke University with Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe, who was Peyton's offensive coordinator at Tennessee and Eli's coach at Ole Miss. Cutcliffe also worked with Peyton when he was rehabbing last year after his release by the Indianapolis Colts before he signed with the Denver Broncos.

Each quarterback brought three receivers: Peyton Manning has Broncos teammates Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas and Welker; Eli brought Giants teammates Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Louis Murphy.

Peyton Manning has played with Welker in Pro Bowls, but this is the first time he's thrown to the receiver since he left the New England Patriots to sign with Denver this offseason.

"There's certain guys you just feel like you have timing with right away," Manning said. "He's a guy that has a great feel for how to get open, and understands route concepts and, of course, he played in such a sophisticated offense there in New England, so he's a smart player. You can see why he's been such a productive player. He's intense. He loves to work."

Manning said the work ethic of Welker, Thomas and Decker is an inspiration for him.