Conner Vernon worked with the Mannings all week. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

DURHAM—Peyton and Eli Manning stopped by Duke this week for what amounted to a three-day minicamp hosted by Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe. You can read all about that here.

In addition to the professional wide receivers running around (which included the likes of Wes Welker, Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Eric Decker and a few others), former Duke wide receiver Conner Vernon worked extensively with the Mannings as well. It's not the first time Vernon has worked with the Mannings—two years ago, he caught passes for Eli, and last year he worked a bit with Peyton during his rehab.

Peyton said he thought Vernon, who is projected as a late-round pick, would be a valuable addition to any NFL roster. Eli had similar praise for his abilities.

Before David Cutcliffe led Duke to its first bowl since 1994, he helped Peyton Manning regain his all-pro form. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

Last winter, Peyton Manning caught the media off guard when he started working out in Durham with David Cutcliffe, his college quarterbacks coach. Manning, still with the Colts at the time, had missed the entire 2011 season after having neck surgery, and his future playing football was in doubt. He made several trips to Duke, and, under Cutcliffe's tutelage, began to return to his old form. He successfully made the transition back under center for the Denver Broncos, who host the Baltimore Ravens in an NFL playoff game Saturday.

Before Manning takes the field, the NFL Network will show a documentary focusing on his rehab work with Cutcliffe at noon. Click here to see a preview, and set your DVRs.

Update: Here's a link to the full feature.

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Before David Cutcliffe resurrected Duke, he helped resurrect the career of Peyton Manning. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

DURHAM—In between his coaching duties to the only team that controls its own destiny in the ACC Coastal Division, Duke head coach David Cutcliffe keeps in touch with his former players and friends. Monday night, he spent 50 minutes on the phone with perhaps his most famous former tutee: Peyton Manning.

Manning was back in North Carolina for a game against the Panthers Sunday, and it was the first time he had come back to the state after spending the winter rehabbing  with Cutcliffe at Duke. Manning picked apart the Panthers defense, going 27-of-38 for 301 yards and a touchdown in the Denver Broncos’ 36-14 win.

Cutcliffe, who was Manning’s quarterback coach at Tennessee, said Manning was emotional about his return to the Tar Heel State, and the two reminisced about reuniting last winter.

I know my admiration for Peyton Manning has probably been a bit much for the non-Peyton fans out there to take during the NFL playoffs. Well, here's a great mock up of the great one courtesy of the Huffington Post. Thanks to Herald/Record sports correspondent Michael Held for the heads up on this one.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-weingartner/how-is-peyton-prepping-fo_b_443758.html

Former Broughton golfer Webb Simpson is paired with Indianapolis Colts
quarterback Peyton Manning in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
golf tournament on the Monterey Peninsula in Calif.