Peyton Manning is throwing to freshly signed slot receiver Wes Welker for the first time as Denver Broncos teammates.
To hear Manning tell it, the two already are working on a tight connection.
"There's certain guys you just feel like you have timing with right away," Manning told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Wednesday at Duke University, where the quarterback is working out. "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."
Broncos wide receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas joined Manning and Welker at Duke. Manning's brother, Eli, also was there with New York Giants teammates Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Louis Murphy.
Although Welker boasts an NFL-record five seasons with at least 100 receptions, critics have charged that he's a product of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots' system. Those skeptics shouldn't expect a sharp decline in production under Manning, whose best seasons came with Brandon Stokley and Austin Collie excelling in the slot.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
