Every year, Peyton Manning and a handful of his teammates begin laying the groundwork for the upcoming season by working out together at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

This year's workout sessions have begun, with receivers Emmanuel Sanders, Andre Caldwell and Cody Latimer in attendance, along with tight ends Owen Daniels and Virgil Green — and defensive lineman (and former Duke standout) Kenny Anunike.

The workouts have served as an invaluable foundation for strengthening connection.

Emmanuel Sanders attended the workouts last year as he prepared for his first year with the Broncos, which eventually helped him make his first Pro Bowl.

"I'm really impressed with his work ethic," Manning said of Sanders back in October. "I saw that for the first time when we went out to Duke back in April and he has maintained that work ethic since he's been here and it's paying off for him."

Sanders echoed those sentiments in October last year, as well: "You've got to have chemistry and I think that Peyton is extremely huge on chemistry. That's the reason that he invites us out to Duke [University in the offseason]. He invited me out to Duke to gain that chemistry and that's the reason why we threw every single day at practice and why we still communicate on a daily basis, not just in the locker room but through text messages and things of that sort, giving people praise, trying to better guys."

Caldwell said in September that he felt like being at Duke helped him get a "kick start" on preparing for training camp and the season.

This is Latimer's first trip to Duke for the workouts (he was drafted last year after the workouts).

"...It should be fun," Latimer said. "I know we're going to be working, studying, probably watching film and running routes. I don't know much about it but I'm guessing, assuming that's what we're going to do so I'm looking very forward to it with him."