RALEIGH, N.C. – The 49ers are in the chase for Peyton Manning. The Dolphins and Cardinals are out. And the Broncos and Titans want to make sure he’s healthy.

Got all that?

After a brief lull, the pursuit of Manning got interesting Friday.

The year’s top free agent, who has been rehabbing in North Carolina after a string of neck surgeries, threw the football at Duke’s athletic facilities for Broncos executive John Elway and Coach John Fox.

The workout lasted a little under two hours, and when it was over Elway seemed convinced that Manning is still Manning.

“We enjoyed visiting with Peyton today in N.C.,” he wrote on his Twitter account. “He threw the ball great and looked very comfortable out there.”

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A few minutes later, Elway posted: “Watching him throw today was the next step in this important process for our team and Peyton. It was a productive visit and went well.”

Whether San Francisco executives and coaches feel the same way, they weren’t saying. But they also have shown interest in the man who led Indianapolis to a Super Bowl victory in 2007. A person familiar with the situation said Manning worked out for 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh on Tuesday night at Duke. ESPN first reported on the session.

Blue Devils Coach David Cutcliffe was Manning’s offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee. The two are friends.

As it became clear the 49ers were in the race, Miami and Arizona dropped out.

Another person said Manning phoned the Miami Dolphins on Thursday to advise them he’ll go elsewhere. The team has turned its attention to free-agent quarterback Matt Flynn.

After he missed the entire 2011 season, Manning’s uncertain health led the Colts to balk at a $28 million roster bonus.

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PATRIOTS: New England re-signed linebacker Tracy White and signed safety Steve Gregory.

White, 30, played with Seattle, Jacksonville, Green Bay and Philadelphia before spending the last two seasons with the Patriots. He was second on the team both years in special-teams tackles.

CARDINALS: Quarterback Kevin Kolb remained on the roster at a 4 p.m. deadline, ensuring him a $7 million roster bonus that the team would not have paid if it had landed Peyton Manning.

Also, the Cardinals agreed on a five-year contract for offensive tackle Levi Brown, who had been released Tuesday by Arizona in a salary-cap move.

REDSKINS: Free-agent cornerback Cedric Griffin signed a one-year deal that could be worth as much as $2.5 million, according to The Washington Post.

BEARS: Chicago agreed to a two-year contract with free-agent safety Craig Steltz.

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RAVENS: Center Matt Birk agreed to a three-year contract.

RAIDERS: Oakland released pass rusher Kamerion Wimbley just one year into a $48 million, five-year deal in the latest cost-cutting move under the new general manager, Reggie McKenzie.

JETS: The team addressed a couple of its major needs in free agency, signing wide receiver Chaz Schilens and backup quarterback Drew Stanton.

FALCONS: Atlanta agreed to terms on a three-year deal with John Abraham, the team’s top pass rusher and a key part of the defense last season.

49ERS: San Francisco signed running back and special teams standout Rock Cartwright to a one-year contract.

PANTHERS: Carolina agreed to terms on a three-year contract with free-agent linebacker Kenny Onatolu.

BROWNS: Cleveland released defensive end Jayme Mitchell.


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