Peyton Manning, among the many good things he has done, once handed down gentle coaching tips for quarterbacks.

The info was probably delivered in conjunction with a summer Manning family camp for 1,500 or so budding stars who wanted to be like Peyton.

I saved it, guarded it, just in case a young Tennessee quarterback asked me for advice. Stop snickering.

Football philosophy gets old, you say, this is probably long past the expiration date. Peyton, 49, was one of the original wise men to play. The game has changed. Quarterback position is so different.

Hmmm, just in case smart is still smart, I’ve dusted off the thoughts. I think they are alive. Wouldn’t it be something if just one helped George MacIntyre or Faizon Brandon or even the semi-veteran Ryan Staub.

Peyton said preparation is a tremendous competitive advantage. Film study, what to do and how to do it, became a weapon when he was at Tennessee. He said counting the hours involved misses the point, that if you love something, you invest heavily in that project.

Peyton said leadership is earned, never given. Quarterbacks have to meet adversity, look it in the eye, and fight through.

Peyton said be patient. Clarify things that matter, master your craft and be disciplined. Opportunities will come.

There is a stack of other QB stuff in my humble collection, some undoubtedly from others, some simple points, some obvious, some possibly older than second-hand.

Young quarterbacks should want to be coached. There is a football theory about 10,000 repetitions. Try to exceed that.

Don’t just do what you are told. Understand why.

College passing is more than exciting bombs away. Master all the throws, digs at 10 yards, comebacks at 12, outs at 15. You can’t get by on dumps, swing passes, screens and slants. Develop arm strength.

Arm strength is indeed important but accuracy is worth more.

Learn first to throw well from the pocket, on time without taking too many hits. Learn it all, eyes down the field, throws under pressure, throws on the run.

Don’t be afraid to work on weaknesses. It’s permissible to look bad in practice – now and then.

There is an old saying in football, you either get better or worse every day. It’s really hard to stay the same.

There are several basics. Whoever reads the pass-run option best usually starts. Fundamentals? First is take care of the football. Don’t lose the game before you have a chance to win it.

Intangibles, oh my, that list goes on and on, competitiveness, toughness, leadership, resiliency, moxie, grit.

You got to have short-term memory as a quarterback. Whether you threw a touchdown pass or an interception or lost a fumble when mugged, you must be ready to play the next play whenever it comes.

The ability to do that, to keep wiping the slate clean, gives you a chance to be elite.

Always have a plan, well, Plan A and a spare. Expect the two or three things that might happen on any given play. Know where to go with the ball for the first two, for sure.

If those break down, or are questionable, not an ideal look, have some idea what to do next.

Ability and good coaching are helpful. Results matter.

Think of the difference in a thermometer and a thermostat. A thermometer reads the temperature and reports. The thermostat sets the temp. Good quarterbacks are thermostats.

Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com