Peyton Manning's slide earns him grief from his Broncos teammates

Peyton Manning's attempt at a slide last Sunday might have caused fans to gasp in fear of injury -- but in the Broncos' locker room, it was fodder for jokes.

Peyton Manning fares better when he throws than when he tries to slide. (US Presswire)

So unwieldy was Broncos QB Peyton Manning's slide Sunday in Denver's win over the Panthers that even a seldom-used rookie cornerback had to needle the 15-year veteran for his ungainly, feet-first stop after a six-yard gain.

But that rookie, CB Omar Bolden, was far from the only one to bust Manning's chops over the play.

"All of them," Manning said. "It's not even worth explaining what happened. It looked bad, and the fact that my knee brace got caught, nobody wants to hear that. It it what it is, as they say, and it's right there on film."

Broncos fans on hand at Bank of America Stadium -- and some Panthers fans in the crowd -- gasped at the sight of Manning's leg bending awkwardly, followed by the sight of the quarterback reaching for his leg.

"I was concerned at first," TE Jacob Tamme said.

But the reach was only to adjust his brace.

If Manning ever wants instruction on how to properly slide, he needs only to turn to his longtime friend and former University of Tennessee teammate, Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton.

Of course, Helton might join the chorus.

"I'm very aware that it's fair game for criticism and ridicule," Manning said. "I have plenty thick enough skin to handle it."

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