Panthers were *this* close to drafting Marvin Harrison.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Little article I picked up scouting out the Ponies this week. Polian screwed us.

Marvin Harrison conducted the single greatest workout of any wide receiver he's ever seen prior to the 1996 NFL Draft. Bill said that he and personnel executive Dom Anile were blown away by the workout, that Harrison was a once-in-a-decade player, and that they wished they had had the opportunity to draft Harrison when both worked for the Panthers in 1996.

Bill failed to mention that he did have a chance to take Harrison, but instead took runningback Tim Biakabutuka with the 8th overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft.

The Colts, and then-vice president Bill Tobin, took Harrison 19th overall. So, despite having 'the single best workout of a WR than any other WR he's ever seen,' Polian passed on Harrison and took a mediocre runningback. SI's Will Carroll was following along with our live tweet tonight, and posted these zingers on Twitter:

So if "best ever" WR (per Polian) is Marvin Harrison and he went mid-1st in draft, what case can be made for drafting anyone higher?

And by passing on him, they filled the need in the next draft with … Rae Carruth!

Again, it's for moments like these that we follow and recap the show.

Here is the recap:

Bob Lamey started out the show by discussing Marvin Harrison and how he will be inducted into the Colts 'Ring of Honor' this weekend. Bill Polian said that, back in 1996 when he was general manager of the Panthers, Harrison had single best workout of a WR than any other WR he's ever seen.

Polian said the Panthers worked Harrison out the year after Carolina went to the AFC Championship Game. Thus, they didn't have a chance to draft Harrison. Polian said he wished he'd had a chance to take Harrison.

(Reality: Not true. Harrison was drafted in 1996. Panthers had the No. 8 pick in the draft that year, and passed on Harrison. Colts took Harrison 19th overall in '96.)

http://www.stampedeb...-2011#storyjump

In short, Polian thought Harrison had the greatest workout of any receiver he ever saw, but took Timmy Biakabuttakauakakauaka instead.

:banghead: Why do we always do this?:banghead:

Just once I'd like to look back and find out we took the right player..To see that almost took a crappy player, but took a good on instead. (Timmy B could have been a good RB had he stayed healthy, but Marvin Harrison good?)

:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

[rayzor]

we could have had steve mcnair as our first franchise QB.

really screwed the pooch there.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Yeah, knew that.

Ah well. What can you do. All a day at the races.

[The Saltman]

Hey we got Steve Smith in the 3rd round.

[bab270]

Just come back to this thread in 10 years when you realize we drafted the GOAT in 2011.

amidoinitrite?

[Jangler]

cool

[panthers55]

We will look back on it and be thankful we took Cam Newton- the right choice in 2011.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Just come back to this thread in 10 years when you realize we drafted the GOAT in 2011.

amidoinitrite?

I don't know, Hogan hasn't even played a down yet, I'd say it's premature to give him that kind of label.

[Jangler]

So, since we are talking about history, does this officially mean the 2011 season is over?

[Cat'sGrowl]

So, since we are talking about history, does this officially mean the 2011 season is over?

Looks like she's warming up.

[bab270]

I don't know, Hogan hasn't even played a down yet, I'd say it's premature to give him that kind of label.

I was obviously talking about Pilares...did you not see his kick return???

[CardiacCats]

Pretty sure Eddie George was taken a few picks later too, so we could of had him or Harrison but took Timmy instead.

[CardiacCats]

Just come back to this thread in 10 years when you realize we drafted the GOAT in 2011.

amidoinitrite?

yeah

[The Saltman]

So, since we are talking about history, does this officially mean the 2011 season is over?

We aren't in the NFC West so yeah.