FNR: How Close Were The Carolina Panthers To Drafting Peyton Manning?

[KillerKat]

We also were close to getting McNair but decided to trade down instead.

[CatMan72]

If I am not mistaken, this thread alludes to Andrew Luck.

I think this implies Andrew Luck is pretty much guaranteed to be the Next Peytom Manning, and the Panthers must not repeat the same mistake.

That wasn't my intent, but now that you mention it... imagine how trading that pick away would have changed the fortunes of the Colts?

[Mr. Scot]

We also were close to getting McNair but decided to trade down instead.

My understanding was they were set on Collins, trade down or not. Polian believed he'd found the next Jim Kelly.

Word floated just before their pick that Houston had decided to take Collins instead of McNair. The draft room went abuzz, but it didn't happen. One of the scouts later confirmed that if it had gone down that way, they were prepared to go with the "backup plan" and would have drafted McNair.

How different might our franchise have been...

[rayzor]

My understanding was they were set on Collins, trade down or not. Polian believed he'd found the next Jim Kelly.

Word floated just before their pick that Houston had decided to take Collins instead of McNair. The draft room went abuzz, but it didn't happen. One of the scouts later confirmed that if it had gone down that way, they were prepared to go with the "backup plan" and would have drafted McNair.

How different might our franchise have been...

no kidding. mcnair >>> collins.

[Mr. Scot]

Likewise, imagine what people would say about the Colts had they traded away their shot at Manning? People would still be shaking their heads.

If the Panthers traded away a shot at Luck, and then we had to sit and watch him become the next Peyton somewhere else, all the while imagining that it could have been in a Panther uniform, I think it'd make me ill

[Boltergeist]

That wasn't my intent, but now that you mention it... imagine how trading that pick away would have changed the fortunes of the Colts?

Or had Arizona lost in Week 17 of the 1997 season. A loss there and the Cards would've had the #1 pick and a decision - go for Manning, or hitch their horses to 2nd year QB Jake Plummer. Arizona at 1 in 1998 would've lead to a bonanza of deals.

[Snake]

Richardson tried to get the league to take the #1 pick from the Colts and award it to the Panthers as compensation for GM Bill Polian jumping ship while still under contract.

After reviewing the situation, the league agreed compensation was due and decided to transfer the first pick...in the third round.

We used it to take Chuck Wiley

That was some major bull sh*t. Not only did the Colts screw us then but in 2002 they took our #1 coach pick in Dungy. Maybe we really should hate the colts.

[Mr. Scot]

That was some major bull sh*t. Not only did the Colts screw us then but in 2002 they took our #1 coach pick in Dungy. Maybe we really should hate the colts.

Their winning helps our SoS numbers though

[rayzor]

That was some major bull sh*t. Not only did the Colts screw us then but in 2002 they took our #1 coach pick in Dungy. Maybe we really should hate the colts.

we probably would have had dungy here if we had drafted manning. it seemed like dungy really wanted to coach him.

[PanthersPhan18]

Kasay still would have screwed it up...

boooo!!

[CatMan72]

Likewise, imagine what people would say about the Colts had they traded away their shot at Manning? People would still be shaking their heads.

If the Panthers traded away a shot at Luck, and then we had to sit and watch him become the next Peyton somewhere else, all the while imagining that it could have been in a Panther uniform, I think it'd make me ill

This is my greatest fear.

[rayzor]

Likewise, imagine what people would say about the Colts had they traded away their shot at Manning? People would still be shaking their heads.

If the Panthers traded away a shot at Luck, and then we had to sit and watch him become the next Peyton somewhere else, all the while imagining that it could have been in a Panther uniform, I think it'd make me ill

This is my greatest fear.

mine as well. it's a risk either way, but one way has a much higher ceiling. imo, you go for the one that has the most reward.

[KillerKat]

Plus its not like we can't find players for both the O and D lines through free agency or trades. A franchise QB through FA or trades this year however, not a chance.