### 1996 — Targeted deals paid off immediately
**Players signed: OLB Kevin Greene, CB Eric Davis, TE Wesley Walls, QB Steve Beuerlein, ST Michael Bates.**
**Analysis:** Polian, the Hall of Fame general manager who also built the Bills' near-dynasty, went to work with equal vigor the following year. He also spent his money wisely, targeting impact players at some of the most important positions.
Greene was sensational for the Steelers, but even better in Carolina, leading the league with 14.5 sacks his first year, forming an incredible "Salt and Pepper" tandem with Lathon. Greene would go away for a year but then come back (squabbles with Polian over money were not rare) and had 41.5 sacks in three years with the Panthers. (He also took a turn as a pro wrestler while here. Greene was always good theater.) After finishing with 160.0 career sacks, he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Davis was a double-win, taking a lockdown corner away from their division rival 49ers (the Panthers were in the NFC West their first seven years before realignment) and putting up five interceptions (which he repeated for the next four years).
All [Wesley Walls](/team/players-roster/wesley-walls/) did was explode for 10 touchdowns in his first season and go onto a Hall of Honor career here. Bates, the former Olympic medalist in the 200, would become a five-time All-Pro as a special teamer, and Beuerlein became a stabilizing force, even when Kerry Collins was starting.