Baltimore sent running back Tony Lorick to New Orleans for…
Baltimore sent running back Tony Lorick to New Orleans for the Saints' 1969 second-round pick. The choice became Ted Hendricks at No. 33, a future Hall of Fame linebacker who played 215 consecutive games, reached eight Pro Bowls and helped the Colts win Super Bowl V. Lorick's Saints career lasted two seasons and produced only limited offensive value, creating a massive imbalance.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1969 second round pick (#33-Ted Hendricks)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Tony Lorick
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Baltimore moved veteran fullback Tony Lorick to New Orleans in September 1968 for the Saints' second-round pick in the 1969 draft. The pick landed at No. 33, where the Colts selected Miami linebacker Ted Hendricks. Contemporary Colts material and Saints draft records both connect that choice directly to the Lorick trade.
Why Ted Hendricks Overwhelmed the Return
Hendricks became one of the most durable and disruptive linebackers in league history. He played 215 consecutive games, made eight Pro Bowls, earned four first-team All-Pro selections and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. His first five seasons came with Baltimore, including a role on the Super Bowl V championship team. The Colts received elite long-term value from a single second-round selection.
How Lorick's Saints Tenure Compared
Lorick had been a useful blocking fullback in Baltimore, but injuries and declining usage followed him to New Orleans. He rushed for 343 yards in 1968 and only 11 yards in 1969 before his career ended. The Saints therefore paid a premium pick for two seasons of limited production at a position where veteran value generally depreciates quickly.
Final Verdict
The timing magnifies the mistake because Baltimore converted the pick into a defender who contributed almost immediately. Baltimore wins overwhelmingly. The Colts turned an aging back into a Hall of Fame linebacker whose career lasted fifteen seasons. New Orleans received a short bridge at fullback and forfeited the asset that became Hendricks. The scale of that conversion supports an A+ for the Colts and F for the Saints.