Dallas sent Craig Baynham and Phil Clark to Chicago during…
Dallas sent Craig Baynham and Phil Clark to Chicago during the 1970 draft for the Bears’ second-round pick, No. 27, used on tackle Bob Asher. Clark started at strong safety for Chicago in 1970, while Baynham added depth. Asher played only six games for Dallas, missed 1971 after knee surgery and was traded to Chicago in 1972. The realized value therefore favors the Bears, not Dallas.
Chicago Bears Received
- player Craig Baynham
- player Phil Clark
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1970 second round pick (#27-Bob Asher)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
During the 1970 draft, Dallas sent running back Craig Baynham and defensive back Phil Clark to Chicago for the Bears’ second-round selection, No. 27 overall. The Cowboys used it on Vanderbilt tackle Bob Asher. Dallas media materials and draft-transaction histories agree on the package.
Why Dallas Liked the Pick
The Cowboys viewed Asher as a developmental tackle with high physical upside. The plan never matured in Dallas. A knee injury limited him to six games as a rookie, and surgery cost him the entire 1971 season. In 1972, Dallas included Asher in another transaction with Chicago for quarterback Jack Concannon. His later productive seasons therefore came as a Bear, not as value retained by the Cowboys from this trade.
What Chicago Received
Clark moved to strong safety and became a starter for Chicago in 1970. He was released the following year, so his Bears tenure was not long, but he supplied a full season of starting defensive-back value. Baynham’s contribution was smaller, yet Chicago received two playable veterans without waiting for a draft pick to develop.
How the Hindsight Standard Applies
The original Dallas grade overstated the significance of selecting Asher. Draft position alone is not the outcome. The Cowboys received only six games before injury and eventually sent Asher back to the same opponent in a separate deal. Chicago, by contrast, received immediate starting value from Clark and later ended up with Asher as well.
Final Verdict
Chicago wins the 1970 exchange on realized value. The victory is moderate because Clark was not a long-term Bear and Baynham added limited production. Still, Dallas never captured the expected benefit of the No. 27 pick. A B- for Chicago and D+ for Dallas better reflects what each side actually obtained.