Pittsburgh Steelers received 1978 tenth round pick (#276-Tom…
Pittsburgh Steelers received 1978 tenth round pick (#276-Tom Jurich) and 1978 eleventh round pick (#279-Nat Terry) from Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1978-05-03 exchange. Tampa Bay released Ernie Holmes before the 1978 regular season, while Nat Terry appeared in six Steelers games and returned punts; Tom Jurich never played for Pittsburgh. Measured by what Pittsburgh Steelers actually realized after the deal, the return supports a C+ grade and represents the stronger realized return. The overall judgment is Pittsburgh Steelers Win.
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1978 tenth round pick (#276-Tom Jurich)
- pick 1978 eleventh round pick (#279-Nat Terry)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Ernie Holmes (Fat Holmes)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1978-05-03, Pittsburgh Steelers received 1978 tenth round pick (#276-Tom Jurich) and 1978 eleventh round pick (#279-Nat Terry), while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received Ernie Holmes (Fat Holmes). The deal is judged by the value each club actually realized after the exchange. Tampa Bay released Ernie Holmes before the 1978 regular season, while Nat Terry appeared in six Steelers games and returned punts; Tom Jurich never played for Pittsburgh. That outcome gives enough evidence to compare the sides without inflating the importance of a relatively small transaction.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
For Pittsburgh Steelers, the return was 1978 tenth round pick (#276-Tom Jurich) and 1978 eleventh round pick (#279-Nat Terry). The relevant question is what that asset contributed to Pittsburgh Steelers, not what it might have become elsewhere. The documented results support a C+ grade and identify this as the stronger realized return. That assessment stays tied to direct team benefit rather than reputation, draft slot, or hypothetical upside.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return
For Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the return was Ernie Holmes (Fat Holmes). The same standard applies: games played, starts, production, or the eventual use of an acquired pick when that outcome can be identified. The evidence supports a D grade and makes this the weaker realized return. That comparison is more useful than judging the transaction by the names or asset labels alone.
Value in Hindsight
Hindsight clarifies what each club truly received. A player who later succeeded elsewhere does not create value for a team that no longer controlled him, and a draft choice matters according to what the acquiring club actually obtained. Here, the post-trade results provide a clear enough record to keep the grades proportional to the deal's real impact.
Final Verdict
The final call is Pittsburgh Steelers Win. Pittsburgh Steelers receives a C+, while Tampa Bay Buccaneers receives a D. Those marks reflect the supported package and the direct football value each side captured. The verdict does not depend on hypothetical development; it follows the outcomes that can be tied to this exchange.