Buffalo Bills received Allen Aldridge in the 1973-02-14…
Buffalo Bills received Allen Aldridge in the 1973-02-14 exchange with Houston Oilers, giving up Paul Guidry. Buffalo acquired linebacker Allen Aldridge in the veteran-for-veteran exchange. That return supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills. The final verdict is Even Trade, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.
Buffalo Bills Received
- player Allen Aldridge
Tennessee Titans Received
- player Paul Guidry
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1973-02-14, Buffalo Bills and Houston Oilers completed a deal in which Buffalo Bills received Allen Aldridge, while Houston Oilers received Paul Guidry. Multiple historical records agree on the player movement, counterparties, and material consideration. That makes the useful hindsight question straightforward: what football value did each club actually receive from the assets attached to this exchange?
Buffalo Bills Return
Buffalo acquired linebacker Allen Aldridge in the veteran-for-veteran exchange. The return is best judged at the scale of the transaction itself. For Buffalo Bills, the important point is whether the incoming asset produced usable service or preserved meaningful draft value. Nothing in the documented outcome justifies stretching the grade beyond what the actual return supports, so C is an appropriate mark.
Houston Oilers Return
Houston acquired Paul Guidry, who played all 14 games for the Oilers in 1973. That result defines the other side of the comparison. For Houston Oilers, the grade should reflect the contribution or draft value that followed from this specific deal, without crediting unrelated roster moves or later transactions. On that basis, C fits the value Houston Oilers ultimately realized.
Value in Hindsight
Guidry's full-season availability gave Houston useful service, but the swap remained modest enough that neither side established a decisive advantage. Because this was not a franchise-changing exchange, the grade spread should remain proportional to the evidence. Late-round picks, short veteran stints, failed physicals, and nominal cash returns can still matter, but they should not be treated like premium assets. The comparison therefore emphasizes actual service, identifiable draft outcomes, and the direct consequences of the deal.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Buffalo Bills receives C, while Houston Oilers receives C. That verdict matches the documented outcome and keeps the judgment tied to the exchange itself. Where the realized returns were close, the grades stay close; where one side obtained clearly more useful football value, the grade separation reflects that advantage without overstating a relatively small transaction.