Arizona Cardinals received Gerry Cowhig; Bob Shaw; Tom Keane…
Arizona Cardinals received Gerry Cowhig; Bob Shaw; Tom Keane in the 1950-06-02 exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Bob Shaw became a useful Cardinals player and the three-player return had real depth, but it did not quite equal the peak value Los Angeles received. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Arizona Cardinals surrendered, the result supports Los Angeles Rams Win and a B- grade for Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Gerry Cowhig
- player Bob Shaw
- player Tom Keane
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Bob Reinhard
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1950-06-02, Arizona Cardinals received Gerry Cowhig; Bob Shaw; Tom Keane, while Los Angeles Rams received Bob Reinhard. The comparison is limited to the consideration each club controlled directly after the transaction. Later moves involving an acquired pick or player are separate transactions, so they are used only to explain provenance when useful and are not counted as additional compensation here.
Arizona Cardinals Return
Bob Shaw became a useful Cardinals player and the three-player return had real depth, but it did not quite equal the peak value Los Angeles received. The practical question is how much useful football value the incoming side actually created through starts, playing time, production, roster longevity, or retained draft capital. That return is weighed against what Arizona Cardinals gave up, with the size of the transaction kept in proportion.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Bob Reinhard gave the Rams immediate high-end defensive value in 1950, strengthening a championship-caliber roster at the point of greatest need. The same standard applies to Los Angeles Rams. A larger number of pieces does not automatically mean a better trade; quality and durability matter more than raw asset count. That keeps the comparison centered on realized football value rather than the appearance of the package on the day of the exchange.
Value in Hindsight
Los Angeles acquired Bob Reinhard, an elite-caliber 1950 defensive tackle who made an immediate impact on a championship contender. The Cardinals received Gerry Cowhig, Bob Shaw and Tom Keane; Shaw became useful, but the combined return did not quite match Reinhard's peak 1950 value. The Rams get a modest edge. The exchange is documented well enough to support a firm hindsight judgment. The grades reflect the difference between what each side received and what those assets actually became for the clubs, while avoiding credit for unrelated transactions that happened later. Short-term usefulness matters, but sustained starting value, premium production, or durable draft value carries more weight.
Final Verdict
Arizona Cardinals receives a B- and Los Angeles Rams receives a B+. The verdict is Los Angeles Rams Win. This result reflects the direct package, the value each team actually realized, and the separation created by those outcomes rather than the nominal size of either side's return.