Arizona Cardinals received cash, while Detroit Lions received…
Arizona Cardinals received cash, while Detroit Lions received Bobby Williams. St. Louis received cash rather than a player who could create comparable on-field value. The Cardinals therefore did not match the impact Williams later delivered in Detroit. In hindsight, that direct return supports a D grade for Arizona Cardinals. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- other cash
Detroit Lions Received
- player Bobby Williams
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1968-09-10, Arizona Cardinals received cash, while Detroit Lions received Bobby Williams. The deal was limited in scale, so the evaluation turns on the direct football value each club actually received. The supported package is treated as the complete exchange, and the grades stay proportional to what this transaction produced.
Arizona Cardinals Return
Arizona Cardinals received cash, while Detroit Lions received Bobby Williams. St. Louis received cash rather than a player who could create comparable on-field value. The Cardinals therefore did not match the impact Williams later delivered in Detroit. In hindsight, that direct return supports a D grade for Arizona Cardinals. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit Lions received Bobby Williams, while Arizona Cardinals received cash. Bobby Williams became an important Detroit defensive back and an elite kickoff returner. His return ability gave the Lions substantial direct football value from a transaction that cost only cash. In hindsight, that direct return supports a B+ grade for Detroit Lions. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.
Value in Hindsight
Detroit's advantage is substantial because Williams became a productive player and high-level return specialist after the acquisition. St. Louis received cash, which offered no comparable direct football production. The difference between an impactful player and a non-player return makes Detroit the clear winner and supports the stronger B+ grade. Because this was a relatively small exchange, the grade gap is kept in proportion to the actual difference in outcomes rather than the size of the names involved.
Final Verdict
The final judgment is Detroit Lions Win. Arizona Cardinals receives D, while Detroit Lions receives B+. The verdict follows the strongest supported comparison of what each side directly obtained. A modest deal can still produce a winner, but the grades remain scaled to the transaction's limited size and realized impact.