New Orleans Saints received Mike Morgan, while Washington…
New Orleans Saints received Mike Morgan, while Washington Commanders received Dennis Hale. Mike Morgan joined New Orleans during the 1969 preseason, but the move did not produce enough durable value to make the Saints a clear winner. In hindsight, that direct return supports a D+ grade for New Orleans Saints. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Mike Morgan
Washington Commanders Received
- player Dennis Hale
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1969-08-21, New Orleans Saints received Mike Morgan, while Washington Commanders received Dennis Hale. 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.
New Orleans Saints Return
New Orleans Saints received Mike Morgan, while Washington Commanders received Dennis Hale. Mike Morgan joined New Orleans during the 1969 preseason, but the move did not produce enough durable value to make the Saints a clear winner. In hindsight, that direct return supports a D+ grade for New Orleans Saints. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.
Washington Return
Washington Commanders received Dennis Hale, while New Orleans Saints received Mike Morgan. Dennis Hale was the rookie safety Washington received in return. His side of the transaction likewise did not develop into a meaningful long-term advantage. In hindsight, that direct return supports a D+ grade for Washington Commanders. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.
Value in Hindsight
The exchange produced little durable separation. New Orleans received Morgan and Washington received Hale, but neither return became significant enough to support a strong winning case. Equal D+ grades reflect a transaction that was historically real and properly documented yet generated very little lasting football value for either club. 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 Even Trade. New Orleans Saints receives D+, while Washington Commanders receives D+. 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.