Baltimore acquired veteran center Forrest Blue plus the…
Baltimore acquired veteran center Forrest Blue plus the return of its 1976 15th- and 16th-round choices. Contemporary team records describe San Francisco's compensation as a 1978 third-round pick, later used on Ernie Hughes; a later Colts listing also mentions a 1977 second, but its conditional status is unresolved. Blue gave Baltimore veteran line help, while Hughes became a useful 49ers starter. The returns were comparable.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Forrest Blue
- pick 1976 15th round pick (#424-Gary Alexander)
- pick 1976 16th round pick (#449-Mike Fuhrman)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 1978 third round pick (#79-Ernie Hughes)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Baltimore acquired veteran center Forrest Blue and received back its 1976 15th- and 16th-round selections. Contemporary 49ers and Colts publications describe San Francisco's return as a 1978 third-round pick, which became Ernie Hughes. Later transaction histories also mention a 1977 second-rounder, but its conditional status is unresolved.
Why the Contemporary Package Gets Priority
The team publications closest to the transaction agree on the 1978 third-round compensation. They also identify the returned 15th-round choice as the selection Baltimore used on Gary Alexander and the 16th-rounder as the pick used on Mike Fuhrman. That is the strongest supported package for the public record.
What Each Team Received on the Field
Blue arrived with an outstanding résumé from his 49ers peak and gave Baltimore veteran experience at center. San Francisco used the 1978 third-rounder on Hughes, who played 45 NFL games and started 29. Neither side turned the exchange into a singular franchise-changing asset.
Why the Old Grade Was Too Strong
Calling this a clear 49ers win depended partly on treating the uncertain 1977 second-round choice as settled compensation. Once the contemporary version is given greater weight, the value gap narrows considerably: Baltimore received a proven veteran and returned picks, while San Francisco received a useful future starter.
Final Verdict
This is an even trade, with both teams receiving a B. Baltimore got veteran line value from Blue and recovered two late selections; San Francisco got a third-round pick that became a multi-year starter. The unresolved conditional-pick report should remain historical context rather than driving the grade.