Los Angeles acquired veteran cornerback Irv Cross from…
Los Angeles acquired veteran cornerback Irv Cross from Philadelphia for defensive back Aaron Martin and running back Willie Brown. Cross started every game for the Rams across three seasons and became a dependable piece of a rising defense. Martin supplied Philadelphia with some useful secondary snaps, while Brown made only a limited impact. The Rams received the best individual player and the more sustained value, giving Los Angeles the edge.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Irv Cross
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Aaron Martin
- player Willie Brown
Trade Analysis
What Philadelphia Gave Up
Irv Cross had already been a durable Philadelphia starter when the Eagles moved him to Los Angeles on June 8, 1966. The Rams were assembling the supporting pieces around a fearsome defensive front, and Cross gave them an experienced corner who could step into the lineup immediately. He did exactly that, starting all 14 games in each of his three Rams seasons from 1966 through 1968. His presence also added return-game value and secondary stability during George Allen's rapid turnaround.
What the Eagles Received
Philadelphia got two players, Aaron Martin and Willie Brown, which made the deal look balanced by quantity. Martin was the useful portion of the package: he appeared in all 14 games in 1966 and started five, then continued to provide depth. Brown had a much smaller footprint with the Eagles. Neither player became a centerpiece comparable to the starter Los Angeles acquired, and the combined return never matched Cross's consistency.
Why the Rams Come Out Ahead
The Rams needed reliable defensive backs behind Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen and the rest of their front, and Cross delivered three uninterrupted seasons as a starting corner. Los Angeles improved from 4-10 in 1965 to 8-6 in 1966 and then 11-1-2 in 1967, with Cross embedded in the defense throughout that ascent. The Eagles received legitimate roster value, so this is not an overwhelming win, but the best and most dependable player in the exchange clearly wore Rams colors afterward.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles earns a B+ and the win because Cross gave the Rams three full seasons of starting-caliber play at an important position. Philadelphia gets a C+ because Martin was useful and the return was not barren, but the Eagles traded away a proven starter without receiving an equivalent long-term difference-maker. The outcome favors the Rams on both quality and sustained contribution.