Detroit acquired Jim O'Brien from Baltimore for the 1974…
Detroit acquired Jim O'Brien from Baltimore for the 1974 fourth-round choice that became No. 84 Tony Bell. O'Brien handled the Lions' kicking duties in 1973, appearing in ten games and scoring 38 points. Bell never produced a regular-season NFL return for the Colts, so Detroit received the only meaningful documented football value from the transaction.
Detroit Lions Received
- player Jim O'Brien (b)
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1974 fourth round pick (#84-Tony Bell)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1973-07-26, Detroit Lions received Jim O'Brien (b), while Baltimore Colts received 1974 fourth round pick (#84-Tony Bell). The exchange is judged by the football value each club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the transaction. Later movement of a draft choice is considered only when the cited record connects that movement to the original return.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit acquired Jim O'Brien from Baltimore for the 1974 fourth-round choice that became No. 84 Tony Bell. O'Brien handled the Lions' kicking duties in 1973, appearing in ten games and scoring 38 points. Bell never produced a regular-season NFL return for the Colts, so Detroit received the only meaningful documented football value from the transaction.
Baltimore Colts Return
Baltimore sent Jim O'Brien to Detroit and received the 1974 fourth-round choice that became No. 84 Tony Bell. Bell did not produce a regular-season NFL return for the Colts, while O'Brien immediately handled Detroit's kicking duties, appeared in ten games, and scored 38 points in 1973. Baltimore therefore received little realized value compared with Detroit's usable return.
Value in Hindsight
O'Brien gave Detroit immediate, measurable production as its kicker, appearing in ten games and scoring 38 points in 1973. Baltimore's fourth-round return became Tony Bell, who did not provide an NFL regular-season payoff. The original stakes were modest, so Detroit's advantage should not be inflated into a franchise-changing result. Still, one side received usable points and game appearances while the other received no comparable on-field production from the acquired selection. That difference supports a clear Lions win in hindsight.
Final Verdict
The final call is Detroit Lions Win. Detroit Lions earns B-, and Baltimore Colts earns D+. Those grades reflect the supported package, the documented post-trade production, and the relative football value each side ultimately realized from this exchange.