Los Angeles acquired Lou Cordileone from San Francisco in…
Los Angeles acquired Lou Cordileone from San Francisco in April 1962, but his Rams stay produced only two regular-season games and no starts before he moved to Pittsburgh. The 49ers received Elbert Kimbrough, who became a five-season secondary regular in San Francisco, starting 64 games from 1962 through 1966 and intercepting eight passes. The realized value separated quickly and stayed heavily in San Francisco's favor.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Lou Cordileone
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Elbert Kimbrough
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On April 26, 1962, the Rams acquired defensive tackle Lou Cordileone from the 49ers for defensive back Elbert Kimbrough. Both players were early in their careers, but their paths after the transaction diverged sharply.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Los Angeles received almost no sustained value from Cordileone. Pro Football Reference credits him with only two games and no starts for the Rams in 1962. He finished that season with Pittsburgh and then became a regular there. Those later Steelers seasons do not belong in the Rams' return. For Los Angeles, the acquired player was essentially a two-game stop, which warrants a D.
San Francisco 49ers Return
Kimbrough became a long-term member of San Francisco's secondary. Pro Football Archives credits him with 14 games in each season from 1962 through 1966 and starts of 9, 13, 14, 14 and 14, respectively: 70 games and 64 starts. He recorded eight interceptions over his final four 49ers seasons. That is the kind of multi-year starting value a player-for-player trade hopes to create, and it supports a B+.
Value in Hindsight
The comparison does not require speculation about positional importance or name recognition. San Francisco acquired five seasons of regular defensive-back work. Los Angeles got two games before Cordileone continued his career elsewhere. Even if Kimbrough was not a league-wide star, the volume and durability of his 49ers service dwarf the Rams' realized return.
Final Verdict
San Francisco 49ers Win. The 49ers earn B+ for Kimbrough's 70 games, 64 starts and eight interceptions during a five-season run. The Rams earn D for two Cordileone appearances without a start. The verdict is based strictly on the production each player delivered to the team that acquired him in this trade.