Baltimore acquired kicker-defensive end Lou Michaels and…
Baltimore acquired kicker-defensive end Lou Michaels and Pittsburgh's 1965 third-round pick for linebacker Bill Saul and defensive back Marv Woodson. Player transaction records place the completed trade on September 8, 1964, after Michaels missed Pittsburgh's final preseason game. Michaels became Baltimore's kicker for six seasons and the draft choice became Glenn Ressler, while Saul developed into a useful Steelers starter. The Colts received the stronger combined return.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Lou Michaels
- pick 1965 third round pick (#36-Glenn Ressler)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Bill Saul
- player Marv Woodson
Trade Analysis
What Happened in September 1964
The completed trade belongs on September 8, 1964. Pittsburgh had suspended Lou Michaels after a training-camp altercation; he was reinstated but missed the Steelers' September 6 preseason finale against Baltimore. The Steelers then sent Michaels and a 1965 third-round choice to the Colts for linebacker Bill Saul and defensive back Marv Woodson. Player transaction records for Michaels and Saul both place the move on September 8, resolving the older date discrepancy.
Why Baltimore Benefited Immediately
Michaels became the Colts' primary kicker at once. He scored 104 points in 1964 for a Baltimore team that finished 12-2 and reached the NFL Championship Game. He remained with the Colts through 1969, serving as a kicker and, at times, a defensive end. Baltimore also used the third-round choice on Glenn Ressler, who developed into a long-term offensive lineman. That gave the Colts both immediate special-teams production and a second useful asset.
Why Pittsburgh Still Gets Credit
Saul was not a miss. He appeared in 13 games with 10 starts for Pittsburgh in 1964, later returned from injury, and became a starting middle linebacker. Woodson also had NFL value, though his Pittsburgh tenure was shorter. That keeps the Steelers above a poor grade. The issue is comparative: Pittsburgh moved a productive veteran plus a pick and received one meaningful long-term contributor, while Baltimore extracted value from both sides of its return.
Final Verdict
Baltimore wins, A- to B-. Michaels gave the Colts six seasons of kicking production and helped a 1964 contender immediately, while Ressler added long-term line value. Pittsburgh deserves a B- because Saul became a legitimate starter, but the overall return was thinner. Correcting the transaction date to September 8 also aligns the record with the documented sequence of Michaels' suspension, preseason absence, and move to Baltimore.