Los Angeles Rams received Bob Nichols, while Pittsburgh…
Los Angeles Rams received Bob Nichols, while Pittsburgh Steelers received Roger Pillath. Bob Nichols played for Los Angeles after the exchange, giving the Rams the more useful realized return from the deal. In hindsight, that direct return supports a C+ grade for Los Angeles Rams. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Bob Nichols
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Roger Pillath
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1966-08-01, Los Angeles Rams received Bob Nichols, while Pittsburgh Steelers received Roger Pillath. The deal was limited in scale, so the evaluation turns on the direct football value each club actually received. The supported package is treated as the complete exchange, and the grades stay proportional to what this transaction produced.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Los Angeles Rams received Bob Nichols, while Pittsburgh Steelers received Roger Pillath. Bob Nichols played for Los Angeles after the exchange, giving the Rams the more useful realized return from the deal. In hindsight, that direct return supports a C+ grade for Los Angeles Rams. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Pittsburgh Steelers received Roger Pillath, while Los Angeles Rams received Bob Nichols. Roger Pillath appeared in only six games for Pittsburgh. That short tenure sharply limited the value the Steelers obtained from the trade. In hindsight, that direct return supports a D grade for Pittsburgh Steelers. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.
Value in Hindsight
The Rams hold the edge because Nichols supplied more realized service after the transaction, while Pillath's Pittsburgh tenure lasted only six games. Neither return was large enough for an elite grade, but the difference in usable contribution is sufficient to make Los Angeles the winner in this modest exchange. Because this was a relatively small exchange, the grade gap is kept in proportion to the actual difference in outcomes rather than the size of the names involved.
Final Verdict
The final judgment is Los Angeles Rams Win. Los Angeles Rams receives C+, while Pittsburgh Steelers receives D. The verdict follows the strongest supported comparison of what each side directly obtained. A modest deal can still produce a winner, but the grades remain scaled to the transaction's limited size and realized impact.