New Orleans acquired linebacker Tom Stincic from Dallas in…
New Orleans acquired linebacker Tom Stincic from Dallas in July 1972, and the Cowboys received the 1973 third-round pick used on Harvey Martin at No. 53. Martin became one of the defining defenders in Cowboys history, earning four Pro Bowls and sharing Super Bowl XII MVP honors. That extraordinary conversion overwhelms the Saints’ modest return and makes this a decisive Dallas victory.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- pick 1973 third round pick (#53-Harvey Martin)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Tom Stincic
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Dallas traded linebacker Tom Stincic to New Orleans during the 1972 preseason and received the Saints’ 1973 third-round selection. Cowboys draft history identifies that choice as No. 53, Harvey Martin. Whatever small date variation appears in secondary player biographies, the durable team and draft records support the player-for-third-round-pick package that matters for evaluating the deal.
What New Orleans Received
Stincic gave the Saints an experienced linebacker and appeared for New Orleans in 1972. That provided immediate roster value, but his stay did not become a long, high-impact Saints tenure. In most trades, a usable veteran for a third-round selection can be defensible. The problem for New Orleans is what Dallas did with the pick.
What Dallas Received
Martin became a foundational piece of the Cowboys defense. He played eleven seasons for Dallas, reached four Pro Bowls, earned first-team All-Pro recognition and shared the MVP award in Super Bowl XII. A third-round pick rarely produces that combination of longevity, peak performance and postseason significance. Dallas did not merely receive a future asset; it converted the asset into one of the franchise’s signature defensive players. Martin’s value extended well beyond raw statistics because he remained central to Dallas’ championship defense throughout the decade, making the pick conversion unusually successful for the third round.
Final Verdict
Dallas wins by an enormous margin in hindsight. New Orleans acquired a legitimate veteran, so the Saints did receive something of value, but Martin’s career makes the comparison lopsided. An A+ for Dallas reflects elite draft conversion and championship-level production. A D for New Orleans recognizes that the cost became historically painful even though Stincic was not valueless at the time.