Baltimore sent center Bill Curry to Houston for guard Tom…
Baltimore sent center Bill Curry to Houston for guard Tom Regner and the 1973 third-round pick used on fullback Bill Olds. Curry's Oilers stint ended after only four games in 1973, while Olds developed into a useful Colts starter and offensive contributor, including 14 starts in 1975. Regner added little in Baltimore, but the pick outcome created enough value for a clear Colts win.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Thomas Regner / Tom Regner
- pick 1973 third round pick (#61-Bill Olds)
Tennessee Titans Received
- player Bill Curry
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Baltimore traded veteran center Bill Curry to Houston in January 1973 for guard Tom Regner and a third-round draft choice. The Colts used the No. 61 pick on fullback Bill Olds. Regner did not become a meaningful Baltimore player, so the success of the deal largely depends on comparing Olds' contribution with Curry's abbreviated Oilers tenure.
Why Olds Gave Baltimore Real Value
Olds developed into a useful backfield piece for the Colts. He played 52 NFL games, rushed for 985 career yards, and scored 10 total touchdowns. His strongest Baltimore role came in 1975, when he started all 14 games for an AFC East champion and contributed as both a runner and receiver. That was meaningful value from a third-round choice.
What Houston Received
Curry arrived with extensive experience and leadership credentials, but his Oilers career lasted only four games, all starts, in 1973. A major leg injury ended that season and effectively his NFL playing career. Houston therefore received almost none of the multi-year veteran stability it hoped to acquire.
Why the Pick Outcome Decides It
If Curry had remained healthy, the veteran center could have balanced the exchange. Instead, the Oilers' side became extremely short-lived while Baltimore's draft pick produced several seasons of useful football. Regner's lack of Colts impact limits the ceiling, but Olds alone supplied substantially more realized value.
Final Verdict
Baltimore earns an A- and a clear win. Olds became a real contributor on successful Colts teams, while Houston received only four games from Curry. The Oilers receive a D+ because the acquisition was understandable and Curry did start immediately, but the realized return was too brief to compete with Baltimore's draft payoff.