New York acquired tight end Bobby Crespino from Cleveland in…
New York acquired tight end Bobby Crespino from Cleveland in a straight player trade for veteran defensive tackle Dick Modzelewski on March 4, 1964. Crespino spent five seasons with the Giants, catching 12 passes for 165 yards in 1964 and scoring four receiving touchdowns in 1965.
Cleveland Browns Received
- player Dick Modzelewski
New York Giants Received
- player Bobby Crespino
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
The Giants and Browns both describe the move as a direct player-for-player trade: Bobby Crespino to New York and Dick Modzelewski to Cleveland. The Giants' 1966 media guide explicitly calls it a straight player trade, removing the unsupported “undisclosed consideration” assets from the legacy record. Giants.com dates the deal to March 4, 1964.
New York's Return
Crespino gave the Giants real multi-year value. He played five seasons for New York, and Pro Football Reference credits him with 12 catches for 165 yards in 1964, then four receiving touchdowns on seven catches in 1965. He was not a high-volume receiving star, but he remained on the roster through 1968 and supplied useful tight-end and special-teams depth during a difficult transition period for the franchise.
Cleveland's Return
Modzelewski made the larger immediate impact. He started 13 games for Cleveland in 1964, earned Pro Bowl recognition, and became part of the defense that shut out Baltimore 27-0 in the NFL Championship Game. Cleveland returned to the championship game in 1965, and Modzelewski stayed through the 1966 season before retiring. Browns historical material describes him as a key member of the 1964 title team.
Final Verdict
Cleveland Browns Win. New York earns a B because Crespino stayed five seasons and contributed as a receiver and role player. Cleveland earns a B+ because Modzelewski became an immediate starting defensive tackle, helped anchor a championship defense, and remained productive for three seasons. The Browns received the more consequential peak value, but the Giants did receive a legitimate long-term contributor.