Dallas reacquired veteran tackle Tony Liscio during the 1971…
Dallas reacquired veteran tackle Tony Liscio during the 1971 season and received immediate value at exactly the right time. Liscio became a starter down the stretch and remained in the lineup through the Cowboys' championship postseason, culminating in Super Bowl VI. That timely contribution gave Dallas far more practical value than the fifth-round pick it surrendered, supporting a B+ grade for the Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Tony Liscio
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1972 fifth round pick (#130-Harry Gooden)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1971-11-19, Dallas Cowboys received Tony Liscio, while Los Angeles Chargers received 1972 fifth round pick (#130-Harry Gooden). The deal can be judged by the value each franchise actually controlled after the exchange: direct playing time, useful roster service, and clearly documented movement of any draft choice. Those later results provide the basis for comparing the two returns.
Dallas Cowboys Return
Dallas reacquired veteran tackle Tony Liscio during the 1971 season and received immediate value at exactly the right time. Liscio became a starter down the stretch and remained in the lineup through the Cowboys' championship postseason, culminating in Super Bowl VI. That timely contribution gave Dallas far more practical value than the fifth-round pick it surrendered, supporting a B+ grade for the Cowboys. The grade reflects the actual usefulness of that return rather than the reputation or theoretical value attached to the asset on the day of the deal.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
The Chargers received the 1972 fifth-round pick used on Harry Gooden when Dallas reacquired Tony Liscio. Gooden did not produce a meaningful regular-season return for the Chargers, while Liscio immediately helped stabilize the Cowboys' offensive line during a championship run. The draft asset gave Los Angeles a chance at future value, but the realized outcome was modest, supporting a D grade. The same standard applies to this side: tangible playing value and clearly retained draft capital matter more than an eventual selection made by a different franchise.
Value in Hindsight
The timing separates the two returns. Dallas did not merely acquire depth; it reacquired a veteran who stepped into the starting lineup during a title season and remained there through the postseason. Los Angeles held a fifth-round selection but did not turn it into comparable production. The championship context makes the Cowboys' advantage unusually clear for a transaction built around a mid-round pick.
Final Verdict
The final call is Dallas Cowboys Win. Dallas Cowboys earns B+, and Los Angeles Chargers earns D. Those grades reflect the supported package and the relative football value each side realized, while keeping later draft movement in the proper franchise context.