San Diego received defensive lineman Scott Appleton and…
San Diego received defensive lineman Scott Appleton and linebacker Johnny Baker, and both gave the Chargers useful 1967 service. Appleton started all 14 games, while Baker also contributed to the defense. That is a solid two-player return, but it was outweighed by the immediate star-level season Houston received from cornerback Miller Farr.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Scott Appleton
- player Johnny Baker
Tennessee Titans Received
- player Miller Farr
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On January 12, 1967, San Diego sent Miller Farr to Houston for Scott Appleton and Johnny Baker. The deal gave the Chargers two defensive players for one, while the Oilers concentrated their return in Farr. Both sides received immediate roster help, so the comparison turns on the quality of that help rather than on whether either club received usable value.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
Appleton became a 14-game starter for San Diego in 1967, giving the Chargers a full season of dependable work after the trade. Baker also contributed, making the two-player package meaningful rather than merely decorative. San Diego therefore received legitimate depth and starting value, and a B+ grade reflects that the club converted one player into two pieces who could actually help.
Tennessee Titans Return
Farr produced the most important season attached to the exchange. In 1967 he earned first-team All-AFL recognition and intercepted 10 passes for Houston, giving the Oilers a high-impact defensive back immediately after the move. That level of performance is more valuable than ordinary roster service, especially because it arrived without a developmental waiting period or another transaction being necessary.
Value in Hindsight
The Chargers can reasonably defend the trade because Appleton started every game and Baker added another contributor. The edge still belongs to Houston because Farr supplied the highest-end performance in the transaction. The comparison does not require dismissing San Diego's return; it simply gives more weight to an elite season than to the combined value of two useful but less influential pieces.
Final Verdict
San Diego receives a B+ and Houston receives an A-. The Oilers win the trade because Farr's immediate All-AFL season and 10 interceptions created the strongest football value, while the Chargers still deserve substantial credit for receiving two players who contributed right away.