Legendary CFL WR Terry Greer & NFL HOFer Charles Haley
By Joe Torosian
On this date in 1986, the Rams traded the rights to CFL wide receiver Terry Greer for a fourth-round pick, 96 overall, in the 1986 draft.
Greer was drafted by the Rams in the 11th round, 304th overall, in 1980 out of Alabama State, but signed with the Toronto Argonauts.
In six CFL seasons, Greer caught 404 passes. In 1983, he caught 113 passes for 2,003yds…
The Rams traded his rights to the Cleveland Browns for 4/96/1986.Eleven days later, the Rams traded Jeff Kemp and two fourth-round picks to the San Francisco 49ers. The fourth-round pick from Cleveland and another fourth-round pick–101 overall.
In return, the Rams got a third-round pick, 71 overall, and used it on Washington Husky quarterback Hugh Millen.
In 1986, Kemp played 10 games for the 49ers, starting 6, and kept them afloat while Joe Montana was out with a back injury.
Millen, of course, does nothing with the Rams, and they eventually make the deal for Jim Everett that fall.
But those two fourth-round picks sent to Frisco? That seemed like nothing at the time turn out to be game changers for the Rams divisional rival.
The 49ers take Charles Haley at #96, and Steve Wallace #101. Haley ends up in the Hall of Fame, winning five Super Bowls, and Wallace starts eight seasons at left tackle and wins three Super Bowls.
In the grand scheme of things, Terry Greer isn’t as much of an issue as was the fourth-rounder the Rams got back from Cleveland for his rights.
It is a classic reminder of why you should never, ever, make a trade within your division…And that every draft pick, back end of the draft/third-day trade, matters.
Recent example: In the 2022 draft the Rams packaged a fifth and a seventh to the Las Vegas Raiders to move up 11 spots in the fifth round (#175 to #164) to select some dude named Kyren Williams.
Other examples of ancient ineptitude. (And for us all to understand that this is the golden age of Rams football)
April 25, 1983—The Rams trade Wendell Tyler, Cody Jones, and a third-round pick to the 49ers for a second and fourth-round pick.
Tyler rushes for a thousand yards and wins Super Bowl 19 with Frisco.
The Rams got Mike Wilcher in the second round.
April 24, 1994—Rams hold the seventh overall pick, but have an “aha!” moment and decide to move back with…believe it or not…the 49ers.
Fog City gives the Rams #15 (Wayne Gandy), #56 (Brad Ottis), #100 (Ernest Jone/not Ernest Jones IV)…
San Francisco Drafts future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Bryant Young, who plays 14 seasons, wins a Super Bowl, is named to multiple Pro Bowls, is a first-team All-Pro twice, and part of the all-decade team.
Never trade within your division!
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