Alden Roche, a rugged but unsung defensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers during the 1970s, died earlier this week. Roche, 77, had been living in Marrero, La., which is located in metropolitan New Orleans.
The Packers acquired Roche in a draft-day trade in 1971. Additionally, they swapped first-round picks with Denver, moving up four spots, in exchange for fourth-year quarterback Don Horn. The Packers, in turn, used the ninth overall choice from the Broncos to select fullback John Brockington.
Mostly because of Brockington but also because Roche turned out to be a pillar of strength on defenses that ranked in the top 10 in fewest yards allowed three times in six years, it turned out to be one of the Packers' best trades during the 22-year stretch between the departure of Vince Lombardi and the arrival of Ron Wolf as general managers.