 He was the fifth defensive lineman and a backup for defensive tackles Bob Lilly and Jethro Pugh.Tom Landry would later say "Ron East was the most aggressive player he ever coached".After trading the troubled Lance Rentzel, the Cowboys replaced him with future hall of famer Lance Alworth and East was sent to the San Diego Chargers as part of the "Bambi trade" in May 1971, that also involved Pettis Norman and Tony Liscio.