NFL History: 25 greatest quarterback-tight end duos of all time

The 16th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Jim Hart & Jackie Smith

There was once a time when the St. Louis Cardinals referred to a Major League Baseball team and an NFL team. That time was from 1960-1987, when the team that is now the Arizona Cardinals called St. Louis home.

For majority of that time, the football Cardinals had an amazing quarterback-tight end duo in Jim Hart and Hall of Fame tight end Jackie Smith. Smith played for St. Louis from 1963-1977. He was joined by Hart in 1966 and they remained together until Smith’s first retirement in ‘77.

While Smith was good in his first three years, he really unlocked his full ability when Hart became his quarterback. Starting in 1966, Smith went to five consecutive Pro bowls. His best season was in 1967, Hart’s first full year as starter, when he caught 56 passes for 1,205 yards and nine touchdowns.

While Hart was still a young quarterback in the late ‘60s, Smith helped him develop into one of the leagues best during the ‘70s. From 1974-1977, Hart went to four straight Pro bowls.

The duo’s best years in terms of team success came from 1974-1976 when they went a combined 31-11 making two playoff appearances. In their total time together, 124 games, they produced 278 catches, 4,664 yards and 29 touchdowns.