TE Jerry Smith: PFHOF Worthy?

Some say former Redskin Jerry Smith deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played in the era when tight ends were first becoming passing targets, as opposed to an extra blocker. Smith was a TE/WR/FL, more receiver than blocker.

Here’s a comparison to other elite tight ends of the 60’s and early 70’s, who monopolized the All Pro awards and Pro Bowl appearances – often a key factor in determining HOF consideration. Based on the stats, these awards seem to set the others apart from Smith. Is this fair?  

A movie might be in the works about Smith's life, according to Variety magazine.

YR..G..rec.yards.avg.TD.rec/yr PB.AP

10 128 336 4817 14.3 31   33.6   7  3 Charlie Sanders HOF

10 139 331 5236 15.8 38   33.1   5  3 John Mackey HOF

12 158 427 5812 13.6 43   35.6   5  2 Mike Ditka HOF

16 210 480 7918 16.5 40   30.0   5  0 Jackie Smith HOF

11 155 305 4358 14.3 28   27.7   2  0 Jim Mitchell (below)

13 168 421 5496 13.1 60   32.4   1  0 Jerry Smith

12 187 512 4859 09.5 21   42.7   2  0 Herschel Walker NFL

Always interesting to compare Herschel to other hall of famers, though Walker didn’t play much tight end, and played in a more pass happy era. Herschel was one of the first running backs to be used as much as a receiver as runner, and one of very few players ever to line up at flanker, split end, tight end, wingback, halfback, and fullback. He also returned kickoffs, and played on kick coverage teams. Unlike Dorsett, Dickerson, OJ, Campbell, and others, it’s Impossible to categorize Herschel as just a tailback. He caught the second-most passes for a rookie in NFL history, setting a Cowboys rookie receiving record in the process.