Redskins.com:For Smith, Sack Record Is No Consolation

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http://redskins.com/story.asp?ContentID=12297

For Smith, Sack Record Is No Consolation

11/24/2003

By Gary Fitzgerald

Redskins.com

It was a moment of sheer joy. Renaldo Wynn and Bruce Smith had converged on Miami quarterback Brian Griese and sacked him for a 9-yard loss. Wynn and Smith embraced as the rest of the defense came over.

With the half-sack, Smith had tied Reggie White for the NFL’s all-time career sack record. Both Smith and White are tied with 198 career sacks.

In the end, though, it was only a moment. The Redskins lost to the Dolphins 24-23 as Miami scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to come back and win the game.

“Tying the sack record was nice, but what would have been nice was winning,” he said. “Winning is the ultimate goal. And when you win, good things happen to individuals. So winning always comes first.

“We would have put ourselves in position to get after the quarterback a little bit more had we maintained our lead. Words can’t express how guys in this locker room feel—and how disappointed I feel right now.”

Smith has three sacks this season. Griese became the 73rd quarterback that Smith has sacked in his illustrious career.

Smith has five more games this season to surpass White and become the all-time sack leader. His first chance comes at FedExField next Sunday when the New Orleans Saints come to Washington. Smith, who is primarily a pass-rush specialist at this point in his career and shares duties at right defensive end with Regan Upshaw, is expected to face off against nine-year veteran Wayne Gandy.

At Redskin Park on Monday, Smith said winning the Miami game would have made tying the sack record all that much sweeter.

“Obviously, from the first three quarters, we should have won this game,” he said. “We have to learn to play four quarters. We fell apart. We were making plays during the game, but we fell short in the end.”