Woody:For Smith, it's three and out

[TK]

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For Smith, it's three and out

With sack record in books, Redskins' DE will retire after season

BY PAUL WOODY

TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Thursday, December 11, 2003

ASHBURN - With the all-time sack record finally in his possession and his place in NFL history long since secured, Washington Redskins defensive end Bruce Smith has come to a decision about his future as a football player.

He's facing the final three games of his career.

"Those are my intentions," Smith said yesterday. "Unless there are some unusual circumstances that come into play, more than likely these will be my last three games."

When asked what unusual situation would keep him from retiring, Smith said, "I just never go into a situation and say I'll never do something."

Barring the discovery of a fountain of youth, the last game of Smith's illustrious career will be Dec. 27 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Smith, 40, contemplated retirement after last season. He decided to come back, in part to pursue the sack record. He ob- SMITHtained that record Sunday when he sacked Jesse Palmer for the 199th of his 19-year NFL career. Smith had been tied with Reggie White at 198. The NFL has kept sacks as a statistic since 1982.

"It's a load off not only my back but some of my teammates as well," Smith said of reaching the milestone. "Week in week out, day in day out, being asked about the record did get a little tiring.

"People meant well, but my energy was always focused on winning the ballgame."

Smith, a native of Norfolk and resident of Virginia Beach, came into the NFL in 1985 as the first player drafted overall, by the Buffalo Bills. He played his college football at Virginia Tech, where he won the Outland Trophy after the 1984 season.

Smith, 6-4 262, played in 11 Pro Bowls and helped the Bills reach four Super Bowls. The Bills lost each of those Super Bowls.

Smith came to Washington in 2000 with the intention of helping the team improve its defense, setting the sack record and returning to the Super Bowl.

He made good on the first two goals, but the team has not made the playoffs since Smith arrived.

"Not reaching the Super Bowl was disappointing," Smith said. "The sack record is nice, but nothing takes the place of winning a Super Bowl. I had the opportunity to play in four Super Bowls, but as far as winning one, it wasn't meant to be."

Smith once was the premier pass-rushing defensive end in the game. Age has taken its toll, and the Redskins have used Smith as a pass-rush specialist most of this season. And even though his effectiveness has been limited, Smith's effort never has diminished. But with the sack record in his possession, Smith knew it was time to go.

The decision was emotional, but it did not bring tears.

Instead, Smith said, he had a feeling of, "Joy. It's been a long ride, a long haul. But I don't want to focus too much on that. We have a whale of a game to prepare for this weekend. Some may write it off as meaningless, but it's not meaningless to me."

The Redskins (5-8) have a home game Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys (8-5).

Smith is certain to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He seems a lock to be a first-ballot selection.

"I haven't thought along those lines," Smith said. "I've been busy studying film. I came in on my day off, just like I have the last 17, 18 years. That's the way I keep my mind focused and channeled on the job."

The job ends soon for Smith. He has ample evidence that he has done it well.

AND FURTHERMORE: Running back Ladell Betts is out for Sunday's game, while running back Trung Canidate is doubtful. Chad Morton, Sultan McCullough and John Simon took the work at running back in practice yesterday. . . . Center Larry Moore has been placed on injured reserve with a foot injury. The Redskins also promoted rookie linebacker Clifton Smith, who has been on the practice squad all season, to the regular-season roster. They re-signed offensive lineman Daryl Terrell, whom they initially signed, then cut, last week. Second-year quarterback Brandon Doman, from Brigham Young, was added to the practice squad, as was defensive lineman Greg White. . . . The Redskins have offered a long-term contract extension to linebacker LaVar Arrington, NFL sources told the Washington Post. The details of the team's proposal were unclear.

Contact Paul Woody at (804) 649-6444 or pwoody@timesdispatch.com

[Montilar]

"Those are my intentions," Smith said yesterday. "Unless there are some unusual circumstances that come into play, more than likely these will be my last three games."

Interpretation:

"If some team next year goes 14-2 and needs a DE for the playoffs of course I will play for them."

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