Rushing to His Defense : Raiders’ Anthony Smith Wants to Prove That He’s Not Just a Sack Specialist

It was nearly 6 in the evening, but the temperature at St. Edward’s University still hovered near 100 degrees.

For most of the Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, another wearying day of double practice sessions was over.

Time to grab some food and maybe take a dip in the pool before the night strategy meetings.

But for the defensive linemen, the physical part of the day wasn’t quite over. Having removed their bulky shoulder pads, they were still jogging up and down the field.

Finally, exhausted under the merciless Texas sun, they headed in until one ordered the others into a circle.

That player stood in the center, leading a quick, rah-rah session to boost any sagging spirits.

When the others had finally disappeared, Anthony Smith stood at a nearby fence, signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans until the bus threatened to pull out without him.

Nothing, it would seem, can sag Smith’s spirits--not the summer sun, not the possibility of another frustrating winter. Not even the passing of a new rule that could rob him of his glory.

Smith had some brilliant moments last season, only his second active year in the league, recording 13 sacks, best on the Raiders and among the best in the conference.

But there were also plenty of idle moments spent watching his defense work without him.

The Raiders, feeling Smith wasn’t effective against the run, played him only on passing downs.

In that capacity, Smith has 23.5 sacks in two seasons.

What would he do if he played full time?

Many people have been wondering, and they might soon find out.

Smith did not let his frustrations boil in the off-season.

Instead, he kept busy with his huge volume of charity work and came back determined to power his way into the lineup on a regular basis.

“I honestly feel there’s no way I can be denied if I play like I can,” Smith said. “No way.

“Last year, they had to play with the ‘cinches.’ Howie Long, with all the years he has played, was a cinch. Anthony Smith was no cinch.”

It’s the Raider way, said Gunther Cunningham, the defensive coordinator.

“You have to be patient,” he said. “You have to work your way into this organization. We’ve won a lot of games that way.”

That, Smith can understand. Harder to accept is the notion that he has difficulty against the run.

“Where is this stuff coming from?” Smith said. “The problem is, I never had an opportunity to play against the run.

“I did it in college at Alabama and Arizona. I played against the run. I played against guys like Bo Jackson.”

Two factors seem to favor Smith.

One is the arrival of Ray Hamilton, who has replaced Earl Leggett as the defensive line coach.

While the line coach doesn’t have the final word on the starting lineup, a new perspective might give Smith new hope.

“When I come to a team,” Hamilton said, “I start new. I don’t form any opinions on what was done in the past. It’s what they do under me that counts. They are all under a new system, and I have no prejudices from the past. Gunther and I and (Coach Art Shell) will talk it over, and the ones who learn out there are the ones who will be out there.”

Hamilton likes what he has seen of Smith. Cunningham is also enthusiastic.

“He has looked much better against the run,” Cunningham said. “If he plays that way, we’ll be all right.”

The second factor is Long. The presence of Hamilton in camp has coincided with the absence of Long, the Raiders’ star defensive lineman. Long refuses to report until the Raiders agree to renegotiate his contract.

That means more playing time for Smith in camp, more chances to show what he can do.

The only possible negative is a new NFL rule designed to further protect the quarterback. A quarterback who leaves the pocket can throw the ball away to avoid a sack, even if there is no receiver in the general area he throws to.

That could mean far fewer sacks. And, says Smith, angrier linemen.

“It’s not going to hurt me,” Smith said. “It’s going to hurt the quarterback. If that (intentional grounding) happens, I’m going to slam somebody. . . .

“There are only two stars on a team--the quarterback and the quarterback killer. And I want to be a star.”