PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : For Smith, Record Seems in the Sack

With 10 sacks already to his credit this season, defensive lineman Anthony Smith is more than halfway to a new team record, whatever that record might officially be.

The Raiders list Tony Cline as their record-holder with 17 sacks in 1970, Cline’s rookie season. The Raiders played a 14-game season in those days.

But the NFL did not recognize the sack as an individual statistic until 1982. Since then, Sean Jones has the highest Raider total with 15 1/2 sacks in 1986.

Next in line since ’82 with 13 in a season are Howie Long in ‘83, Greg Townsend in ’91 and Smith again in ’92.

Smith has a career total of 33 1/2 sacks in 37 games.

The Raiders’ leader is Townsend with 104 sacks.

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The Raiders return to action in sole possession of second place in the AFC West at 4-2, a game behind the Kansas City Chiefs.

The schedule seems to favor the Raiders. In only four of their remaining nine games will they face a team currently better than .500. The Chiefs will play a team currently above .500 in seven of their last nine.

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The only glaring weakness for the Raiders heading into Sunday’s game at the Coliseum against the San Diego Chargers is the running game. The Raiders are ranked 26th in the 28-team league in rushing yards per game and 27th in average gain per rush.

Starting tailback Nick Bell has been hampered by leg injuries all season.

Bell is listed as questionable for Sunday, but that status has probably been downgraded to doubtful. Bothered by an ankle sprain in recent weeks, Bell sprained the ankle again at the start of practice Wednesday and spent the rest of the afternoon in the trainer’s room. Talking about his offense, Coach Art Shell said, “I really believe we’re on the verge of an explosion. It’s going to get to the point where we are going to score a lot of points. We’re close in a lot of areas, and I think we’re just about ready to turn that corner.”