PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Smith Looking for Answers

Whatever happened to Anthony Smith?

The Raiders were hesitant to take veteran defensive end Greg Townsend’s starting job away from him. And, for a long time, they questioned Smith’s effectiveness against the run.

So Smith became a super sub, coming in on pass-rushing situations.

Smith made the most of his brief time, recording an incredible 34 1/2 sacks in 38 career games.

He had 11 this season in seven games. With nine games to go and his playing time greatly increased, Smith seemed a sure bet to break Tony Cline’s club record of 17.

But since then, Smith has only one sack in five games.

His problems began against the Kansas City Chiefs, when he got his hands on the helmet of quarterback Dave Krieg. Krieg squirmed out of Smith’s grasp, and the lineman injured a finger on his left hand in the process.

Smith didn’t tell anyone immediately, but the pain persisted. The finger was heavily bandaged for the game against the Bengals in Cincinnati. But when Smith found he couldn’t grasp anybody that way, he ripped off the bandages early in the game. By game’s end, he was nearly in tears from the pain.

Smith felt better Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, but for the second week in a row, he was sackless.

“I’m not playing very well. I’m not getting to the quarterback like I should,” said Smith, refusing to blame the finger. “If you find out what’s wrong, tell me. I need help . . . bad.”