ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 30, 1996 TAG: 9612310042
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
Bruce Smith knew he was the best defensive player in the NFL this season. On Sunday, it became official.
Smith, the star defensive end of the Buffalo Bills, was the runaway winner in the defensive player of the year voting conducted by The Associated Press. (Voting in Scoreboard. B3) The former Virginia Tech All-American also won the award in 1990.
He received 56 of 93 votes from a nationwide panel of sportswriters in voting conducted before the playoffs. The Bills were eliminated from the postseason by Jacksonville with a 30-27 loss Saturday.
``It means a great deal,'' said Smith, who had 13 1/2 sacks to lead the AFC and finish one sack behind Carolina's Kevin Greene for the league lead. ``It's fun. It makes you walk tall and stand proud.''
Smith, the top pick in the 1985 draft, had a superb season. The 33-year-old defensive end was a force against the run - considered his only weakness in previous years - and almost unstoppable when rushing the passer. Smith certainly seems headed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame when his career is done.
``If it was anyone else, I would say I'm amazed,'' said teammate Bryce Paup, who was voted the top defender last year and readily credits Smith for his success in 1995. ``He is so much better than anybody else that for him to win it is not anything extraordinary.''
Smith feels the same way, and he's not afraid to let it be known. He has complained loudly and frequently about being underpaid. The Bills have promised to discuss a new deal after the season, and he couldn't have made a better statement before negotiations begin.
``I think a person should be paid for how they play,'' Smith said. ``If this is an example of how I played, there shouldn't be any excuse why I'm not the highest-paid defensive player in the league. I should set the market this year.
``This is like a fairy tale. Things have fallen into place. It's taken a lot of hard work and effort and dedication on my part. It's taken putting my ego in my back pocket for 16 games, which is not easy.''
In becoming the third player to win the award at least twice, Smith is the first to go so long between honors. The New York Giants' Lawrence Taylor won it in 1981, '82 and '86, and Chicago's Mike Singletary took it in 1985 and '88.
``It's defying a lot of the odds,'' said Marv Levy, the Bills' coach. ``It takes great preparation and motivation and talent. It's been six years since, and he has become among the elder statesmen for his position.''
Smith also was the leading vote-getter on defense for the AP All-Pro team.
Greene, a linebacker who left Pittsburgh to sign as a free agent with Carolina, received 19 votes for defensive player of the year.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB