By a Nose

For 11 years Smerlas was the nose tackle for the Buffalo Bills. He was picked for the Pro Bowl five times, evidence of the esteem in which he was held by his peers. He broke in under Chuck Knox, a rock 'em, sock 'em coach for whom he gave his best, then played for Kay Stevenson and Hank Bullough, whom he despised, and Marv Levy, who operated on a ``different wavelength.'' As forthright as Smerlas is about his coaches here, he is no less so about other players, whether those on his own team or those outside it. Writing with sports journalist Carucci he candidly recaps his career in high school and college before considering his years with the Bills, who during the '80s were as good as 11-5 and as bad as 2-14. Photos not seen by PW. (Sept.)