The list is long but worth reading in full. Throughout Antonio Smith’s 12-year NFL career, 35 quarterbacks have fallen prey to his total of 51 regular-season and postseason sacks.
Andrew Luck, a name on Von Miller’s most wanted list, is on there. As is Ben Roethlisberger, another quarterback many say is among the most difficult to take down. So is Philip Rivers. And Peyton Manning. Aaron Rodgers. Colin Kaepernick. Russell Wilson. And on.
But no Tom Brady.
Sunday, when the Broncos meet the Patriots in the AFC championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Smith might get an opportunity to add the four-time Super Bowl champion to the list.
As he and the rest of the Broncos prepared for the Patriots, Smith spoke about Brady, playing in Super Bowl XLIII with the Cardinals and what makes this Denver defense special.
Q: What is the biggest challenge facing the Patriots?
A: I would say the quick passing game. They get the ball off really quick and efficiently. That’s one of the major things I’ve seen on film. They execute. They’re really dangerous in that quick passing game — quick slants, screens, different things like that.
Q: Does that force you guys to do anything differently?
A: Not different. Just have to be on-point for it. Things are just going to happen quicker. It’s the same game plan Pittsburgh ran: Get the receivers the ball quick, and let them make moves and let them see if they can get (yards after the catch).
Q: Where does Brady rank among the toughest quarterbacks to get to?
A: I’d say he’s one of the toughest because he gets the ball off quick. But he’s not impossible to get to.
Q: Who is the toughest?
A: This year he gave up a little bit, but Aaron Rodgers used to be hard to get to, hard to sack. A combination of his precision with the ball. Even when players would be covered, he could get the ball in there. He wouldn’t even hesitate; he just gets the ball off right before you sack him. He’ll just throw it real quick. The way his offensive line blocks around the way he plays too. They play well together.
Q: Do you give any advice to the younger players in the playoffs?
A: Enjoy the moment. But also don’t make it bigger than what it is by putting too much on yourself. Just go out there and play like you normally play. Just add a little more intensity.
Q: The loss to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLIII — does that still eat at you?
A: To this day. It bothers us all. Everybody that was in that, when we talk today it still eats at us. In the offseason when I see (former Steelers receiver) Santonio Holmes, I have to tell him every time, “You stole that Super Bowl from me, man.” We just joke.
Q: Seems like this season’s Denver defense is very close. What is it about this group?
A: It’s just the perfect mixture of all kinds of things. It isn’t that everyone’s the same. I can’t even explain it. It’s like you threw a whole bunch of junk together and it just came out good. That’s what it’s like.
Q: Is this the best defense you’ve been a part of?
A: Yes. By far.
Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or @NickiJhabvala
About Antonio Smith:
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Height: 6-foot-3
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Weight: 290 pounds
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Age: 34
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Hometown: Oklahoma City
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NFL experience: 12th season
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Signed a one-year deal with Broncos as a free agent in April 2015
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Had nine tackles, 2½ sacks and two passes defended in 16 games this season
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Played with Arizona (2004-08), Houston (2009-13) and Oakland (2014)
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One of only eight players to have multiple sacks in every season since 2005
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Has played the most games (150) of any active defensive player since 2006
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Has played in nine postseason games; was a starter in Super Bowl XLIII with the Cardinals
