Report: Smith Asks Bills for Trade

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) â€” Running back Antowain Smith has asked the Buffalo Bills for a trade after being benched the last two games. <br><br>``We're trying to get Antowain traded,'' Smith's

Tuesday, October 10th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) â€” Running back Antowain Smith has asked the Buffalo Bills for a trade after being benched the last two games.

``We're trying to get Antowain traded,'' Smith's agent, Scott Casterline, said, according to Tuesday's The Buffalo News.

``Antowain has been patient and has never complained in his career. He played hurt on a painful turf toe last year. He needs to be traded.''

The NFL trading deadline was Tuesday.

Casterline said Bills general manager John Butler and coach Wade Phillips did not keep a promise to use Smith as the Bills' featured back.

``Wade and John told me he was the go-to guy, their franchise back. I feel like I was lied to,'' Casterline said.

Smith, who has a year left on his contract, was Buffalo's first-round draft pick in 1997.

He led Buffalo in rushing with 1,124 yards in 1998, but has struggled ever since.

After managing just 614 yards last year while nursing a toe injury, Smith opened this season coming off a sore knee he injured in preseason.

In three games, Smith rushed for 72 yards on 34 carries before being replaced by Jonathan Linton.

Through five games, quarterback Rob Johnson is the Bills' top rusher with 194 yards, while Linton has managed 69 yards on 20 carries in two games. Shawn Bryson is second on the team with 134 yards on 50 carries.