By a Nose [Hardcover]

Fred Smerlas (Author), Vic Carucci (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (September 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671705326
• ISBN-13: 978-0671705329
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #892,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smerlas' Offsides Humor, October 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: By a Nose (Hardcover)

This book brings out the humor and reality of a career as a Pro Bowl Nose Takle in the NFL. Vic Carrucci has captured the essence of what it's like to be a pro football player that really enjoys the game.

You see all sides of Smerlas; Boston College prospect, Training camp rookie, seasoned veteran, and aging player.

It is surprisingly touching and personal in places and grabs your attention throughout the book. A "must have" for any Bills fan from the 80's.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fred Smerlas book, March 16, 2010

By 

K. L. Taylor (Rochester NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: By a Nose (Hardcover)

I was thrilled to receive this used book because I love Fred Smerlas. Imagine my surprise to find that it had been autographed by Fred at some point in time!! He has a radio show every Wednesday evening, he is brilliant and hysterically funny, I never miss the show!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars historical bills fans will love it, February 18, 2005

By 

J. Duncan (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: By a Nose (Hardcover)

marks another key chapter in bills history, from the depths of the awful mid-80's teams to the emergence of a powerhouse in the late-80's and early 90's. candid and humorous at the same time, another must-read for bills fans.