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Aldon Smith Pleads Case: It’s Time, Roger Goodell

By Carl Cockerham

Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith (99) celebrates a sack as Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) lays injured on the ground during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith (99) celebrates a sack as Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) lays injured on the ground during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s time for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to stop playing games. It’s only fair that he reinstate Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Aldon Smith immediately.

We all agree that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has way too much power, right?

There should be a committee that votes on players that violate the substance abuse policy  getting reinstated. And at the very least, the ruling should be made in a timely fashion. Goodell is leaving room for fans to believe any conspiracy theory there is.

This writer has always laughed at all the conspiracy theories against the Oakland Raiders. If there ever was a valid one, it had to have died with legendary Raiders owner Al Davis. But the way Goodell is handling Aldon Smith’s suspension leaves one to wonder.

Like Josh Gordon and Randy Gregory, the league suspended Smith for a calendar year for substance abuse violations. Smith did everything by the book, passed all of his test and got left hanging. But that isn’t the case for Gordon.

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Gordon failed a test, went back to rehab and got an additional four-game suspension but could associate with teammates. He failed a test and still knew when he could return. Smith passed his tests and it’s been longer than the four weeks he gave Gordon.

The Cowboys thought Gregory would be at practice by now but the NFL has since said otherwise. But he had multiple drug-test fails during his suspension so one can see why that would happen. We’re all staying tuned for what happens in that case.

Smith had to set up a meeting with Goodell on his own accord to state his case for reinstatement. His meeting with Goodell and league officials is considered the final step before a potential reinstatement. But this is taking to long for a guy that didn’t fail a drug test while suspended.

Over two months after his suspension and you still don’t know if he can come back?

Oh yeah, the Raiders are still in the race for the AFC West.

Is Goodell trying to affect that?

The only way to be sure is for Goodell to hurry up and let Smith back in the league.

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