With The First Pick
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Oakland Raiders Should Move Bruce Irvin Inside

By Carl Cockerham

Nov 2, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) dances after making a defensive stop during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Oakland 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) dances after making a defensive stop during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Oakland 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is injured as he is sacked by Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith (99) 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; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is injured as he is sacked by Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith (99) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /

LEO Coming Back

Irvin has already established that he’s not a good LEO but it’s okay, the Raiders already have one. The LEO position was invented for players just like Aldon Smith with the skill-set he possesses. Smith is probably the best pure pass-rusher of this generation in the NFL, he just has to stay on the field.

At 6’5″, 260 pounds, he has the burst off the edge, the power, the length, and the moves to get it done. Smith used all that God-given talent to rack up 33.5 sacks in his first two years in the NFL. That total is more than any pass-rusher that’s ever played the game of football in the NFL.

The only thing that ever got in his way is the problems with substances that have gotten him suspended. When he gets back in November, he will have missed almost two full regular seasons to suspensions. He’s a once-in-a-generation player so the Raiders will ride with him while he’s getting the help he needs.

His latest suspension, has him missing the first 10 games but he will be back down the home stretch of the season. He will then have six weeks to work the rust off and get ready for the playoffs. So all the Raiders really need is a guy to keep his seat warm while he’s out but again, Irvin isn’t a fit there.

Next: Rookie can Bridge the Gap

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