Will Oakland Raiders OLB Aldon Smith be around in 2016?
That’s a hard question to answer as he doesn’t seem to be a lock to play in 2016. A while back, I threw around the idea of Bruce Irvin moving to inside linebacker because he can cover so well and that Smith would return. But it turns out that the Raiders signed Smith just in case he can play.
The Raiders also picked up Damontre Moore in free agency and drafted Shilique Calhoun in the draft to have depth. I originally thought it was a matter of Smith applying for reinstatement in the NFL. But he has two legal issues that he has to deal with in court on Friday.
The first is a motion to suppress evidence relating to misdemeanor charges of DUI with a prior conviction, hit and run and vandalism from an Aug. 2015 incident that prompted his release from the 49ers. The second is an arraignment on a violation of probation from a prior conviction.
The origin or exact nature of the probation violation has not come out yet. Before all of his legal troubles started, Smith racked up 33.5 sacks in his first two years. And he’ll turn only 27 in September so of course, the Raiders made sure they’re the team he plays for when comes back.
The kid special and one of the most dominant edge-rushers in the NFL when he has his mind right. But the Raiders signed him this offseason with hopes, not plans that he’ll put that immense talent together for the organization. But first, it’s time to start dealing with all his legal matters.