How Aldon Smith Makes Oakland Raiders D Better

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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 /

What Smith Brings Himself

Many of you may have been watching Smith for the first time when he went to the Raiders in 2015. But he had no training camp that year and it took time for him to get in football shape. He was just starting to hit his stride with sacks in each of his last two games.

Then of course, he had to serve that suspension but he still made the defense better. In 2016, the Raiders were last in the NFL with a paltry 25 sacks on the year. In 2015 with Smith, the Raiders were in in the top half of the league with 38 sacks.

Smith is also great in the running game, setting a hard edge, funneling everything back inside. In 2015 with Smith, they were No. 13 against the run vs. No. 23 without him. That’s the difference Smith made at much less than 100 percent of himself.

At 100 percent, Smith is special, getting to 30 sacks faster than anyone in NFL history before he went left. With a full offseason and training camp, that’s the player the Raiders are getting. It’s also his last chance and people usually make the most of their last chance.

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