Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie says that he plans to sign Aldon Smith long term, as Vic Tafur of The San Francisco Chronicle tweets. McKenzie added that the team did a lot of research on Smith before letting “him become member of our family” and, clearly, they’re happy with what they’ve seen so far.
Smith, 26, has appeared in six games and made four starts for the Raiders this season, racking up 18 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three pass deflections. Some teams steered clear of the troubled Smith after he was let go by the 49ers this offseason, but the Raiders gambled on him and so far that has paid off.
When healthy and on the field, Smith can be one of the league’s most effective pass rushers, as he exhibited during his first two years in the NFL. As a part-time player in his rookie season, the linebacker recorded 14 sacks, and he piled up another 19.5 as a starter in 2012, en route to a spot on the All-Pro first team.
However, Smith’s off-field issues have limited his production in 2013 and 2014 — he missed nearly half the Niners’ games over the last two seasons after entering a rehabilitation facility in 2013 and serving a nine-game suspension in 2014. Most recently, Smith was arrested by Santa Clara police on hit and run, DUI, and vandalism charges, though when he was released from jail, the outside linebacker disputed the fact that he had been driving under the influence.
The Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Rams also made contract offers to Smith, and reportedly offered more money, but Smith chose to sign with Oakland partially because of its proximity to his Bay Area home.
So 1.5 sacks is paying off. Lol I’m glad my niners released him. It’s only a matter of time before he falls off the wagon again. He hasn’t produced like his 1st and 2nd season. Mostly with Justin smith’s help.
Oakland is putting him in pass situations and usually only rushing 3 to get the passer thus like the chargers game he was getting double teamed by the guard and tackle. He’s way better than Ahmad brooks.
Something in my mind tells me that the niners will bring him back. One of my favorite players. Balkee HAD to cut him but you can tell it hurt him a lot. I think balkee thought that let Aldon serve his suspension with a team that wants to sign him but the suspension hasn’t hit yet and sign him back in free agency. Also in other reports is says niner players lost respect for kap after his and smiths altercation over his ex and players were on Aldons side so kap should be gone so the locker room shouldn’t be a problem either. Maybe sign someone like tuck or Pierre Paul in free agency if you believe Justin smith helped him. Lynch and smith off the edge would be a good duo. Make it happen come back to SF.
I would take lynch over smith anyday. And I live in San Diego and watched smith play almost every down. He looks lost out there. No hustle.
I’m saying I’d take smith over brooks all day. Espically the fourth quarter in that game he was getting double teamed. He hustled for the niners so all they need is someone to motivate his hustle
Smith has done everything we have asked him to and he didn’t even have training camp. As long as he is committed to the team and stays on the straight and narrow, he will produce.
Raiders d > niners d
3-3. 2-5
End of discussion
So know your going to compare records and defenses? Ok beat a team that has more than 2 wins on the year instead of playing some good teams who are atop of their division. Seems like raiders finally are at 500. and has their fan base excited and some think they can go to the Super Bowl. Ha. Wake up. Your team won’t even make the playoffs this year