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Are New York Giants interested in Aldon Smith?

By Josh Hill

Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith (99) warms up before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith (99) warms up before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aldon Smith was released by the San Francisco 49ers last week, and already people are trying to connect him to a new team. 

The NFL career of former Defensive Player of the Year Aldon Smith appears to be over, for now. He was released by the San Francisco 49ers on Friday after another off field violation — an arrest for DUI — which acted as the last straw. Now that Smith is a free agent though, there are some already trying to connect him to a new team.

Late on Sunday night, it was suggested that Smith would be a fit for the New York Giants, who have a need on their defensive line with Jason Pierre-Paul’s status questionable this season.

In what is hardly a concrete report, the Giants have an opening that Smith can fill and the dots are starting to be connected.

Of course, just because there’s a need doesn’t mean the signing is or should happen. Smith didn’t go off an violate team rules here or something else mundane. He repeatedly broke the law and has refused to get better off the field, which is a major red flag to anyone looking to employ someone.

Smith shouldn’t be focusing on football and teams around the league shouldn’t be focusing on giving him another job until he has gotten some help. This isn’t about a game or making a defense better — it’s about making Smith better as a human being, not a player.

That’s what should be the focus here, not finding him a new team. There are some like Greg Hardy who inexplicably fall through the cracks of rehabilitation — social, mental or physical — but Smith needs to focus on getting better away from football before he’s thrust back into a role on the field.

Smith shouldn’t be ignored forever, as he is indeed young and very talented, but now is not the time for his next life in the NFL. That has to be earned first.

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