The Oakland Raiders and Aldon Smith: Not a dumb idea

Signing Aldon Smith wasn’t a dumb idea, but it wasn’t exactly the deal of the decade either.

The Oakland Raiders signed oft-arrested linebacker Aldon Smith on Friday and could start him as early as Sunday, according to Adam Schefter.

With the addition of Smith to a roster that already includes defensive end Khalil Mack, the Raiders have perhaps the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL. Early in his career, Smith’s stats were unreal, totaling 23.5 sacks in his first two seasons and 101 tackles.

If this were the end of the Aldon Smith story, then the Raiders’ move was incredibly smart. Since, however, part of the beleaguered linebacker’s narrative includes multiple run-ins with the law, this move has been viewed as risky, and even flat-out stupid mostly because there is a possibility he could face an impending suspension due to his off-field antics. After all, Smith was charged with three misdemeanors today for which he could face NFL punishment. Last season he was suspended for nine games for personal conduct violations.

Here are four reasons why the move to sign Smith is not dumb, despite the obvious risk:

1) The Raiders have no pass rush, totaling only 22 sacks in the 2014 season. Smith is known for his pass-rush prowess and could provide a much-needed boost to an area of need. The need him more than the Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Rams, all teams that reportedly considered signing him.

2) The Raiders are rehabbing their bad-boy image, and so is Smith. As recently as 2011, the Raiders were said to “represent the dark side of the NFL” as the “bad boys of NFL football. What better place for Smith than a team that has striven to improve their reputation in recent years?

3) Even if the Raiders don’t shake that reputation, picking imposing, nasty, ruthless players is a tradition that made the Raiders great in their hey day. Why not fall back on that?

4) It’s just a one-year deal, and not a very expensive one considering what he could bring to the table. And, if he brings a lot to the table, he’ll be compensated for it.

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