When it was announced that Aldon Smith‘s one year suspension was finally over, fans of the Oakland Raiders were ecstatic. The prospect of Smith with the likes of Bruce Irvin, Khalil Mack, and a Raider defense that’s finally finding it’s stride? The idea was almost too good to be true. However, weeks later, the NFL has yet to reinstate the 27-year-old pass rusher. Despite their understandable frustration, the NFL is doing the right thing.
NFL Was Right to Wait With Aldon Smith
Fool Me Once
As much as Aldon Smith has reportedly turned his life around, it’s hard to ignore his past. Since being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, Smith has been arrested five times. He’s been arrested for everything from driving drunk to the possession of illegal firearms to claiming he had a bomb in an airport. These actions have gotten Smith suspended on multiple occasions, and caused him to miss time in each of the last four seasons.
As much as Raider Nation would love to see Aldon Smith and Khalil Mack team up again, the oft-criticised NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, is in the right here. Smith has been suspended multiple times, and yet he continues to make the same mistakes. Fans of the NFL have been outraged about the opportunities given to players like Greg Hardy and Adam Jones, but it’s a different story when the player is on your team.
The Silver (and Black) Lining
In all reality, Goodell will likely reinstate Smith as early as this week, and he’ll be ready for Oakland’s game against the Buffalo Bills next Sunday. What does this mean for the Raiders? It means they’ll get an All-Pro pass rusher back, just in time for the playoff push.
The Raiders are currently in the conversation for the number one seed in the AFC. The Raiders will play the likes of Philip Rivers and Andrew Luck before the season is up, and giving the pass rush a much-needed boost could work wonders. Khalil Mack has turned up the heat lately, but the Raiders are still last in the league in sacks. As the Denver Broncos and New York Giants have proved in recent years, an effective pass rush can make the biggest difference in the biggest games.
Getting a proven stud like Smith with fresh legs this late in the season could be a huge gift. Without the fatigue or wear and tear, Smith could wreak havoc on opposing offenses. And if Mario Edwards Jr. returns in good shape, this defense could be the story of the postseason.
Patience
Be patient, Raider Nation. If Greg Hardy was allowed to come back to the NFL, so will Smith. He should be able to rejoin his teammates as soon as this week, and then things will really get interesting. The Raider defense has been slowly but surely improving, and the return of Smith will only accelerate the process.
