Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Raiders 'not worried' about Aldon Smith being a distraction
Share This Post
Comments
Saturday, September 12, 2015 - 1:45pm
Follow @BairCSN

ALAMEDA -– The Raiders locker room is full of character players. That’s not an accident. General manager Reggie McKenzie designed it that way, rarely taking risks on talent with off-field issues.

There are some Raiders living with past mistakes, but they haven’t caused an issue in silver and black. A player employed by the Raiders hasn’t been on the police blotter in years, which is a point of pride for this organization.

The Raiders have had the extra cash and depth-chart needs to take a risk on troubled talent, but owner Mark Davis has drawn a line on what’s acceptable. No Greg Hardy. Ray Rice isn’t coming to town. Generally speaking, domestic violence issues aren’t welcome on this roster.

Davis signed off on former 49er edge rusher Aldon Smith. Had to. So did McKenzie and head coach Jack Del Rio. They signed the former All-Pro edge rusher on Friday, and will add him to a suddenly scary defensive front as early Sunday’s opener against Cincinnati.

[BAIR: Bengals OC: Mack 'a rolling ball of butcher knives']

Defensive end and team captain Justin Tuck vouched for him. The locker room is full of high-character veterans who will try and make sure that: A) Smith feels comfortable and B) Smith doesn’t become a distraction. That said, they don’t feel a need hold a 25-year old man’s hand roughly a month removed from his fifth-run in with the law since 2011.

“I don’t really know about his past,” safety Charles Woodson said. “Aldon is a grown man. Whatever he has to do deal with, I’m sure he’ll deal with it accordingly.

“I’m not a babysitter, and I don’t think anyone expects anyone else to be his babysitter. The only thing we expect is that he comes in and works hard. We’ve been working hard all offseason. He needs to contribute and help make this team great. That’s what we want. I’m sure he wants the same thing.”

We haven’t heard from Smith yet. He wasn’t available to the press after Friday’s practice.

The Raiders were excited to have Smith in Alameda. San Francisco 49ers players were sorry to see him leave Santa Clara after being released on Aug. 7 following an arrest on suspicion of DUI, hit-and-run and vandalism.

Smith has problems with the law, including multiple arrests for DUI. The Santa Clara County District Attorney charged with misdemeanor DUI with a prior conviction, hit-and-run and vandalism under $400 shortly after signing with the Raiders.

Players have publicly considered Smith as a good teammate. He has had trouble staying on a reputable path, but signed with the Raiders in part to stay closer to a support system. Tuck can help him with that.

[BAIR: Tuck's role in bringing Aldon to Raiders? 'I plead the Fifth']

“What we all need to be good at is listening,” Tuck said. “Aldon is a self-aware type of dude. He’ll let us know how we can help him.”

He has an arraignment set for Oct. 6, and NFL could take punitive action for his latest transgression, though the league generally waits for matters to be adjudicated. He is now a primary topic of conversation, as he was Friday when media focus would be on the Bengals.

Woodson, for one, isn’t worried about distractions.

“I’m not worried about that at all,” Woodson said. “Aldon will be a great addition to our team. We already felt like had put together a very good team, and he adds to it.”

If Smith doesn’t get in more trouble, there isn’t much risk in this Raiders signing. His contract is loaded with incentives and per-game roster bonuses, meaning the Raiders will pay for what they get. If he’s suspended, the Raiders are back where they started, with Khalil Mack, Tuck and second-rounder Mario Edwards Jr. rushing off the edge.

[MAIOCCO: 49ers' Bowman roots for Aldon Smith to 'stay on track']

It’s important to remember that Smith wasn’t a valuable Raiders first-round draft pick. He isn’t a long-term investment or a gamble with high selections, a franchise’s prize possessions. It also won’t change the Raiders penchant for drafting talented character players.

After 11 wins over the last three seasons, Raiders players are tired of losing. They want a renaissance to start Sunday against the Bengals, and Smith gives them a chance to do that. They don’t believe he’ll create a disruptive workplace and, when Smith is going well, he gives the Raiders a better chance to win.

“Adding an All-Pro two days before Week 1 gives the whole team juice,” fullback and team captain Marcel Reece said. “It’s exciting for everybody around here. The interactions I’ve had with Aldon have been great. He’s been involved in some unfortunate things but, just like the rest of us, he wants to focus on football right now. We’ll help him in any way we can and help him become a good Raider.”

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Bochy: 'We all felt it, it was all working' for Bumgarner
Bumgarner recaps thought process during perfect game bid
A's Toe the Rubber: Felix Doubront vs Chi Chi Gonzalez
Glen & Ray: Nolin alters delivery going into first win

Giants

LIVE: Padres vs Giants
Giants lineup: Again, no changes behind Leake vs Padres
WATCH: Giants' Bumgarner tosses one-hitter vs Padres
Rewind: Giants feel Bumgarner's no-hitter is 'matter of time'
Read More

Athletics

LIVE: A's vs Rangers
A's lineup: Smolinski in left, Blair catching vs Rangers
A's Toe the Rubber: Felix Doubront vs Chi Chi Gonzalez
Rewind: Dull comes out sharp once again in A's victory
Read More

Sharks

Sharks sign second-round pick D Jeremy Roy
Donskoi looks poised to challenge for Sharks roster spot
Sharks outlook: Time to give Couture a letter
Nabokov officially re-joins Sharks in coach/scouting role
Read More

49ers

Tomsula debuts vs team that looked at him for head coach job
Crabtree: 49ers made offer, needed QB 'that can deliver the ball'
Week 1: Top 10 Vikings, 49ers to watch
49ers injury report: Brock probable for opener vs Vikings
Read More

Raiders

Helu inactive, Smith ready to play for Raiders vs Bengals
Young Raiders CBs face huge test vs. Bengals' WR Green
New Raiders edge rusher Aldon Smith will play vs Bengals
Raiders 'not worried' about Aldon Smith being a distraction
Read More

Warriors

Hall of Famer, 76ers legend Moses Malone dies at 60 years old
Lakers expect Kobe Bryant to be ready for camp
Draymond's donation to MSU largest ever from former student-athlete
Seth rejected Warriors, didn’t want to be 'in Steph's shadow'
Read More

NCAA

Ray Ratto's Top 25: Harbaugh's play card day-to-day
Hogan bounces back, leads Stanford past Central Florida
San Jose State routed by Air Force, falls to 1-1
Goff throws three TDs as Cal stomps San Diego State
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: Padres vs Giants
CSN Bay Area staff

GIANTS VIDEO

Bochy: 'We all felt it, it was all working' for Bumgarner
Bochy: 'We all felt it, it was all working' for Bumgarner
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Giants feel Bumgarner's no-hitter is 'matter of time'
  • Instant Replay: Bumgarner nearly perfect in Giants' win
  • Giants notes: Duffy gives Giants another iron man
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: A's vs Rangers
CSN Bay Area staff

A's VIDEO

A's Toe the Rubber: Felix Doubront vs Chi Chi Gonzalez
A's Toe the Rubber: Felix Doubront vs Chi Chi Gonzalez
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • Rewind: Dull comes out sharp once again in A's victory
  • Rewind: Avoiding history was perfect ending for A's
  • Instant Replay: A's avoid no-hitter by Lewis, fall to Rangers
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks sign second-round pick D Jeremy Roy
CSN Bay Area staff

SHARKS VIDEO

Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Hall of Famer, 76ers legend Moses Malone dies at 60 years old
CSNPhilly.com

WARRIORS VIDEO

But Seriously: How will move to SF impact Warriors' revenue?
But Seriously: How will move to SF impact Warriors' revenue?
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Kerr: Warriors winning title in '15 'sets us free a little bit'
  • Kerr: Changes to playoff seeding format 'right thing to do'
  • Warriors 'not changing course,' arena plan gets boost from title
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Report: Kings will bring back big man Eric Moreland
(1)
ProBasketballTalk

Kings Video

Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
See more >

More Stories

Report: Kings among teams interested in C Hollins
(1)
Report: Kings sign former NCAA star Marshall Henderson
(2)
See more >
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Tomsula debuts vs team that looked at him for head coach job
(5)
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

Tomsula reveals trait that defined last week of 49ers practice
Tomsula reveals trait that defined last week of 49ers practice
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Tomsula debuts vs team that looked at him for head coach job
  • Week 1: Top 10 Vikings, 49ers to watch
  • 49ers injury report: Brock probable for opener vs Vikings
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Helu inactive, Smith ready to play for Raiders vs Bengals
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Bair & Maiocco: Aldon to play Sunday; when will NFL step in?
Bair & Maiocco: Aldon to play Sunday; when will NFL step in?
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Martins salvages 1-1 draw for Sounders at Quakes
Associated Press

Quakes Video

But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: Dull comes out sharp once again in A's victory
(1)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Rewind: Giants feel Bumgarner's no-hitter is 'matter of time'
(5)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Tomsula debuts vs team that looked at him for head coach job
(5)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Helu inactive, Smith ready to play for Raiders vs Bengals
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Kerr: Warriors winning title in '15 'sets us free a little bit'
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Donskoi looks poised to challenge for Sharks roster spot
See more >

RAY RATTO

Ray Ratto's Top 25: Harbaugh's play card day-to-day

ENTER TO WIN SHARKS TICKETS!

tix

Enter here for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Predators vs Sharks game on 10/28!

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

ENTER TO WIN A TRIP TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO!

nbc

Click here and enter to win a trip to Universal Orlando, presented by Bookit.com!

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Bochy: 'We all felt it, it was all working' for Bumgarner
Bochy: 'We all felt it, it was all working' for Bumgarner
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California