by Jeremy Kahn

photo credit SB Nation (Aldon Smith)

ALAMEDA–The big question now goes to Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie and did he do his homework in acquiring former San Francisco 49er offensive linebacker Aldon Smith in a one year deal. Smith who has three DUIs and was arrested and later but was not charged among other legal problems for saying he had a bomb to TSA officers at the Los Angeles Airport in April 2014. Immediately after it was announced that Smith was a Raider questions from the media basically asked “do the Raiders know what their getting into?” The Raiders said that Smith is available to see action as soon as this Sunday against Cincinnati.

Smith was released from the 49ers on August for hit and run vandalism at the time of the inquiry by the media outside of the San Jose Police station he said he was not DUI and “that the truth would come out.” In 50 games and 30 starts for San Francisco Smith put up some impressive numbers with 44 sacks with 19.5 sacks he went to the Pro Bowl in 2012.

Smith has not been suspended by the NFL for the August charge but he was suspended for nine games in 2014, Smith who made his home in San Jose during his time with the 49ers and was considered being picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Bucaneers, or St.Louis Rams but decided on playing with Oakland.

Opening day on Sunday with the Cincinnati Bengals at the Coliseum: The season is finally here as things get started on Sunday, practice is going well for the Raiders so far as they get ready for Cincinnati on Sunday. Also as far as Raider fullback Marcel Reece is concerned the Raiders expect a lot out of him this season blocking for Latavius Murray. Reece can go out there and stop somebody with his skills this Sunday.

The Bengals great wide receiver AJ Green is somebody that the Raiders will have to contain, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton wants to execute his game plan against the Raiders and their front four for this Sunday. Now with the addition of Smith from the 49ers it’s going to be huge. In addition to Smith with a combination of Kahlil Mack and Justin Tuck it’s going to be phenomenal. Also don’t forget 18 year veteran Charles Woodson.

The four captains selected for this season for the Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, defensive end Justin Tuck, safety Charles Woodson and Reece. The captaincy is a big thing with the Raiders and those four are four good names to be named co-captains. Woodson, Tuck, Reece and Carr are very good players and are the faces of the Raiders organization.

Jeremy Kahn is an Oakland Raiders beat reporter and can be heard right here in his weekly podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com