Sep 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Aldon Smith (99) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL is expected to crack down hard on Aldon Smith in the not-too-distant future.
Until then, the troubled linebacker will try to start a new life on a brand new team. He notched two tackles and a quarterback hit in last weekend's loss to the Bengals.
"I'm taking it like this: day-by-day," Smith told the San Jose Mercury News' Jimmy Durkin. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm going to learn from what happened today, see what I can do better."
Smith can focus all he likes -- he won't escape his off-the-field reputation. The irony of his latest legal woes -- a misdemeanor DUI charge that came down on the same day he became a Raider -- is lost on no one.
The Raiders thought a potential pairing with Khalil Mack was too good to pass up. So Smith says he took a lesser offer play for the other Bay Area team, reunite with friend and mentor Justin Tuck, and press restart on a turbulent career.
"I have a house here," Smith said. "I have a son here. This is my home. I really love the Bay Area. Everything happens for a reason. That's how I look at it."
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.