Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio comes from a defensive background and a successful one at that. In nine seasons as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, his teams finished in the top ten in total defense five times. In three years as the Denver Broncos' defensive coordinator, the team enjoyed two top five finishes. Though through four game his Oakland Raiders are surrendering the second-most yards per game (403.8) in the league, specific pieces are starting to come together.
Del Rio took a risk on the talented yet troubled defensive end Aldon Smith this offseason. Smith was released by the San Francisco 49ers last year after collecting 44.0 sacks in 50 career games and multiple run-ins with the law. Though he could be suspended at any time by the NFL for a recent DUI, Smith made Del Rio's decision to sign him look solid this weekend against the Chicago Bears as he wreaked havoc on their backfield.
"The defensive end had his best game as a Raider," ESPN Oakland Raiders reporter Bill Williamson wrote. "He was a monster against the run. His edge was off-limits. He also had his first sack as a Raider. Smith has been getting in better game shape for Oakland in the past two weeks, and it's starting to pay off on the field."
Not for a second would anyone defend the off-field choices Smith has made in recent years. But should he be able to turn his life around, he can be a vital piece of this Oakland defense.
For far too long, the Raiders have been a laughing stock in the NFL. Yet over the past few years, they have slowly but surely added foundational pieces in linebacker Khalil Mack, wide receiver Amari Cooper and quarterback Derek Carr. If Smith stays on the straight and narrow, you can add hit to that list as well.
The Raiders aren't going to be competing for a Super Bowl anytime soon. But they are far closer to competency than they have been in more than a decade, and that counts for something, right?
