Raiders Ink Aldon Smith

Plenty of street free agents will be signed between now and the next two weeks.  One of those that we didn’t plan on seeing inked was former San Francisco 49ers defensive end Aldon Smith, who agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the deal can be worth up to $8 million if Smith can meet his incentives.

Aldon Smith’s deal with #Raiders is for 1 year that can be worth up to $8M. $1M base, $5M in 53-man roster bonuses, $2M in sack incentives

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2015

“Aldon is an extremely talented young player,” said Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio. “We welcome him to the Raiders family and expect him to bring his best every day and be a great teammate.”

Smith often brings his best on the field, but off of it he’s been an abject disaster.  The 49ers, who currently harbor an accused rapist on their roster were forced to part ways with him after his fifth arrest in the last three years.

“We are confident that the Raiders provide an environment where Aldon can thrive through the support, structure and leadership within the building,” general manager Reggie McKenzie said. “We are excited to have Aldon here in the Raiders family.”

When a player is as talented as Smith and plays a premium position, teams will line up to offer their “leadership.”  The Raiders, along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars all explored bringing in the troubled pass rusher.  Ultimately, Smith’s home is in the Bay Area and he decided to stay home.

Smith will bring the Raiders a great pass rushing presence, assuming he can stay on the football field.  He’s still not quite out of the woods with his legal issues as he’s being charged with three misdemeanors from his latest incident in August.

#Breaking– Santa Clara County DA files 3 misdemeanor charges against #AldonSmith.
DUI w/prior, hit & run w/property damage & vandalism.

— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) September 11, 2015

Smith isn’t supposed to be arraigned until October 6th, but there’s truly no telling what Roger Goodell will do in terms of any “Conduct Detrimental to the League” suspension.

Eli and A.J. Get Paid

The New York Giants have locked up two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning for four years for a reported $84 million.  The deal reportedly has $65 million worth a guaranteed money and a no-trade clause.

Final numbers on Eli Manning-Giants deal: 4-year, $84 million extension that includes $65 million in guaranteed money. 5-yr total: $101.5M.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 11, 2015

However you feel about Eli Manning, he’s better than anything that the Giants can replace him with and he’s proven that he can win the big one.

It’s not about anyone “deserving” big money.  If you’re a starting caliber quarterback you’ll get around $20 million per year.

With superstar wide receivers Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and Julio Jones already signing lucrative contract extensions this offseason, it was finally A.J. Green’s turn to get paid.

Green’s deal is reportedly worth $60 million over four years.

AJ Green will make $32M in the first six months, assuming he’s on the active roster. Per @ProFootballTalk, Green gets $35.95M over 2 years

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2015

“This is great news as we head to play the Raiders,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “Everyone in football, and people who follow football, know that A.J. is a special talent. He makes plays that you wouldn’t think could be made. He’s an outstanding teammate and a leader you can rely on. He still has a long, great future ahead of him in Cincinnati.”

Green, selected fourth-overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, along with Julio Jones (selected sixth-overall in 2012), have ushered in a different kind of big play wide receiver.  The non-divas.  They simply make plays without causing distractions or chest-pounding, and they’ve been rewarded as such.

“Everyone knows I just want to play football,” Green said. “Playing in Cincinnati has been great for me and I want to stay here. So getting this done is great. I’ve still got tons I want to accomplish in the NFL.”

We are in the golden age of the wide receiver and Green has made his quarterback, Andy Dalton better.  Dalton is an average talent at best and the former first-round pick from Georgia has catapulted him into four consecutive playoff appearances.

“A.J. makes all of us better,’ Dalton confirmed. “As a quarterback, you can put up a contested ball for him that you might not put up for everybody. We’re focused right now on 2015, but this is great to know for the long run.”

Part of Eli Manning’s new contract is directly related to the production of Odell Beckham, Jr. and the hopes of what the pair can do moving forward.  Dalton owes about 70 percent of his salary to Green, because without him he’s not a starting quarterback in the NFL.

RG3 Cleared For Clipboard

In one of the most confusing concussion stories in recent history, it appears that Washington Redskins former first round pick Robert Griffin, III has been finally cleared to play football.

Allen says Robert Griffin III has been cleared to play. Said they got the clearance last night from the doctors. #Redskins

— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) September 11, 2015

As far as what Griffin’s role will be on Sunday, that’s up in the air.  Last week, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden named Kirk Cousins his stating quarterback going forward when he said, “It’s Kirk’s team.”

When asked about who his No. 2 was, Gruden wouldn’t commit to either long-term, but eluded to the fact that it would be McCoy, at least while RG3 was hurt.

“He is right now,” Gruden said Thursday. “Obviously but we don’t have to announce the backups, the 53-man roster, the 46-man roster until really Sunday afternoon at 12 o’clock, so we’ll just wait and see.”

It’s highly unlikely that Griffin will see the field anytime soon.  If he does and he gets injured, the ‘Skins are on the hook for $16 million worth of salary next season, assuming he can’t play.  With his injury history that’s likely a chance that Gruden and the rest of the organization is not willing to take.

On top of being an injury risk, what if RG3 plays well?

If he outplays Cousins, that completely undermines the head coach and he pretty much writes his own pink slip.