ALAMEDA – Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio called Aldon Smith’s yearlong suspension “yesterday’s news.” That’s a phrase designed to get his team focused preparing Wednesday for Sunday’s upcoming game at the Detroit Lions.
It was also the first time he commented on a significant, lasting blow to his defense and a major development in the NFL. He knew the questions were coming. Losing Smith for the rest of the year puts a damper on an already struggling defense and, from a football perspective, the absence is more important that the reason why.
“It’s a little bit like a player getting injured,” Del Rio said.