Going into Week 1, linebacker Aldon Smith was still looking for a place to play after years of being a player that every team wished they had as a star on the San Francisco 49ers. That was before problems off of the field finally forced him out of Santa Clara during the offseason, and into the hands of the Oakland Raiders in a move that changed the fortunes of Smith as well as his new team as both have hit the ground running ever since.
Reportedly signing for less money to come to what he felt as the right fit in Oakland, Smith has been playing well for the Raiders as the perfect duo opposite Khalil Mack as an outside pass rusher in helping the team start with a 3-3 record that has created hopes of a Wild Card race.