Getty ImagesThe good news is that Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith finally has gotten his answer. The bad news is that he and plenty of Raiders fans won’t like it.
Per a league source, the NFL has decided not to reinstate Smith for the remainder of the 2016 season. Instead, his case will be revisited on March 15, 2017.
Smith was permanently banished from the NFL in November 15, with the ability to be reinstated after one year. He applied for reinstatement in early October. At one point, it was argued that the Commissioner has only 60 days to make a decision; that position was proven to be incorrect based on the strict language of the substance-abuse policy and, ultimately, the fact that a decision wasn’t made within 60 days.
Smith’s status had become an afterthought for a Raiders team reeling from the broken leg suffered by quarterback Derek Carr on Christmas Eve. If the Raiders are going to make it back to the Super Bowl, they’ll be doing it without Carr or Smith.
There goes Happy Hour
Randy Gregory yes, Aldon Smith no. This is a lame duck commish just like our lame duck president. I can’t wait until both ride off into the sunset.
I didn’t expect him back this year, but the league really needs to quit letting guys twist in the wind. If the suspension is up, then let them play, and if they get in trouble again then make the suspension longer, but with a known period of time.
He did screw up, served his suspension, and go to rehab…. but yet another player kills someone, serves a year in jail still gets reinstated…LOL. Goodell is a joke!
Get it done McGloin…. RAIDER NATION BABY!
But Tyreke Hill and Michael Floyd can play. Hypocrisy and lack of due process.
I don’t feel much bad for Smith, but Goodell really is an absolute turd of a commissioner.
F the NFL, this is BS
How many other people have let back in ? for worse
Leave him out a year, fine but then leave him hanging and now leave him hanging again. If the NFL wanted him out for the rest of the season they should have said so. They could have just said you could come back next year but this is BS. I am not saying that he did not have his chances but leading him on like this is bs. The NFL has rapists , drug addicts and spousal abusers but a man that has a problem with alcohol is bad news. smh
So they revisit this in march and then dont make a decision until 2018
NFL is wrong
F Roger Goodell
As usual the League Office uses differing rules of discipline for teams they don’t like. It’s easy to see that the legacy of Al Davis is still affecting the fortunes of the Raiders. I wouldn’t be surprised if their ouster from the playoffs was facilitated by the front office in some way.
Not sure if this will make it past the censors but Leonard Little actually killed a woman and yet was suspended a total of only 8 games near the beginning of his 12 year NFL career which means that he continued to play under both Tagliabue and Goodell.
And yet Aldon Smith who has not physically harmed another person has been suspended for 25+ games so far with the threat of never playing again. Another example of the league’s warped logic.
I didn’t hear such weeping and gnashing of teeth when Brady was getting screwed. Told you your team could be next.
Good, keep the trash out. There is already enough garbage in the league. The league has been far too forgiving in the past. Stallworth and Little should have been banished. I get why some might be upset by this punishment, but there needs to be a hard line. This man has repeatedly failed. It is not a right to play in the NFL. I know that is hard for some of you out there to understand.
The part of this that is wrong is that they dont have a clear set punishment. Tell him either way what you are going to do. Is anyone going to say Goodell didnt know what he was going to do last month? He just keeps dragging it out when he should have just told him what he was going to do when the year was up.
“Another example of the league’s warped logic.”
Trying to make a linear comparison between 1998 and 2016 doesn’t make a whole lot of sense either.
We all know the league’s actions and inaction on player conduct has changed over the years.
I didn’t hear such weeping and gnashing of teeth when Brady was getting screwed. Told you your team could be next.
um brady was given 4 games, not oh well talk about this in a year and then be told that they hadnt made a decision yet.
This one’s on Aldon. While on suspension, dude posts a video smoking weed online – lol – and then tries to lie and say it wasn’t him? Oh man. Not the brightest light on the block. Good news is he went back to rehab and is doing well now. If he can stay out of trouble (and offline) he’ll be back next year for the *real* Super Bowl run.
Go RAIDERS!
Godell is a total idiot. You can’t treat people this way and ever expect respect from the majority. He needs adderall , he is all over the place with decisions. He has no idea how to invoke order or fairness. This guy makes Trump look good.
There needs to be an outside third party to deliver discipline and fairness for all across the league, without his interference. Godell is bad for business and he is part of why ratings are down, the fun is being removed from the game. Godell is a total joke.
Smiths made his fai shar of mistakes but Goodells a turd..Hes had his case a year….
$5 says he would have been reinstated if the Raiders were 3-12 or 4-11. That said, this is why you don’t let your career hang at the mercy of Goodell.
Where is the NFLPA on this? They defended a man they KNEW cheated but yet they’ve been silent on Aldon’s case? Sounds like Aldon might have a lawsuit for each of them!
Smith was permanently banished from the NFL in November 15, with the ability to be reinstated after one year.
He didn’t really help his case to be reinstated by posting they video of him smoking weed…while he was suspended.
It would be nice to hear why they are doing this, otherwise it just seems arbitrary.
He made his own bed so he should lie in it. Having said that, Herr Goodell is a turd. If he was at least consistent with suspensions and other discipline I’d have a little respect for him.
I find myself agreeing with those who feel this is more about Al Davis than Aldon Smith.
He should have been reinstated.
Here’s the difference of playing for the cowboys and playing for the Raiders.
Jerrah can afford to pad goodell’s wallet, Mark Davis can’t.
Now we’ll see if Aldon is used as a pawn in the Raiders to Vegas issue.
.
Double secret probation for life
.
In the “real” world, Smith would have been fired for all his actions, with no hope of ever returning. Now people are trashing the “boss” for acting like any boss in the world would have acted.
Smith has already had many chances and deserves to have been banned from the league by now. But there is zero consistency in how these guys are treated, and therein lies the problem. Harsh or lenient, the league needs to be consistent in how they deal with these cases. The Raiders have a legit gripe here.
Thats messed up. Sometimes I really hate this league and this tyrant commissioner. More than a year without income??? Totally messed up.
New flash, there is not right to work law applicable to the NFL. This is further narrowed by the NFL. As for the League having a vendetta against Al Davis and the Raiders, you are damn right they do! Al Davis sued the League constantly over mostly petty issues. He never saw the big picture, it was only about him. His lawsuits cost the League and the Owners a lot of money and the Owners have very long memories. The Davis name is still despised and loathed amongst owners.
As for Aldon, maybe if he wasnt a chronic addict/liar, with past priors, all the past second chances he has burned, and a need to rub it in the face of the NFL with his charming videos, maybe they would play nice. I doubt it. Hey Aldon, BK is hiring. Free food to take home after your shift. Think about man!
Smith was permanently banished from the NFL in November 15, with the ability to be reinstated after one year.
Some of you really need to read this again. Crying that there’s no “set punishment” – there is.
He has the ability – NOT a requirement to be reinstated in a year.
He’s been banished for life UNLESS the league decides to take him back. Seems like if you don’t want that – don’t be a multiple offender. Pretty simple. There’s no guarantee at coming back – should be no expectation then either.
LSUStrong says:
Dec 30, 2016 1:35 PM
As usual the League Office uses differing rules of discipline for teams they don’t like. It’s easy to see that the legacy of Al Davis is still affecting the fortunes of the Raiders. I wouldn’t be surprised if their ouster from the playoffs was facilitated by the front office in some way.
_________________
LSUStrong,
Goodell tried giving Rice 2 games for knocking out his fiancee. He only changed his mind when the rest of us saw the video too.
Mara made a backroom deal to cover Josh Brown’s abuse (which we now know he had all about) and suspend him only a single game instead of the mandatory 6.
The Colts got no punishment for using deflated footballs during the AFCCG. NE lost $1M, 2 draft picks. Brady lost 4 games.
I’m not a huge fan of Goddell at all but we have no idea how Aldon Smith’s meetings with him have gone. Smith could have been un-remorseful and ignorant about the trouble he’s been in and how much of a privilege it is to play in the NFL. His history of bad choices and bad attitude certainly don’t bode well.
Goodell goes out of his way to screw the Pats/Brady and you all cheer him as being such a great commish. He screws your team/player and you hate him. Personally I think it’s awesome that Smith is getting poked this year. Now raiders fans will join patriots fans, saints fans, cowboys fans and redskins fans in hating the commish for playing favorites…
I’m a raiders fan but I blame Aldon for this. He’s the one who messed up yet again. Happy for him to join next year but I can see another ban happening at some point.
Not a surprise.
I thought for sure the league would also fast track Michael Floyd’s punishment to get him off the field for NE and try to influence who wins what.
Justin Smith MADE this Aldon boy! He isn’t nuthin without him! Book it! It’s already been proven!!
and mike vick tortured animals but was let back in
this is a disgrace
let us not forget that Talib shot himself, and figuratively walked with no league penalty.
it is not who you are, it is what team in your divsion does Roger like more.
Aldon needs to chill, keep in shape and get mentally grounded.
And yes, the NFL front office is biased against the Raiders going back to the AFL days.
If nothing else, this dubious response by Roger Goodell likely shuts down any possibility that Mark Davis turns his back on Las Vegas.
Talib fires a gun in a public place in a city where it is against the law to even have a gun in a bar like the one he was in and he got what from the League?
Anyone….?
All you lawyers are coming out of the woodwork all MG with the holier than thou crowd. 2016, do your thing.
Talib fires a gun in a public place in a city where it is against the law to even have a gun in a bar like the one he was in and he got what from the League?
Anyone….?
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No laws were broken. Sorry. You may go now!
And if Aldon was a NY Giant, he’d have been reinstated back in September…
Broken Shield – Integrity Compromised… thx Roger…
chippys lost binky says:
Dec 30, 2016 2:15 PM
Different when the capricious nature of der Kommi$$ioner ‘s decisions impacts one of your own eh?
carry on
BFD!!! Oakland had by far the best season anyone could have predicted this YEAR!!!!! They also did it with out Aldon. NFL is scared of THE AUTUMN WIND ONCE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ishavedbradyslegs says:
Dec 30, 2016 3:02 PM
Sorry. You may go now!
===================
Actually unlike your team many of us will be here for the playoffs
NFL CORRUPTION PLAIN, AND SIMPLE!
TO BAD THERE ISN’T A ANOTHER LEAGUE TO PLAY IN RIGHT NOW!
LOVE THE RAIDERS, HATE THE NFL!
Aldon, sue the National Corrupt League!!!!!!
Isn’t weed legal
Just so all the outraged people remember about Aldon Smith’s past incidents:
– 3 DUIs
– Hit n Run
– Yelling about a bomb in an airport
– 3 felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon
– Vandalism
it is amazing how people want to blame goodell for this. aldon screwed up not once not twice not three times but at least four times. the 49er just kept giving him more rope. now the raiders fans think that he should be able to just walk back in??? to listen to a few of you on here, you would think that aldon smith was the only thing going on all year. several of you said that goodell had a whole year to think about it. guess what, there were far more important things to think about than an suspended player. I’m sure that they didn’t even think his name until aldon applied for reinstatement. maybe next year, maybe he will act responsibly but then again, maybe not
So like where’s the lawsuit??? Certainly the Raiders with its long standing rep of suing the NFL over anything and everything would already be at the court house by now?? What up Nation??
Newsflash, there is no lawsuit because there are no grounds to bring one. There is no right to work in the NFL, particularly for this 3 time loser!! What do you not understand about this???
Maybe you should call Brady and he will give you the fine points on throwing a professional tantrum. He’s the best at it.
while im willing to overlook his passed disgressions when it comes to minor dui offences stemming from the use of legal substances such as alcohol, i simply can not forgive him for smoking the devils lettuce. its absolutely discusting and sets a terrible president for our children that this guy could even be considered for re-enstatement. im so thankful we have roger as our commish, wed be lossed with him!
Good — None of these drug users should ever play in the NFL again. The same for PED users.
I don’t agree with Goodell on much, but I agree wholeheartedly that drug users need to be thrown out of the league. The only difference is I want them gone after their first incident, and I want them gone forever.
There is no excuse for them breaking the rules or laws, none. I am sick and tired of this crap and the whiny people who make excuses for them. They should be held to the same standards the rest of us in the real world are held to. In my job, if I get caught doing drugs, I will be looking for a new job. So should these spoiled athletes.
Aldon Smith is an idiot and he has no one to blame but himself for this. It’s not Roger Goodell, it’s him.
willycents says:
Dec 30, 2016 2:20 PM
In the “real” world, Smith would have been fired for all his actions, with no hope of ever returning. Now people are trashing the “boss” for acting like any boss in the world would have acted.
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I have no problem at all with Smith never playing again, I have said here many times that I didn’t want the Raiders taking him back.
Having said that, the NFL should NOT pick and choose who gets to come back based on what team the player in question plays for, it should be a clear policy.
Screw the NFL, the Raiders are on their own just like they’ve always been.
Aldon Smith is another one of those talented guys that a lot of teams removed from their draft boards. The 49ers didn’t, and they enjoyed some good years out of him. Now it’s become obvious to everyone that this kid has some serious problems. A lot of the scouts from those other teams are feeling justified for their pre-draft evaluations. I know he’s getting help. and that’s good, but the NFL has to make the right call with this guy. I thank the NFL and their great leadership for stepping in and protecting everyone in the community, including my wife and kids. If this guy gets drunk and goes out and kills somebody while he’s on the active roster, the NFL will be up to their ears in lawsuits because they should have known better. Well, they do know better.
realtruthteller100-
I’m picking up on your sarcasm.
joetoronto says:
Dec 30, 2016 4:35 PM
Having said that, the NFL should NOT pick and choose who gets to come back based on what team the player in question plays for, it should be a clear policy.
Screw the NFL, the Raiders are on their own just like they’ve always been.
LOL! Cry much?
This man had prior suspensions and learned nothing from them. That video of him smoking weed ,which should be legal in sports but is not ,and talking like he would not get caught on the video he made public.
He did all this to himself ……but Goodelll is an idiot still and heard he is a 2020 candidate for president …..
I guess that Aldon didn’t get lucky when Roger Dodger threw his dart at the “NFL League Discipline Dartboard”
Smith earned this. Everyone expects him crash and burn. Only himself to blame
Obama just reinstated him, then imposed a 30% import tax on Russian vodka…
Do people still think that’s Smith in the video?
Do you believe that was an actual alien in alien autopsy?
Sue Aldon, what do you have to lose at this point.
jjfootball says:
Dec 30, 2016 3:35 PM
Aldon, sue the National Corrupt League!!!!!!
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Hey look, somebody figured out how to use their caps lock.
Good for you!
Thats messed up. Sometimes I really hate this league and this tyrant commissioner. More than a year without income??? Totally messed up.
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So Raideresque! Smith has no one to blame but himself for not having an NFL paycheck! Tell you what, why dont you give him some of yours since you feel so passionately about it. You guys can become the Doobie Brothers!
rowech44 says:
Dec 30, 2016 3:06 PM
And if Aldon was a NY Giant, he’d have been reinstated back in September…
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No doubt.
Speaking in general and not specifically about Aldon’s case, if NFL truly cared for the welfare of it’s players it would not ban those suspended for alcohol, drug transgressions from having any contact with their teams. Seems that’s when players could use the most support from teams and the league.
I don’t know why so many of you brilliant scholars continue to write to PFT about your complaints against Roger Goodell. Why don’t you write to the NFL owners and convince them you could do better. I think it pays about $35 million a year.
All done has nobody to blame other than himself! I don’t want him on this team, let him sign with the Ravens or Vikings. If he does he may get a statue some day!
tonebones says:
Dec 30, 2016 4:38 PM
Aldon Smith is another one of those talented guys that a lot of teams removed from their draft boards. The 49ers didn’t, and they enjoyed some good years out of him. Now it’s become obvious to everyone that this kid has some serious problems. A lot of the scouts from those other teams are feeling justified for their pre-draft evaluations. I know he’s getting help. and that’s good, but the NFL has to make the right call with this guy. I thank the NFL and their great leadership for stepping in and protecting everyone in the community, including my wife and kids. If this guy gets drunk and goes out and kills somebody while he’s on the active roster, the NFL will be up to their ears in lawsuits because they should have known better. Well, they do know better.
__________________
That’s already happened and they got to play and were suspended for less time, no lawsuits happened against the NFL.
skiski7 says:
Dec 30, 2016 1:30 PM
Randy Gregory yes, Aldon Smith no. This is a lame duck commish just like our lame duck president. I can’t wait until both ride off into the sunset.
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Any Trump voter is a supporter of Russia, who hijacked the election by hacking the Democratic party. Nixon was impeached for doing what Russia did. Now Trump wants to give Russia a pass. And you’re for that!? Understood.
Goodell is a clown and a puppet of certain owners. Given that teams like the Giants, Steelers and Cowboys are in the thick of it and Roger has a lot of kissing up to do to Kraft, there’s no question he’s not going to help out a threatening team that’s not on his VIP list.
No transparency. No consistency. No professionalism. That’s the NFL under Goodell.
And he wonders why he gets booed by NFL fans everywhere.
As a Raider fan, I don’t think Smith would have had much of an impact at this late stage of the season. My problem is when you suspend someone the time should be set and if they screw up when suspended the league should announce why they aren’t re-instating the player. Smith making that video was a bone headed move on his part that probably kept him from getting re-instated. You can’t fix stupid…..
autumnwind999 says:
Dec 30, 2016 7:26 PM
Goodell is a clown and a puppet of certain owners. Given that teams like the Giants, Steelers and Cowboys are in the thick of it and Roger has a lot of kissing up to do to Kraft, there’s no question he’s not going to help out a threatening team that’s not on his VIP list….
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Agreed on the main points, but i would venture a strong guess to say he has lost Kraft for good – it was the measured price Roger was willing to pay when Kensil/Grigson brought the whole “small ball” fiasco to him and dropped it on his desk like they had just discovered who stole the Lindbergh baby… By then, it was too late – the train was rolling, and he saw more to gain by destroying his relationship w/Kraft and siding with a majority of owners who at the root of it were envious of Pats success – and probably all didn’t really deep down care for Kraft… Mara, McNair, Woody Johnson, Rooney, Jerrah Jones, etc all had something to say and Roger the Dodger played it without an ounce of integrity and let the FrameGate commenct… I’m pretty certain Kraft has no use for him these days, and is just biting his lip while Roger buries himself….
The “shoulda,woulda,coulda” fan base has spoken…..
How does this make sense?
Goodell makes up the rules as he goes along? Or there is concrete information regarding Aldon?
Either way, Goodell looks clueless …..
again.
All Done Smith!
I guess a life time ban means a life time ban Aldon. Good luck dumb ass
Dec 30, 2016 7:24 PM
skiski7 says:
Dec 30, 2016 1:30 PM
Randy Gregory yes, Aldon Smith no. This is a lame duck commish just like our lame duck president. I can’t wait until both ride off into the sunset.
———
Any Trump voter is a supporter of Russia, who hijacked the election by hacking the Democratic party. Nixon was impeached for doing what Russia did. Now Trump wants to give Russia a pass. And you’re for that!? Understood.
________________________________________
Supporting Russia is better than supporting Hellary!
I hate the Raiders and all, but Geez they’re getting screwed here
LSUStrong says:
Dec 30, 2016 1:35 PM
As usual the League Office uses differing rules of discipline for teams they don’t like. It’s easy to see that the legacy of Al Davis is still affecting the fortunes of the Raiders. I wouldn’t be surprised if their ouster from the playoffs was facilitated by the front office in some way.
_________________
LSUStrong,
Goodell tried giving Rice 2 games for knocking out his fiancee. He only changed his mind when the rest of us saw the video too.
Mara made a backroom deal to cover Josh Brown’s abuse (which we now know he had all about) and suspend him only a single game instead of the mandatory 6.
The Colts got no punishment for using deflated footballs during the AFCCG. NE lost $1M, 2 draft picks. Brady lost 4 games.
================================
Just my point. Don’t forget the light judgement for the Jets tampering while the Chiefs lose two draft picks.
Now that I think about it it seems that, except for the Jets, the League tends to be harder on the expansion teams. I would say the old AFL teams but that leaves out the Saints. And we all know why the Jets are excluded.