New York Giants: Should they sign Aldon Smith?

According to Jordan Schultz of The Huffington Post, the New York Giants are showing some interest in recently released linebacker Aldon Smith.

The talented, but troubled sack artist has had a history of bad decisions, but he’s — when focused — still one of the most talented rushers in the league.

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Smith’s latest incident came when he was arrested by Santa Clara police for a hit and run, DUI and vandalism, according to Janine De la Vegas of KTVU. It wasn’t the first time Smith ran into problems with the law, and his poor decisions in the past contributed to the 49ers reworking his contract earlier this offseason so they could essentially cut him any time without a real financial penalty. t

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Yes, Smith has a troubled past, but he could prove to be too talented of a player to completely rule out based on character issues.

Signing Smith would certainly be a very un-Giants move, but it would give the Giants a truly dynamic pass-rushing force. The team desperately needs one now more than ever with Jason Pierre-Paul‘s status up in the air.

JPP has yet to report to training camp, and the Giants defense is lacking a big-name player. Despite lacking a star, the unit is relatively deep. Smith would undoubtedly make the corps immensely better.

“Smith could theoretically be a better version of the player whom the Giants expected Jacquian Williams to become.”

When he’s on, he’s ferocious, relentless and almost impossible to stop. He’s an incredibly gifted athlete who combines technique with speed off the edge to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. He’s truly a difference maker when he’s on the field.

The problem is Smith hasn’t really been ‘on’ since 2012 when he recorded 19.5 sacks. Since then, his highly publicized off-field issues have consumed his career, so it’s tough to imagine how he would fare in the Big Apple.

He’s in the same class as the Von Millers and the Justin Houstons of the league, he just needs to get his head on straight.

Playing under the tutelage of defensive mastermind Steve Spagnuolo would likely help Smith as well. The Giants defenses of 2007 and 2008 featured a prominent group of pass rushers, and Smith could be the best one Spagnuolo’s ever had.

Smith, who played outside linebacker in San Francisco, could possibly put his hand in the dirt more frequently and make the transition to a 4-3 defensive end. Adding Smith to the mix would give the Giants a great chance of creating pressure only rushing four-down linemen.

The Giants could also use the athletic Smith as a hybrid, lining him up as a down rusher as well as an outside linebacker. Smith could theoretically be a better version of the player whom the Giants expected Jacquian Williams to become.

Could New York straighten Smith out, though?

The Giants are one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, and they have a good front office. The team also has a great leader on the defense in Jon Beason, and it’s possible he’s able to help Smith and take him under his wing. Beason is an impeccable leader who knows what it takes to be successful in the NFL. He has the best chance out of every one else on the Giants to straighten out Smith.

Smith is certainly going to face a suspension, so the Giants — as well as other teams — could wait to see what happens to the player who was suspended nine games last year under the league’s substance abuse policy.

The Giants have the leverage in negotiations, too. It wouldn’t be surprising to see New York nab Smith for a bargain-type of a deal. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk alluded to what a new deal for Smith might look like.

“But if someone wants to squat on his rights now, the smart move would be to insist on at least a two-year deal, since most if not all of this year could be lost to a suspension,” Florio said.

If Smith joins the Giants, the best-case scenario is likely having him around for a portion of the year. Signing him to a two-year deal would be a smart idea, but only if they’re completely convinced his legal issues are behind him.

For the Giants to be successful this year from a defensive standpoint, they need to be able to generate pressure. Adding Smith would solve that issue, but it all depends on whether the team thinks the risk is worth the reward or not. With the emerging Devon Kennard already slated in as one of the team’s starting outside backers, it’s not illogical to think the Giants will pass on Smith. It’s certainly noteworthy that they’re considering him, though.

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