GM McKenzie: Aldon Smith remains in Raiders' plans

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Editor's note: Matt Maiocco is in Florida for the NFL owners meetings. Watch SportsNet Central tonight at 8 & 10:30pm for comprehensive coverage.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Outside linebacker Aldon Smith, currently unsigned as an unrestricted free agent, remains solidly in the Raiders’ plan after his scheduled completion of a one-year suspension.

General manager Reggie McKenzie said he is in no rush to re-sign Smith, 26, as the Raiders want to be certain the talented pass-rusher is making the correct decisions off the field.

“The conversations have been good,” McKenzie told CSNBayArea.com on Monday at the NFL owners meetings. “Really, it’s encouraging him as a person to continue to get his life right. And if you’re going to commit to this thing, you have to go through some steps. And that’s what he’s going through right now.”

Smith is eligible to be reinstated off the NFL’s reserve/suspended list in mid-November after he was suspended for a full year due to violating the league’s policy on substances of abuse. Teams are allowed to sign him even while he is under league suspension.

While a member of the 49ers, Smith was suspended for nine games for violations of the league’s policies on substances of abuse and personal conduct to open the 2014 season.

The 49ers released Smith on Aug. 7 after his fifth run-in with the law since the 49ers selected him in the first round of the 2011 draft. The Raiders signed him to a one-year contract on Sept. 11.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office filed charges against Smith of DUI with a prior conviction and refusal to submit to a chemical test; hit and run with property damage; and vandalism under $400.

Smith recorded 44 sacks in 50 games with the 49ers. He recorded 3.5 sacks in nine games with the Raiders before his season ended due to the suspension.

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