Raiders cornerback Smith says he understands being benched (Yahoo Sports)

Deciding to go for a game-winning two-point conversion in the final minute might not have been the boldest move Raiders coach Jack Del Rio made in Sunday's season-opening win over the New Orleans Saints. Benching $38 million cornerback Sean Smith midway through the third quarter and sitting him for the remainder of the afternoon clearly stood out and raised eyebrows in Oakland's locker room as well as around the NFL. Smith was one of the marquee offseason additions made by general manager Reggie McKenzie yet Del Rio didn't hesitate to pull Smith after he failed to get a hand on Saints wideout Brandin Cooks and was beaten for a 98-yard touchdown.