Free agent Aldon Smith could be a big boost to Bengals’ pass rush

Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesAldon Smith has an extremely troubled past.

Aldon Smith is an extremely talented pass rusher.

It’s the classic dilemma for NFL teams: how do you balance feigning morality with putting the best product on the field? Do you take the low-risk financial investment even if it’s a high-risk PR investment?

When these kinds of moves work out, meaning, the player thrives and the team takes a step forward, everyone seems to forget about his past. When they don’t, the GM just ends up looking desperate.

Smith poses a big challenge for teams. He missed four complete seasons due to a hit-and-run and a domestic violence charge. He also missed 9 games in 2014 for violating…