Azeez Al-Shaair is no stranger to toeing the line with his play, but it could come back to bite the Houston Texans star and two-time team captain once again.
Al-Shaair noted after the loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 that both sides of the ball performed poorly for the Texans, which ain’t ever good.” He added that Houston was digging itself out of an early hole, which is never a recipe for success.”
However, Al-Shaair was on the wrong side of one critical play late in the contest.
Azeez Al-Shaair Expected to Receive Another Fine
Azeez al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans is penalized for unnecessary roughness against Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks.
The hit occurred on a third-and-11 situation in the first quarter, when he tackled a scrambling Sam Darnold along the sideline. Al-Shaair offered his perspective after the Texans’ loss, including saying that he spoke with Darnold in the aftermath.
The Texans linebacker said that officials told him initially that he “hit him on the ground.” He added that Darnold said he knew “you’re just playing football.”
Despite Al-Shaair’s protest of the call in-game, he is expected to face further consequences.
“Al-Shaair was flagged. He’ll undoubtedly be fined, again. The question is whether he will be suspended, again,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote in an article on October 21. “Monday night’s hit against Darnold was Al-Shaair’s third finable offense since returning from the suspension.
“Will his third fine in his ninth game since returning from a three-game suspension spark another one? If it’s going to happen, it’ll be happening soon.”
The Seahawks’ QB found Jaxon Smith-Njigba for an 11-yard touchdown on the following play.
Unfortunately for Al-Shaair and the Texans, his reputation likely precedes him. He has already been fined more than $400,000 in his career, including a $17,389 infraction for hitting Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward in the head in Week 4
Al-Shaair believes he plays the game correctly, but his style has proven costly to him and the Texans.
DeMeco Ryans Backs Azeez Al-Shaair
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on before facing the Seattle Seahawks.
Al-Shaair called his interactions with the officials “awkward,” noting several times that they did not “blow the whistle” to signal the play was over, and that Darnold “was a runner” at the time.
“It really was me running with my receiver, him running. I pushed off of the receiver, right to the tackle. He lowers his shoulder. We both just kind of hit each other. I’m driving him. He’s trying to drive his legs. Still no whistle, but my head is in his chest. So, I don’t know really where I’m at on the field. There’s still no whistle. They never blew the whistle until after I dropped him on the ground,” Al-Shaair told reporters on October 21.
“It’s just confusing because that happened a whole bunch today. And I don’t – I guess, normally, that you’re able to kind of play a little bit longer with the whistle. But it just awkwardly – if the guy stopped, then blow the whistle. So, I just – it was weird.”
Moreover, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans agrees with Al-Shaair about the late whistle.
“I think that happened a few times in the game,” Ryans said on Tuesday, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson. “Definitely agree there. Plays weren’t stopped when they should have been stopped.”
Texans Must Play Smarter
GettyAzeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Al-Shaair also pointed to a penalty on teammate Tim Settle in the fourth quarter. It was a third-and-3, and the Texans stuffed Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet for a 1-yard loss that gave Seattle a fresh set of downs to run out the clock in the 27-19 contest.
Al-Shaair said the officials told him that he had to be more aware of his position on the field.
He also said he and Darnold have a “pretty good football relationship.” Still, Ryans lamented penalties after the game and on Tuesday, which must include Al-Shaair’s.
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