Was Azeez Al-Shaair’s 3-Game Suspension for Lawrence Late Hit Too Harsh? | The Rich Eisen Show

[@mattlowe9675]

He's choked a QB, he's punched rival players, he's taken cheap shots at players out of bounds multiple times and now this. Caserio can whine all he likes about the guy's character and off the field maybe that's true, but at the end of the day he's repeatedly shown he doesn't respect other players' safety on the field, at all, so Caserio needs to check those receipts.

[@jessArcade]

When did he choke a qb?

[@AsifKhan-hf9zy]

@@jessArcade in the groin area............ which is worse, tbh

[@brandonhallam51]

Punched them after they attacked him. But you probably still endorse attacking players... and cry when they fight back

[@KCDre]

@@jessArcadeTom Brady

[@jessArcade]

@KCDre he hit him in the throat. You're not allowed to grab the collar or face mask, where's he supposed to grab. You think he choked him with one hand in 3 seconds of contact?

[@misterchow]

NFL just saved Tua's life.

[@AlexanderBarreto]

They should be able to divide the penalties into "during the play" and "after the play" infractions in a c ase like this so that a reaction like that doesn't lead to offsetting penalties.

[@pbm___000]

100% deserved. The ONLY REAL PROBLEM is lack on consistency in enforcement

[@Black4Cook]

But how do you want to treat consistency? He already had dirty hits in his career so far and that was the 3rd dirty hit this season already. If they only give him 1 game suspension, why would you not attack QBs every play like that and have a easy path to win the game when you know the starting QB out. The nfl already had situations in the past where players tried to injure QBs and if you don't penalize such behavior, there is no reason to not go for it because there are still guys out there who think that's a clean hit.

[@guyco8748]

This jerk needs to be suspended for life! he is a dirty player. Period!!!!!!

[@DesignRhythm]

Gmafb, not even that bad of a hit. He slid late. The NFL is getting so soft.

[@wanderinroy]

For me, it was the forearm that sealed the deal. He can say what he wants that it was too late to pull back, but the forearm blow shows that he was intentional in his aim to hurt the QB.

[@notsure278]

Your right. He shouldn't of used his forearms.. though if you take another look at the trajectories, then that means it would be the crown of his helmet going right into Trevor's facemask.

[@milkman7419]

He could have jumped over, held him down, or went straight touch football and established he's down. Hell he could have dropped his shoulder down would have still been a flag but 10 times better than leading with a braced forearm lunged at his head. He knew his intentions and he knew the rules and he broke them. Texans should embrace this suspension. He is reckless.

[@JoshuaDiggs-g4k]

@@milkman7419lmao jumped over him in a split second and u must never played football give me a forearm over a shoulder to the head or head to head . If he got hit with the shoulder helmet gone

[@Kube_Dog]

Is it true he yelled the allu akbar thing?

[@imlo2738]

@@Kube_Dog What do you think? People are so gullible...I swear.

[@andriylakusta]

The Texans would sure be screaming the other way if it was Stroud that got blown up by a forearm on a slide I'm pretty sure.

[@AsifKhan-hf9zy]

all of texas would be up in arms................ ................. not that it takes a whole lot for arms to come out flashing in texas

[@TheSkyhighmusic]

FR

[@alexpadilla7589]

Stroud goes down head first early and even out of bounds yards before any defender is near him. The way it should be

[@mrcnub]

​@@alexpadilla7589And Lawrence was a full five yards away when he started his slide. How much is early enough? Eight yards? Ten? Twenty?

[@alexpadilla7589]

@mrcnub it was 3 yards if that. At the speed these athletes move that's almost no time to react. It was a bad hit. He should be punished and fined.

[@humaux]

He was OBVIOUSLY sliding and he tried to take his head off. He braced his forearm against his body so it was solid and drove the hardest part of his arm into his head. I would have suspended him for the rest of the year if not longer.

[@notsure278]

Azeez was obviously launching for a big hit targeting the ball-carrying arm to force a fumble, Trevor slid late and put his head where the ball was.

[@surfin392]

​@John-PaulHunt-q3z the use of woke in your response tells everyone they need to know about your opinion

[@jjohnson218]

Late slide. How you expect a 230 Pound man going full speed to let up at the last second. Do you even have eyes?

[@davidg3944]

@@jjohnson218 One to many hits, JJ? If you play the game, if you play as a pro, you've got body control (otherwise you never make the field). That was a viscous, targeted hit, planned for the most damage possible. You want to play that way? Join the Marines, you'll get all the violence you can(can't) handle.

[@tinmanrobby]

@John-PaulHunt-q3z Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1: "An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended... when a runner declares himself down by sliding feet-first on the ground. When a runner slides feet-first, the ball is dead the instant he touches the ground with anything other than his hands or his feet. 1. Defenders are required to treat a sliding runner as they would a runner who is down by contact. 2. A defender must pull up when a runner begins a feet-first slide. This does not mean that all contact by a defender is illegal. If a defender has already committed himself, and the contact is unavoidable, it is not a foul unless the defender makes forcible contact into the head or neck area of the runner with the helmet, shoulder, or forearm, or commits some other act that is unnecessary roughness."

[@dougmiyamoto3109]

On top of being a repeat offender, the way he acted in the moments after like a sociopath, and his BS apology speaks volumes. I'd throw him out of the league. And the GM said he "loves everything about Azeez". If that's true, they have a serious culture problem in the organization. If he appeals the suspension, it shows he has no idea of the egregious nature of his hit.

[@nisha5669]

So now you’re mad at a player for defending themselves after the entire team came off the damn bench it was attacking him. He’s appealing the suspension because the punishment don’t match the crime your punishing him as though he’s been suspended before when he hasn’t.

[@Bobbleheads56]

For what? A pansy hit where a guy faked an injury?

[@Kube_Dog]

Out of the league. Clean the league up. Drain the swamp.

[@dougmiyamoto3109]

@@Bobbleheads56 Kinda like the faked moon landing? 😆

[@tinmanrobby]

@@nisha5669 NFL VP of Operations John Runyon sent a letter to Shaair "Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football of all those that play, coach and watch football is troubling. Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated". This's Shaair's 5th time flagged for dirty playing from the NFL to the tune of $47.8K in fines. Immediate 3 game suspension. Roughing the passer against New Orleans Facemask against Tampa Bay Fighting vs. Chicago Late hit vs. Titans Dirty player. Immediate 3 game suspension while the NFL decides the total punishment.T. This is a known dirty player The NFL knows, the fans know, the Players know. The mentally less fortunate do not have a clue...

[@OhmsAtHome]

Not his first incident. He punched a Bears player who was not even in the game earlier this year

[@jessArcade]

The Bears sideline was shoving him. You're not supposed to fight in a game but he didn't start it.

[@Muzzlecrowe-li9kt]

@@jessArcadeshoving him because he’s dirty!

[@jamie_youtube_]

He started it when he hit Caleb the way he did. These players are gonna defend their teammates. Al-Shaair instigates with his play and acts like the victim when he gets the reaction he wants, while throwing punches and behaving in a way that does not belong in any organized sporting event. He’s incredibly immature at best and a sociopath at worst. The fact that the Texans tolerate it is a systemic problem with that organization and a consistent trend in the league of turning a blind eye to horrendous character.

[@bluegrassbred8714]

He was surrounded by bears players and shoved by Johnson at which point he swung on him...seems fair to me 🤷🏻

[@jessArcade]

@@jamie_youtube_ he hit him, in bounds, at the first down marker. You don't want to get hit? Step out of bounds.

[@coryo4410]

The Texans should be embarrassed putting out that statement. There was intent, the reaction of Trevor was scary, most likely knocked him out. Honestly if that happened to any of my teammates. Mostly likely a few guys would have tried to catch up with the offender after the game.

[@qlazz]

Another word also couldve prevented all of this : GREED. Trying to gain every yard instead of falling. Maybe tgis will send a message to running qb's that there are some guys ou there that know the BOOM! is coming. Go back and watch Ronnie Lot hits😮

[@bobsburgers8885]

I think 3 games is nowhere near enough. They give out 4 game suspensions like candy for non-football-related stuff. This is way way way worse than betting on a basketball game from inside the team facility instead of outside.

[@173jaSon371]

The NFL only suspended him for as long as they did because of the amount of publicity this hit received and it will likely be appealed down to 1-2 games. Not saying I agree with that, but the NFL is just protecting their brand with their response.

[@AsifKhan-hf9zy]

@@173jaSon371 prolly cut it down to two, to avoid him sending mahomes to the hospital. because game no 3 is against lamar, good luck getting within five feet of lamar, he not white............

[@JACKXK]

He also punched Roschon Johnson in the face on the sideline of the Bears game after blasting Caleb Williams.

[@jjohnson218]

You soft. Stop watching football.

[@todub781]

This is worse for the player who was hit but anything related to rules infractions connected to gambling has the potential to cost the league money. The NFL or any other league is not trying to lose that big money that it gets from gambling! In a couple of weeks this may already be in the rearview mirror.

[@larkinstube]

What’s embarrassing is the Texans doubling down when it was clearly a dirty hit and the conduct after clearly being a display of bad sportsmanship. Why can’t anyone own mistakes anymore? It’s all deflect, denial, deflect, denial.

[@noelahg79]

This.

[@DudeLoopNoob]

easily the most disgusting franchise.

[@brandonhallam51]

​@@DudeLoopNoob ur just angry you guys got swept again

[@DudeLoopNoob]

@@brandonhallam51 its not the first time. you think that bothers me now? no its yall are dirty.

[@bluegrassbred8714]

You damn right we're going to double down as an organization and a fanbase when we know that Azeez is a solid person and a good player. Does he get lost in the moment sometimes sure but he's a damn good leader and player. Just because the league doesn't want QBs to get hit doesn't make it fair. If they want to leave the pocket then they are a ball carrier and should be treated as such period!!!

[@MongoXDK]

Should have been the rest of the season.

[@greggs3808]

He was trying to knock Lawrance out of the game, succeeded and that the coach and GM are defending him shows they have a bounty gate culture in Houston. If this keeps up the league will be checking on them.

[@one277]

Just bc he apologized does not make it ok. He didn't own it after the hit. There is enough injuries without purposely causing injury.

[@dojoearth8304]

He breaks his forearm of it’s not wrapped in metal … He throws that arm because it was wrapped.

[@ozkarin07]

😂😂😂😂 it's a plastic brace!🤡

[@beeseumz]

Bill Romanowski, Richie Incognito, Ndomikan Suh, Vontaze Burfict, and Al-Shaair all have a lot in common with how they play

[@ozkarin07]

They play physical it's the NFL! Not flag football.

[@dougglogouski3954]

No, the NFL is the one football league that SHOULD NOT have issues with players who play over the line. Football is physical. Lunacy has no place in the game.

[@DaemonGeek]

Trevor was far enough into his slide for Al-Shaair to recognize it and to pull up, or at least attempt to do so. Definitely not too harsh a punishment.

[@rstekcy7967]

Ya because you’ve run 20 mph to know . Shut up .

[@buffalobilly6046]

His arm was already out and ready before Trevor even started the slide. That means he clearly had an intention to hit the player high rather than actually try and tackle him. Then Trev slid and he saw the chance to take the opponent QB out, so he took him out. It was clearly intentional and malicious.

[@BigBoyJay_69]

​@@buffalobilly6046look at the replay. There was 5 yards between Trevor starting his slide and Shaair

[@Ngthan123]

@@BigBoyJay_69 watched the replay myself soo many times. When he begins the motion at 4-5 yards away you need to consider it in real time not slow-motion. They both are running into each other at full speed the LB would have less than a split-second to react and stop all momentum, its not humanly possible to pull out of a tackle like that. Given contact was an elbow to the shoulder instead of a helmet to the head means it wasn't as malicious as everyone has blown it out to be. Late hit and late slide = yes. Both can be true

[@DesignRhythm]

Nonsense. Trevor was pushing for the 1st down line and slid way too late.

[@dkenned4]

Texans becoming one of the least liked teams in the NFL

[@michaelreyes8879]

What's new for Houston fans

[@ozkarin07]

And guess what? We DGAF!!🤡

[@CoolWeather28]

​@@ozkarin07Why?

[@amaandhalwani]

You're not speaking for everyone, I just became a Texans fan

[@Spartanbot1001]

The dude stuck his braced up forarm directly into Lawrence's facemask, leading to his head violently twisting to the right. He was unconscious before his head hit the turf. The texans and Shaair trying to make him into a victim is ridiculous.

[@jamesgoudreau1940]

I mean the coach pretty much had to defend him but saying the Jags overreacted to this guy sending their QB off the field in a cart is absurd. Further, all I know is what I saw on the field, great he donates to United Way so that allows him to try and kill people on Sundays, what a load of crap. I think on these kinds of things they should fine the team also. Nothing will get the dirty clowns out of the league faster than penalizing the team also. I mean I get not throwing a teammate under the bus even when they do something stupid, but I hope behind the scenes they are taking this seriously. He could have put out his arms and pushed Lawrence over, he could have twisted or planted an arm to change his trajectory. An athlete of his caliber had plenty of options, the hit was completely unnecessary.

[@ElizabethBryant-d2u]

Al-Shaair's hit involved his metal brace to Lawrence's head area. That's a deadly weapon. Not too harsh

[@jjohnson218]

He slid into that forearm

[@ElizabethBryant-d2u]

@@jjohnson218 You're mistaken. Watch it again.

[@jjohnson218]

@@ElizabethBryant-d2u Shaair was defending the first down line. Lawerence tried to slide into it but instead he should have dived into leading with the shoulder as suppose to just reclining with his feet up , face exposed. Shaair simply did not want Lawrence to cross the first down line.

[@tinmanrobby]

@@jjohnson218 Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1: "An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended... when a runner declares himself down by sliding feet-first on the ground. When a runner slides feet-first, the ball is dead the instant he touches the ground with anything other than his hands or his feet. 1. Defenders are required to treat a sliding runner as they would a runner who is down by contact. 2. A defender must pull up when a runner begins a feet-first slide. This does not mean that all contact by a defender is illegal. If a defender has already committed himself, and the contact is unavoidable, it is not a foul unless the defender makes forcible contact into the head or neck area of the runner with the helmet, shoulder, or forearm, or commits some other act that is unnecessary roughness." As soon as the slide is initiated, the ball is dead. Tell us you don't know football without showing us how ignorant you are....

[@DesignRhythm]

Let me get u a tissue.

[@Aerospace_Education]

Can we stop saying he apologized... That was not an apology. They need to send a message to players like this. In the end, the NFL is a business and the health and safety of the workers in that business which is inherently dangerous to begin with. There is no reason to lead a hit with the forearm. Just lead with your hands.

[@Me-gy7yk]

It's not harsh, being suspended for a minimum of one game should be the default punishment for ejected players, with a sliding scale based on what the reason for that ejection was. Seems crazy to me that you can be suspended for a year for a gambling violation but get a wagged finger for something as serious and dangerous as that foul (I won't call it a tackle). Three games is half the PED suspension handed down yesterday.

[@geoffsimpkins7650]

Been watching pro football since the season Namath won the Super Bowl and this was one of a small handful of vicious unsportsmanlike hits I have seen.

[@DesignRhythm]

LoL, u can't possibly be serious. Go watch soccer.

[@geoffsimpkins7650]

@ if I want to cure insomnia, I’ll go watch soccer. If I want to watch cheap shots, I’ll watch Houston.

[@adolphespinoza1955]

He punched bears running back johnson and the face on the sideline after somewhat of a late hit on williams

[@jessArcade]

Williams was in bounds going for the first. Trevor was going for the first down. The Bears sideline surrounded him and were shoving him. Knuck if you buck.

[@tinmanrobby]

@@jessArcade NFL VP of Operations John Runyon sent a letter to Shaair "Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football of all those that play, coach and watch football is troubling. Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated". This's Shaair's 5th time flagged for dirty playing from the NFL to the tune of $47.8K in fines. Immediate 3 game suspension. Roughing the passer against New Orleans Facemask against Tampa Bay Fighting vs. Chicago Late hit vs. Titans Dirty player. Immediate 3 game suspension while the NFL decides the total punishment. This is a known dirty player The NFL knows, the fans know, the Players know. The mentally less fortunate do not have a clue...

[@jessArcade]

@tinmanrobby 2-3 unnecessary roughness calls over an 18 game season is not a pattern of behavior.

[@davidwilkins5932]

GOOD! The best indication of the nature of the hit was the immediate reaction of Trevor’s teammates. They didn’t need repeated replays in slow-motion to know what happened. He was going down and the play was basically over when he clobbered the guy with his forearm, which was encased in a brace.

[@unknownmlg4041]

Idk how anyone’s saying that’s too harsh. The guy is a dirty player he’s got literal highlight reels of him doing this to everyone. This suspension may save someone’s career or life 🤷🏻‍♂️ and that’s not an overreaction Edit* the same boneheads defending this hit are the same ones that cried when they banned hip drop tackles “may as well be flag football” or “how are they supposed to tackle now?” How many hip drop flags or fines have occurred since? It’s almost as if it wasn’t a necessary way to tackle and was just dangerous.

[@Deezy3211]

he’s never been suspended or kicked out of a game…. He is a first time offender this isn’t Burfict or anything close

[@dougmiyamoto3109]

@@Deezy3211 You're setting a very low bar if you're bring Burfict into the discussion. He was a full-blown psychopath.

[@maverickbestop1628]

"Highlight reels" and it's 4 plays

[@unknownmlg4041]

@ so because he’s never gotten caught/punished that’s why he should be punished lightly? 😂

[@unknownmlg4041]

@@maverickbestop1628 yeah because they just started doing highlight reels of him hitting players. Also it was more than 4 plays genius. He’s prob had 4 dirty plays this season

[@robynsnest8668]

Repeat Offender? Not even close to enough. Rest of the season would be a good start with his salary going to Lawrence. And the penalty doesn't start till Lawrence returns. This year, next year, ever. Does the NFL want to stamp this out? THEN DO IT!!! And the GM and Coach need to be fired and removed for the doubling down on it.

[@pnwdirtridersbrianlynn8112]

New Rule- QB’s can not fake a slide.

[@tlister67]

Or fake going out of bounds

[@marsrecordings]

@@tlister67stop attacking my qb that runs like a ostrich

[@tinmanrobby]

Lawrence was not faking a slide, he had slidden already before the hit, already down. LOL!

[@michaelhaket5311]

This does not excuse this hit but that would be a great rule!! Split second decision whether the slide is real or the QB is faking you out and you lose x amount of yards.

[@noelahg79]

I know enough about AA to know the NFL would be better if he weren't in it. I think it's funny that Nick Caserio is angry at facts.

[@dawsonje]

Really buddy? Do you know AA? Please, random YT commenter. Do tell us!

[@dawsonje]

@ I never claimed to have specific knowledge about Al Shaair, I just doubted that the OP does.

[@smashdon5277]

@@dawsonje sorry I meant to reply to to the OP

[@victoriaman117]

It’s simple, if a player hurts another with what’s is deemed an illegal hit by the NFL, that players suspension should equal the time the injured player is away.

[@michaelwhite9634]

Houston's staff is tone deaf and out of touch with the game

[@jeanfourcade]

That braced forearm was intentionally aiming at knocking Lawrence out. It's out there for everyone to see, and Al-Shaair simply didn't get away with it. Let's hope he learns.

[@pluckpluckpass]

I would LOVE to see the Texans miss the playoffs and the Bills get the 1 seed after the Diggs trade.

[@theshawshankinception1220]

Why do you hate the Texans?

[@QUARTERBACKYYYY]

bills trash anyway

[@ajs8779]

The sliding rule jumped the shark as soon as guys like Mahomes and Caleb Williams starting using it as an advantage. Fake sliding and/or a deke move like you're slowing up to go out of bounds, only to cut up field for more yards. League has 2 choices now: - Runners, including QB's, are responsible to protect themselves, or; - 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty for faking submission via slide or out of bounds.

[@tinmanrobby]

Lawrence wasn't faking a slide though. It was obvious this was not the case.

[@DesignRhythm]

@@tinmanrobby He slid way too late. He was going for the 1st down marker and got caught. He could have run out of bounds. His own fault.

[@mondayandfriday9557]

I didn't study the play. But from one look, the defensive player left his feet....launched at the QB. The QB slide late also. Also I don't see how the QB slide is proper technic. Falling forward seems safer, and if the QB trys to dive forward, just spot the ball where he left his feet and not where the QB lands.

[@tinmanrobby]

@@DesignRhythm How do YOU determine in a Quarterbacks mind when YOU think he's sliding to late? LOL! Lawrence started sliding 2-3 yards BEFORE the 1st down, LOL!

[@tinmanrobby]

@@mondayandfriday9557 This will help you see the NFL's reasoning: Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1: "An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended... when a runner declares himself down by sliding feet-first on the ground. When a runner slides feet-first, the ball is dead the instant he touches the ground with anything other than his hands or his feet. 1. Defenders are required to treat a sliding runner as they would a runner who is down by contact. 2. A defender must pull up when a runner begins a feet-first slide. This does not mean that all contact by a defender is illegal. If a defender has already committed himself, and the contact is unavoidable, it is not a foul unless the defender makes forcible contact into the head or neck area of the runner with the helmet, shoulder, or forearm, or commits some other act that is unnecessary roughness."

[@38tales]

His intentions were made profoundly clear by his actions.

[@lesaunier3825]

Dude went with the forearm, fought AGAIN after the scuffle, and punched a non playing bear player a few weeks prior. Azeez is the new Burflict, and the Texans need to change the way they approach this situation quickly and dramatically if they doesn't want to lose all support from non-Texans fans.

[@marcussearcy9709]

My only pushback is that the ball is spotted where the slide starts. You can't advance the football to the end of the slide.

[@The_Notorious_B.D.C]

Al-Shaair is a great player, but to act like that wasn't intentional what he did is absurd. He lead with his forearm at an angle that would bounce the QB's head off the ground. Thats a kill the QB play. For all these people to excuse it with one side of their mouth and then cry about concussions from the other side is wild

[@watson956]

Al-Shaair has been fined FOUR times for bad hits in the past two years Before the hit on Lawrence. A three-game suspension isn't enough, given that kind of history.

[@smashdon5277]

There are other players who have gotten fines and suspension, but still ended up with 1 game suspension after multiple suspensions prior. So how is that consistent with the NFL giving a 3 game suspension to a player who was never suspended before?

[@Tokoroegao]

If a QB is running, a good part of the risk has to be on them. Can't blame the defenders for everything. And Lamar, Mahomes and others make a living out of pretending to go out of bounds, but then keep running for another 5 yards.

[@SonNeturo]

I think that the way he left the field definitely had a lot to do with it. I understand him getting pushed in the back probably didn't help but the way he carried on and not even going over to maybe check on the player rather then trying to fight everyone was just crazy.

[@davidyoungs1482]

He's a multiple offender of Personnel Fouls with outrageous behavior, likely with many thousands of dollars in fines. Isn't it obvious that he needs something different to get his attention. Three is not enough. How about the rest of the season (including any playoff games).

[@andrewneedham3281]

"He apologized." No, Rich, he didn't. Al-Shaair did damage control after he was forced to. Don't get it confused.

[@GeorgeRDrummond]

He may have not been able to avoid the hit but there is no way in hell the forearm wasn’t intentionally thrown. Ir it were my decision he would be gone for the rest of the season. The GM needs to take his blinders off and tell me how he would feel if it was his QB that took the hit. If Lawrence is out for 5he rest o& the season then you lose your player for the rest of the year. I’ve watched it more than once and there is no way the hit wasn’t intentional.

[@christophercripps7639]

Who cushions their fall with a forearm? I guess when an opposing player will cushion your fall. If Aziz threw his hands out and tried to leap or slide over Lawrence the result might’ve been the same but likely when Lawrence’s head makes contact with the ground. But this was a double whammy. But a forearm across the head increases the probability dramatically. This isn’t a case of a QB playing “hero ball” and diving head first for a first down and body to body contact occurred.

[@caseysingh8586]

The forearm? Lol to the chest!??

[@umungus518]

He launched after the slide started. Anyone denying that is a liar.

[@smashdon5277]

Everyone is an expert when watching in slow motion, but they have to realize that all that they assumed happened intentionally happened in a split second, how can anyone say with certainty say that something was intentional when you have only a split second to make a defensive move to stop a running player. Also after the hit Al Shair threw up his hands in the air like he almost realized his mistake, but got pounded on a assaulted by the Jags player, so then he got o reacting to that. He never got time to process what he did because he ended up being assaulted by the Jags. Does the NFL think that it is okay to assault a player because they think he hit a QB dirty?

[@christophercripps7639]

@ In split second decision making one reverts to what has been drilled into one during training. For example, in parachuting one may have only a brief period to react to a main chute malfunction. Does one do the drill to address a partial chute deployment (drill to fully open) or deploy the reserve. In parachuting as the jump master says, “how long do you have to deploy the reserve? The rest of your life.” Elite military forces drill, drill and drill some more so that when, say, a weapon malfunction occurs the response is automatic. Navy damage control parties train and instinctively hose down the HOT metal deck before entering a compartment. Etc. Here the instinct seems to be lower the forearm not the hands. Had he fallen on Lawrence hands out to cushion the blow he might’ve gotten the penalty but no ejection. Football is a collision sport; some head contact is unavoidable. Personally I think the rule should be the designated QB ( former Steeler MLB J Lambert suggested dresses) is down with a 2 hand touch past the line of scrimmage.

[@riffbw]

Offsetting personal fouls is a joke. All of them should be cumulative. 1 vs 3 is 15 vs 45 yards, so move the ball 30 yards in one direction. If you think that's too much, make it 15 + 5 for each additional PF after the 1st so 1 vs 3 is 20 yards. I also think dead ball PFs should be enforced after run of play PFs. A facemask on the play is enforced. If that results in a first down reset the down marker. For this one, the hit gives the Jags a 1st down via penalty, then the Jags get penalized after the fact. If there are offsetting penalties in the melee, they all offset after the run of play penalty is enforced. Effectively you get the result of the play and then the extras. The yardage may offset, but you still reset the downs.

[@davidhoban364]

the punishment is too LIGHT

[@ozkarin07]

Should only be a fine!

[@jjohnson218]

Your soft. Stop watching football.

[@PlyrMava.]

​@@jjohnson218You're*

[@timscharf3289]

4:08 LOL Talk about 0 self awareness.

[@travissaunders4686]

The GM is either delusional or part of the problem. We have all seen this incident numerous times from multiple angles and it is clear that Azeez made eye contact with a sliding Trevor and decided to still go through with a hit. The GM is completely wrong in defending Azeez the way that he is. The only thing that can be said possibly is that a bad decision was made in the heat of the moment. This defense doesn't excuse a pro that is supposed to be able to perform in the heat of the moment and make split second decisions. This incident falls entirely on Azeez and his lack of professionalism, and now the blame appears to be shared with an organization that defends him. After seeing the GM's response, three weeks is very appropriate in order for the organization to feel the consequences.

[@kylepittman2752]

What’s embarrassing is you defending his bad behavior.

[@yellamokram]

after they pass the line of scrimmage a quarterback should be ruled down via 2 hand tag, that way they never have to tackled, and wont ever be hurt

[@AsifKhan-hf9zy]

good point. as long as you are close enough to grasp them in a bear hug, the whistle blows instantly......... they dont have to slide, just stay up erect knowing the defender is no allowed to tackle you and has to focus on bear hugging you..... if the QB is running by you, and you cannot match their speed and bear hug them, thats it, dont try to dive and tackle them, thats a penalty straight up....

[@AsifKhan-hf9zy]

but i dono about the two hand tag........... thats too weak......... a Josh Allen or a Lamar can easily rush past a defender for 20-30 yard runs even if they can get two hands on you........... you are thus limiting their options, they are very strong slithery quick silver QBs........... like you are turning around for instance and right coming at you is a streaking Lamar, sure you could get your two hands on him, but he is in the process of streaking past you and even if you tried to tackle them you was only gonna tackle air........ but your two hands were able to touch him, and lo play over............

[@elliesworld3776]

I think if he was sincerely sorry or he didnt mean to, the human thing to do would be ro check on the man you just knocked out. Take a knee or something. Not fight with fans. I get a Jag player pushed him or got in his face but the reaction would be to put your hands up, try to see if Lawrence is ok, plead the case it was unintentional even though it looked very intentional. I think his past behaviors and actions play a part and how he acted after is why people agree with the suspension.

[@jonathancruz7848]

Last year in the playoffs , Josh Allen scored a rushing touchdown against the Steelers because they thought he was gonna go down , and he didn’t , and as a result , he ran past people who literally STOPPED , and scored a touchdown . Can’t blame the player here … if dude stops , and Trevor doesn’t , then what ? Idk , i don’t see a solution here . At least one that makes both parties happy . The defense has their hands tied behind their backs as it is . Idk .

[@42killac]

Yup I’m a Steelers and fan and when that happened I was shocked like wow thier protected

[@DesignRhythm]

Yes. Also, why is it Derrick Henry can truck a 185lb CB with no complaints, but QB's have some special bubblewrap. They are ruining the game with over-regulations.

[@eddiewinehosen6665]

Too harsh???? He deliberately headhunted leading with his forearm. He should've been suspended at least the season out!

[@notsure278]

If he didn't hit with the forearm then it would be the crown of his helmet driven into Trevor's facemask.

[@jessArcade]

You got facts?

[@brandonhallam51]

You expect guys to not tackle with their arms anymore?

[@Jason-cm6uh]

​@John-PaulHunt-q3zyou should've been in TL's place.

[@PlyrMava.]

Agreed. In my opinion, should've been 17 games. His incidents keep escalating. Is the league gonna slap him on the wrist when he breaks somebody's neck in the next incident? What a joke.

[@SuperCyhawk]

wasnt harsh enough

[@josephwilkerson3071]

How? wtf was he supposed to do? He was already going for the tackle at full speed?

[@juiceman_3]

This is what a casuals say that only watch instant replay

[@pritch2k11]

Lazy slides by QB's ... they needing checking

[@nickmcbeth6609]

Bullshit. It was even bang bang in slow motion. You're daft if you can't see that.

[@nickmcbeth6609]

​@@juiceman_3 no kidding

[@RichRobben1]

3 games is way to short!!! That's a slap on the wrist and to Trevor Lawrence's face!!! And if AlShaair represents the Texans, the Texans team should sold, changed, dissolved, whatever!!! Unfair??? STFU!!!

[@aversethule3831]

Al-Shaair playing about 40 years too late. This hit would have been highlight material in the 80s. He plays hard and it doesn't seem to be ill-intended. It's short-sighted though because he may only be thinking about the game and missing out on the importance of his and other player's health after their careers. It's a naivety of youth and hopefully get gains some important perspective.

[@AsifKhan-hf9zy]

he plays to hit hard and cause pain, but then he claims, he is not in it to send someone to the hospital? contradictory much?

[@charlie-obrien]

Wow, you're so compassionate for the aggressor.. Well, good news is, he has 3 games off to reconsider his "naivety of youth".

[@brucebakken5687]

Football has always been combative and violent, and I have always had a varied opinion about it. Sometimes it just seems too gratuitous and unappealing. What happened was not sport, it was assault. That anyone can defend it as just good hard aggressive football really gives me pause. Honestly, even allowing a physical blow like that is starting to feel barbaric. My appreciation for the sport is definitely fading.

[@deandavis4504]

Make it where the hitter on an illegal hit, deemed so by the league, is out as long as the player who was hit.

[@johnnymartinARTIST]

a forearm with a metal brace? is that true?

[@JSciolino-jk3tq]

Not enough. That kind of cheap shot dirty hit has no place in the sport. It could’ve been a career ending hit. He hit the QB then argued the point. Unacceptable. PERIOD. Take him out for the season and the playoffs. Send the CLEAR message that you have a responsibility to a totally unprotected player who’s giving himself up. A season and the playoff suspension is the bare minimum. I’d take his salary too.

[@andrewwalsh531]

A one game suspension would have been a joke, esp. considering how long TL could be out w/ the concussion. That was a flagrant foul & I'm really surprised to see Rich Eisen suggesting that he thought it deserved merely a 1 game suspension. Like I said, that would've been a joke & made the NFL powers look even more hypocritical that they normally look in these types of situations.

[@Bany1911]

Its not just for the late hit. Its for continuing to fight on the field.

[@SkipMDMan]

His own "apology" sealed the deal for me. What kind of idiot says "my goal is to hit someone as hard as I can every play and then pray they can get up." What an absolute moron. The game is football, it's not UFC. It's never really necessary to hit someone as hard as you can, in general that means you're going to miss too many tackles trying to show off.

[@hoffdawgwithmustard9647]

He's been a dirty player. Yall were fine throwing the book at burfict

[@madnessontheisland]

You can't have it both ways. Either you are calling for the defenders to "lay out" the QB, as you advocated for with Mahomes, or you are advocating for the QB to be better protected as you are with Lawrence. Which is it? One week you're angry that defenders are giving away cheap yards to QBs and the next you're aghast at a defender for doing exactly what you told him to do - what was it again? "Light his a__ up?"

[@andrewzenn1719]

We all agree on the penalty. I think a penalty like this should be like high sticking in NHL. If there is blood or an injury it means a career might be over. Football is an entertainment product, not bare knuckle fighting. Causing another person to lose a career should be equivalent to losing one's own career, half season penalty. However, the defence should be protected from the qb getting extra yards. Qb is down when touched or pushed when past the line of scrimmage, eliminating the decision one makes on whether there is a slide or not. Of course there will be the push to the ground and the push out of bounds , but at least the contact will be eliminated or able to be officiated.

[@DS-jv2vb]

This man might respect his team But he does not respect everyone else around him that's not associate with him

[@WilliamJ.-jg3ym]

PLUS, the end result during the game was offsetting penalties. That is absolutely absurd given what the Houston player did. They didn't even end up with penalty yardage on that play. How utterly ridiculous is that?

[@brucebakken5687]

A forearm to the head is not a tackle. His apology was too long and "explanatory", it did not read sincere to me. The punishment should have been harsher. Essentially what he did was not a football play, it was assault.

[@OMGDDAAVVIIDD]

Let’s get this straight. The GM isn’t mad because Azeez is a good person and shouldn’t get suspended that many games. He’s only giving this crap because his team needs all the help for this playoff push. 3 games is fair for how he left the field.

[@pathoyer5402]

He should have a minimum of 3 games. If Trevor is out more than two games, the suspension should be the number of games Trevor misses plus one game.

[@etherdark]

I was there. It was 100% intentional. The broadcast doesnt show everything that happened.

[@soulblack621]

Where was all this fight when he was playing for my 49ers... he's a madman now.

[@JonAutopsy]

Longtime follower, first time commenter. To reply to the offsetting penalty isssue, I played hockey for 17 years. One thing in hockey they’ve got right is game misconduct penalties. If a player has an ejectionable offense, they are hit with an additional 10 minute misconduct penalty that another player must serve the entirety of. This is due to the fact that hockey players will 100% stick up for their mates taking a bad hit by fighting the player who made said hit. That way the fighting penalty doesn’t washout the much more major offense.

[@williamflack6691]

Rich, if you have a vote for the HOF, please consider Sterling Sharpe! Would be nice to have you do a segment on the candidates.

[@laffingist218]

bringing up what people got away with in the past is pretty irrelevant. we used to get away with children working in factories; who cares? and this isn't even a society issue; this is an entertainment company disciplining one of the performers in its show. the nfl isn't the supreme court, there's no real expectation or need of transparency or consistency when it comes to intentional negligence or misconduct. by now, players have been born, learned the game, and have entered the league knowing the whole time, #1 rule, don't do what this guy did. frankly it's crazy that it still happens so much, that coaches don't coach how to avoid it, that some players don't care to learn how to avoid it. they've been ignoring these things because officials haven't sent the message and haven't gone after players' brands by calling them out. and at the end of the day, what's gained by showing the benefit of the doubt for this? doesn't make the game better, doesn't improve anyone's life. who is even arguing? nfl is just a group of rich people who make a tv show. let em do whatever they want to stop workers from doing the most no-duh dangerous thing that they still somehow keep doing.

[@elliotb1795]

The guy coming out and defending him means nothing to me. The NFL defends players who beat their wives, or women, who drive drunk, who commit assault, who do drugs.... The NFL protects them all. The guy went out there looking to hurt someone for no good reason, and he hurt him bad. 3 games is nothing in comparison to what could have potentially happened with a hit lime that. Most guys follow that rule, that's why you don't see it too often, and I think in this case, it clearly wasn't an accident either. 3 games isn't much of a suspension.

[@cypher515]

Seriously, what the Hell is wrong with people saying "Oh sliding isn't clear enough?" Rich, seriously. If he did that to Josh Allen in Buffalo... he wouldn't make it to the locker room. Actually since it's Florida I'm surprised he DID make it to the locker room. There is NO call for leading with the forearm, that doesn't help tackle a guy, it doesn't help knock the ball out where he's putting his arm, it only helps knock the man the eff out.

[@relaxgaming8872]

Instead of sliding and get blown up. Dive head first to avoid that hit. That was clearly dirty hit with intentions. 3 gave isn’t enough.

[@A1BASE]

Offsetting penalties have always been BS. You have numerical differentiators in yardage for penalties because you recognize that some are more impactful than others, but if two happen on the same play all of the sudden they're always equal? It's insane.

[@GeminiMaddnezz864lyfe]

If you pause the tape you can see he was still on his feet when the slide started

[@marvinshenk]

Leading into Trevor's face with a metal braced forearm seems pretty unsportsmanlike to me. In the movie The Departed, Ray Winstone tells Leo "Kid, there's guys you can hit, and guys you can't hit".

[@33aifan]

Eli Manning had a point. He said they're teaching the QB's the wrong way to slide. You should slide more on your side as you roll to expose more of your back in which you have more control over not hitting your head on the turf, which lessons the chance of concussions.

[@paullarocque2158]

I don't think it matters how fine a character he may, or may not, be, his actions are his actions and they stand alone. Man up and accept the punishment. That is also a measurement of character.

[@calibrazxr750]

This is all bollocks. The forearm is an issue and that deserves a penalty, but this happened so fast that he is possibly aiming at Lawrence's hip/midriff area, but at the exact time he dives in, Lawrence slides. If you don't want to get hit, don't start running. If that hit was on a running back or receiver, we wouldn't be talking about it. As Jack Lambert said, just put dresses on the QBs and be done.

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Mahomes and other QBs have been known to "fake" the slide and a split second later keep running!!! They are taking advantage of what they know is the defender's fear of penalty!

[@jessArcade]

If they want to make it fair, flag QBs. NHL penalizes players for exaggerating.

[@tinmanrobby]

Understand, Lawrence was not doing that, he clearly started sliding 2 yards before the 1st down.

[@levi-316]

These protection rules have been emphasized for over ten years now. It was one thing to debate a hit like that a long time ago when the rules were new, but now there's no excuse for it. You can't have someone like that on the field deliberately endangering people.

[@rodolfoleyva5157]

4 or 5 games

[@benbostaph4928]

Simple way of sorting out the penalties is that in this case the first penalty was a part of the play. So therefore there is yardage attached to that penalty. Then they can throw another flag(s) and say "after the play" and then the yardage that is attached to that particular penalty or penalties. This way they would not be offsetting and actually be recorded. It still does leave the possibility that the yardage for the penalties could add up to the same amount, so there is the potential they could offset the yardage gained and lost. But at least the penalties would be recorded.

[@yepyep7629]

The NFL needs to adopt what the NHL used to have. An enforcer. A dude on your team that you can live with out for three games. That way you can bring the hammer down and not miss a key player.

[@TomBraddock-rl3tm]

The suspension should be for the same amount of time Lawrence misses due to the injury.

[@CJ-cz3lt]

The NFL probably took into account the fine for punching a Bears player earlier this year. The Texans GM is ignoring that with his statement on integrity lmao

[@WilliamDeemer]

Headhunter. That’s what we call guys like that when we played them. Always a second after the whistle, they come up and hit you.

[@kevinrehak7373]

Ive long hated the “offsetting penalties” if you have an offensive holding and a 40yd pass interfereance, why does that offset

[@kellywilson4680]

How about this??? Make this rule. If the QB runs past the line of scrimmage, he is considered a real football player. So if he does pass the line of scrimmage, he can get hit like any other running back on the field. Or we can just go to flag football.

[@chaimmosheansbacher5754]

In addition to the suspension, this guy needs anger management because this is getting way out of hand

[@rubenrebenz1000]

Totally agree with the 3 game punishment. He did hit the great “W” hope of the Jaguars.

[@bradbengel917]

I miss Azeez in a Niners jersey. He was the backup to Greenlaw and is a beast just like him. He doesn’t do that on purpose. It wasn’t a targeted hit, not from that guy.