Latest news with #Al-Shaair
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans defense puts on a show with three interceptions during Saturday's open practice
Azeez Al-Shaair pick six on CJ StroudHe was trying to rip the backside slant to Nico Collins and got stumped One bad performance from the Houston Texans' offense might not be an omen for the regular season. A third great morning for the defense, however, should send fear down opposing offensive coordinators' spines. The Texans picked off three passes during team drills in front of the fans at the Methodist Training Center Saturday morning. Each quarterback tossed an interception, with two resulting in pick-sixes and a swarm of confidence from players in white jerseys. "We try and go out there and get a takeaway every single game," second-year defensive back Calen Bullock said. "If we get multiple, that's lovely. Yeah, that's the standard.' The first pick happened on the opening drive with C.J. Stroud trying to connect with Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins on a slant. Middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was in the right place at the right time and turned the ball the other way, leaving Stroud and the offensive line in the dust. The second interception came from Davis Mills, who has rookie safety Jayden Reed call game while in man coverage. The final pass came from Kedon Slovis, who Myles Bryant intercepted en route to a second house call. "That's who we are. That's what we do," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "So, the defense just being who they are. They're making plays. You had Azeez make a play on the football a couple times. He got his hands on the ball twice. Then Myles had a really good cover snap, playing in great position and was able to finish with the ball in his hand. "Those guys are playing well together.' While Reed and Bryant are fighting for playing time, Al-Shaair is expected to start at the MIKE spot in Year 2. Last season, he didn't live up to the billing of a triple-digit tackler, but his on-field play against the run was promising. In coverage, times were hit or miss. According to Pro Football Reference, Al-Shaair struggled to maintain leverage over tight ends in the postseason, allowing four catches for 36 yards, a touchdown, while also giving up a 122 quarterback passer rating in coverage. This offseason, one of his top priorities was learning how to mature in read and reaction plays in coverage. Al-Shaair joined Kamari Lassiter, Derek Stingley Jr. and the rest of the Texans' defensive back room at the annual 'Cover One Elite Camp,' in Puerto Rico. He was welcomed with open arms and sat back quiet rather than being the vocal presence he tends to turn into on Sundays. Azeez Al-Shaair gave an incredibly insightful answer on how he's developed his leadership introspective, and clearly someone whose presence elevates everyone around him. "It was a chance for us to kind of pass some of the stuff that we know coverage-wise on to him. I'm not saying that he doesn't know how to cover, because obviously he does," Lassiter said. "He's a very elite linebacker. But it's just like, we soak up game from him. And he was able to, a good leader can also listen, you know what I'm saying? So him being able to soak up game from us, that also meant a lot.' How the Texans' offense responds with pads on could be a telling sign for the future identity of this roster entering Year 3 under Ryans and Stroud. There will be a better inclination for how things look starting Monday when light tackling is added into the mix. 'Can you have a bad day and come back and rebound from that?" Ryans said. "I see a lot of great things and a lot of areas we can improve.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Player Wears 'Free Palestine' Cleats At Practice
NFL Player Wears 'Free Palestine' Cleats At Practice originally appeared on The Spun. Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine, some NFL players are making their political convictions clear in camp. Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was wearing "Free Palestine" cleats as the team opened training camp this week. On top of having the letters done in the same color as the Palestine flag, he also had numbers for people killed in the conflict. It's the second year in a row that Al-Shaair has worn cleats like this. It's also closing in on two years since the October 7 attacks that kicked off the ongoing war. As with just about anything relating to the conflict, there have been polarizing reactions to his act of political support. Palestinian supporters are praising Al-Shaair while supporters of Israel are vehemently against him wearing them. "They called this guy a dirty player last year. I honestly never believed it, the man got heart!" one user declared. "Azeez Al-Shaair should be banned from the NFL for wearing pro-terrorist cleats," one user wrote. "Everyone should be supporting Azeez. He's the only NFL athlete speaking up for Palestine," a third wrote. "I like Azeez again," one added. Azeez Al-Shaair became a polarizing figure for his conduct on the field in 2024 as well. Last season he was fined multiple times by the league for illegal hits. One of those illegal hits came against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He his Lawrence as the QB was sliding, causing Lawrence a concussion that knocked him out of the game and ultimately the rest of the season. Al-Shaair was subsequently suspended for three Player Wears 'Free Palestine' Cleats At Practice first appeared on The Spun on Jul 24, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
07-03-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Texans restructure LB Azeez Al-Shaair's contract, clear $6.26 million in cap space
Texans restructure LB Azeez Al-Shaair's contract, clear $6.26 million in cap space The Houston Texans knew they'd have to make several moves ahead of free agency to free up more cap space. So far, everything has gone according to plan. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Texans have restructured linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair's three-year contract. Houston plans to convert some of his salary into a bonus, thus freeing up $6.26 million in cap space ahead of next week's start to free agency. With legal tampering beginning on Monday, the move gives the Texans a bit more breathing room as they try to land a top name on the market ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Al-Shaair, a team captain, wasn't at risk of getting cut, so the Texans will reward him down the line to help the time in the present. After agreeing to a three-year, $33 million deal last offseason, Al-Shaair totaled 70 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles in 11 regular season games and 12 tackles in two postseason games. He also was suspended for three games after the NFL upheld its appeal on his hit against Trevor Lawrence in Week 12's win. Al-Shaair's deal marks the second restructure general manager Nick Caserio has done this week. He also restructured wide receiver Nico Collins' contract, which freed up another $9.8 million in cap space. Al-Shaair's restructure is likely not the last move Houston makes before Monday rolls around. After trading for wide receiver Christian Kirk from the Jacksonville Jaguars, it's expected that Caserio will rework his $16.5 million salary into a new deal with added years. The Texans could also restructure defensive end Danielle Hunter's contract to free up over $13 million. The same goes for Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who could free up another $10 million in cap space. Both would likely come in the form of extensions, thus pushing the money down by one year. Al-Shaair should be back to his full speed for 2025, which could be critical toward his long-term status in Houston.
