Story by
Jaguars' Doug Pederson 'surprised' by DeMeco Ryans' comments before Al-Shaair's suspension
- Story by
- Jaguars' Doug Pederson 'surprised' by DeMeco Ryans' comments before Al-Shaair's suspension
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said he was a little surprised about Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans ' comments Monday regarding Jacksonville's reaction to the hit on Trevor Lawrence by Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair .
Ryans said he felt the Jaguars "overreacted" in their response to the hit, which led to a bench-clearing brawl. Jaguars corner Jarrian Jones was ejected from the game for throwing a punch while tight end Evan Engram was penalized for his role in defending Lawrence. Al-Shaair was ejected for the hit he put on Lawrence.
Advertisement
"He [Al-Shaair] hits the guy but their sideline overreacts," Ryans said Monday. "It turns into a melee. It wasn't our guys. It's their team [that] overreacted, pushed our guy, dragging our guy to the sideline, so that's uncalled for on that side. We have to be better on the sidelines as well, with both teams."
SUSPENDED: Azeez Al-Shaair, Houston Texans LB, suspended 3 games for illegal hit
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson talks with Houston Texans DeMeco Ryans before the start of Sunday's game. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Sunday, September 24, 2023. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
Pederson explained that he has a ton of respect for Ryans, but felt the reaction would have been the same if the shoe was on the other foot.
"I was a little surprised and look, I've got a ton of respect for DeMeco. He's a former player, I'm a former player. Emotions run high. I would say that if it happened to their quarterback, I think the reaction would've been the same, quite frankly," Pederson said. "I do think that the reaction is a natural thing for any player, any team to feel."
Advertisement
Jacksonville's sideline cleared quickly in support of Lawrence as part of a retaliation against what Al-Shaair did. Multiple players pushed and pulled Texans players toward Jacksonville's bench area.
The scuffle eventually subsided until Al-Shaair briefly re-ignited the altercation in the end zone before being escorted into the locker room.
Pederson stands behind Jaguars players as Azeez Al-Shaair gets initial three-game suspension
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Azeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans points to the Jacksonville Jaguars bench after a fight and being ejected during the second quarter of a game at EverBank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Pederson did not want to offer his opinion of whether or not Al-Shaair deserved a three-game suspension for his actions against Lawrence but did reiterate that the type of hit made needs to get out of the game.
Advertisement
"It's honestly probably not my place to speak necessarily on the punishment. I think that's the league issue on that. As far as Azeez goes and everything, good player. I think just a play that somehow we need to try to get the play out of the game if possible. Obviously, I stand behind our guys for the reaction," said Pederson.
"I think it's a natural reaction. I think for all of us that have watched sporting events over our lifetimes, things like this happen. The team is going to respond. So, for guys to respond to Trevor in that way, and the hit, I support them and all of that. But at the same time, listen, I say that to say this: we've got to somehow eliminate these plays. These are plays that can change outcomes of games."
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is carted off the field after sustaining a heavy hit during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Pederson noted that both teams were professional during the second half of the game. He also said the officials warned both teams that anything more would result in further ejections.
Advertisement
"The officials told us that it was a no tolerance. I don't necessarily know the transcript there, what he was mentioning," said Pederson when asked about referee Land Clark saying officials do not issue warnings.
"Both sides were — it was basically like, listen guys, we've got to keep our heads in the second half. And both sides did."
Pederson says Jaguars are 'not out to hurt anybody' in response to soft comments
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) talks to head coach Doug Pederson before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Former Jaguars defender Bucky Brooks, currently working as part of the team's broadcast crew, made a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday criticizing Jacksonville's response to Al-Shaair's hit.
"The franchise QB was knocked out and it was handled with a collective shrug. Most teams would've enacted some form of vigilante justice to ensure that kind of hit didn't happen again. Now, every future opponent knows they can take shots without fear of retaliation," Brooks said in part, noting that he was disappointed in how the reaction occurred.
Advertisement
Pederson said he doesn't know what it means to say the team did not respond enough after halftime.
"Listen, it's a hard, physical, tough game to play. You've got to be a tough, physical individual to play this sport — I don't care what position — to play football. We're not out to hurt anybody. We're not out to ruin careers. We're out to win a football game and play hard within the rules," said Pederson. "That's our job. That's how we coach it, that's how we play. Do we take it to the line? Yeah, we take it to the line, but more often than not these games come down to just a couple of plays."
Pederson said the team lost because they didn't make a couple of plays down the stretch, not because of the reaction to the play.
Advertisement
"If they're asking or suggesting we go after someone, we're not doing that. Flat out. We are not doing that. It's not how I coach. It's not how I'm going to coach these teams, these players. We're just going to go out and do our jobs. Play hard, play fast, play physical within the rules," Pederson explained.
The Jaguars, and Pederson, are moving forward and on to the Tennessee Titans as they hope to get back on track amid a five-game losing streak. They take to the road after losing to the Texans at home last Sunday.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, please consider becoming a subscriber to support local journalism in Northeast Florida .
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Doug Pederson: Jacksonville Jaguars had 'natural reaction' to dirty hit
