Texans $54 million star named ‘Dennis Rodman of linebackers’

The Houston Texans paid their stud linebacker. And he expressed appreciation to the fans. But apparently Azeez Al-Shaair has a little bad boy in him, according to ESPN. The $54 million star was named the Dennis Rodman of NFL linebackers.

Al-Shaair received a ranking of No. 6 among the NFL’s best off-ball linebackers.

“He’s the Dennis Rodman of linebackers,” an NFL personnel evaluator said. “He gets in everyone’s head. He can run all day and can play every down.”

A seven-year veteran, Al-Shaair earned his first Pro Bowl honor last season. He totaled 103 tackles and defended nine passes.

Texans have something special in Azeez Al-Shaair

Al-Shaair struggled to get recognition before last season. But when the Texans became one of the league’s best units, his performances received recognition.

“The veteran linebacker wasn’t a factor in previous rankings,” Jeremy Fowler wrote. “But after embodying Houston’s ultra-physical defense and landing a three-year, $54 million deal, league-wide recognition followed. Al-Shaair appeared on all but one ballot.

“Al-Shaair’s nine passes defended last season were the most for a Texans player with 100 tackles since Brian Cushing had 10 in 2009. The Texans don’t blitz often due to their vaunted pass rush, allowing Al-Shaair to patrol the middle of the field for one of the league’s best defenses and clean up in the run game.”

“He’s specialized by scheme a bit, but he’s explosive and good in coverage,” an NFL coordinator said.

Part of the reason for Al-Shaair’s success is his striking ability, according to The Athletic.

“He has a real ability to uncoil in a short space,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke says. “He does it at a high speed of approach, and that’s where you see a lot of those big collisions. That’s part of his superpower.”

Despite some of the criticisms, the Texans stand behind him.

“When he’s on the field, he plays the way (head coach) DeMeco (Ryans) wants the team to play,” GM Nick Caserio said. “And when he’s off the field, he represents the organization the way the McNair family wants to be represented. I would say that’s kind of rare.”