JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Richard from Jacksonville

DeMeco Ryans needs to be fined or suspended as well for condoning his player's behavior.

This sentiment was common among O-Zone emailers late Monday, and understandably so after Houston Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans spoke to the media that afternoon regarding linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair's hit in a Texans victory over the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium Sunday – a flagrant, dangerous hit that concussed Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. I was surprised and disappointed by Ryans' comments, in which he appeared to suggest that Lawrence didn't begin to slide early enough on the play and in which he also said that the Jaguars sideline overreacted and therefore caused the melee that ensued. Know this: Ryans has every right to defend his player. I suppose in retrospect I would have been surprised had he done any different. He also isn't wrong that defenders often have a difficult time in the current rules knowing when to hit – or not hit – a running quarterback. But to say the Jaguars' sideline overreacted? Al-Shaair's hit was vicious, intentional and dirty. It wasn't just outside the NFL's current rules protecting quarterbacks, it was outside many rules of past eras. Jaguars players reacted to this hit as seriously as I've seen a team react to situation in a while. The melee continued longer than many NFL melees and the Jaguars players had an unusual level of anger. This wasn't because of any preconceived dislike of Al-Shaair or the Texans. It was because the hit was well outside what common sense tells you is "physical football." It was a hit with malicious intent. The Jaguars not only reacted appropriately, it was in a very real sense surprising they didn't react more dramatically.

Mike from Lakeland, FL

A reprehensible hit from a repeat offender; it's a shame that man has the honor to wear the "C" plays like that are calculated, dirty, and have no place in the game.

It was as vicious and flagrant a hit as I remember covering in three decades covering the NFL. It's hard to say it was calculated because that suggests premeditation. It's also hard to say it wasn't intentional.

Biff from Jax

Should I be shocked by comments by DeMeco Ryans in his Monday presser? Suggested Trevor was at fault for sliding late. Directly called out the Jaguars' sideline for overreacting. The easy, emotional response is to call Ryans an idiot. However, is this just him doing damage control? Working as the PR man for Al-Shaair? At best, it's a bad look from a fan's perspective but how do players, coaches and journalists interpreting what he's doing.

"Shocking" comes pretty close.

Bob from Sumter, SC

I just really don't understand Doug Pederson's post-game comments. He referred to what was clearly a vicious, intentional, illegal hit on his franchise quarterback as "unfortunate." Unfortunate is when a player gets hurt on a routine play in a violent sport. Then he goes on to defend Coach Ryans and chastises cornerback Jarrian Jones for standing up for his teammate. Sure, you don't go off on a tirade and say everything you really want to say. But where the heck is the gut level intensity? This team often plays with a lack of emotion and fire. I'm beginning to wonder if that culture starts with the head coach.

I didn't see Head Coach Doug Pederson as "chastising" Jones Sunday. It's true that he wasn't emotional in his press conference following Sunday's game. Pederson coaches unemotionally. This is by design. It's his style. He's not going to be a yeller or "go off on tirades." He's of the school that believes coaches must be level-headed and maintain control to best lead the team. It's sort of trendy lately to criticize this trait and say the team reflects it. The Jaguars played with plenty of emotion and fire in 2022 and early 2023. Not so much since. Chicken or egg, I suppose.

Andy from Alpharetta, GA

I'm not sure I've been more disappointed as a Jags fan. We are 2-9 and the franchise gets taken out with a terrible cheap shot and the response is to come out and play ho-hum, head-down, get-the-job-done football? Look, I'm not looking for cheap shots and to purposely injure someone, but I was expecting some anger and edginess. Instead, it looks like they could care less. And this is the biggest problem with Pederson (and General Manager Trent Baalke) - the team takes on the personality of the leadership. And I've seen enough.

OK.

Gary from Fleming Island

Once again, the Jags wear those ridiculous uniforms and they lose again. Maybe if they start wearing real football uniforms they might play like a real football team.

My wife doesn't like the all teal, either. So there's that. It's always the uniforms in the NFL.

John from Jacksonville

Azeez Al-Shaair is one of the Texans team captains. If you're the coach do you strip him of the title? He's a repeat offender. Show that you don't condone the behavior.

That would be surprising considering Ryans' statement Monday.

Corey from Madison, WI

That hit on T-Law was dirty and it's great to hear he's doing ok. Why did it feel to me that the Jags were punished more for that play than the Texans? The Jags lost two players to their one. Then, when all was said and done ALL the penalties get offset and it remained third-and-1?!? Seems like another ridiculous facet of the sometimes idiotic NFL rules. I would think logically that the personal foul on the late hit should have been enforced. Then all the other penalties after the play (even though they were a result of that play) can be offset. The NFL needs to look into how penalties are enforced. Why was the penalty during the play grouped together with the ones after?

You're not wrong. This was a situation in which the penalties were enforced correctly by the letter of the law but didn't really reflect the situation.

James from Jax

Why not make the thug sit out as long as Trevor does?

Because that's not the rule.

Kei from Kitakyushu, Japan

This is Trevor's third (documented) concussion going back to his college days... do you think the coaching staff and/or the front office should shut him down for the rest of the season, or to save Trevor from himself if he wants to return again?

Lawrence is in the NFL's concussion protocol. He cannot and should not play until he clears it. If it's unsafe for him to play after that, they need to change the protocol.

Pete from Daytona Beach, FL

Dear Funk, every week I read the "Experts final analysis" and every week former Jaguars left tackle and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Tony Boselli picks the Jaguars to win. The Jaguars are 2-10. I think this disqualifies Big Bo as an expert.

I can only assume Boselli expects the Jaguars to always win. Isn't he adorable?

Tom from Jacksonville

The NFL suspended then-Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict for the rest of 2019 (12 games) for a dangerous hit on a tight end. He had prior suspensions. The Texans Azeez Al-Shaair (aka Al Jerkco) should be suspended the rest of this season and fined heavily. Should the NFL change rules to require a player causing an injury to be suspended for a period equal to the injured player's absence plus one game?

I don't expect the NFL to change a rule based on Sunday's play because I don't think such hits will be a trend. The vast majority of NFL players play with respect for their opponent without intent to injure. This is because most players know the danger involves and would like to be granted the same respect.

Gordon from Jacksonville

Why does no one have any faith in left tackle Walker Little? I've paid close attention to him every time he has started and I've always thought he did a terrific job. With him locked up, they can use their draft picks to fill other areas of concern, like the secondary and the pass rush.

One fer Little.

Andrew from Halifax

Could've sworn I saw Travon get to Stroud Sunday … 8.5 sacks with five games left. Amazing the production he has EVEN with being a generational bust.

Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker never has been close to being a bust. He's really good and continues to get better.

Ray from Jax

John: I watched the Philadelphia Eagles-Baltimore Ravens game Sunday. Either it is fairly easy to find good, athletic big guys on both lines of scrimmage or these two teams have them all. It's almost a different game than Jaguar failures.

Yes, it is.

Cliff from Everywhere with helicopter

The best part of the recent submission by "Jonathan from Formerly of Jax Beach" is the word "formerly".

We talk a lot here in the O-Zone about the importance of being nice. I think we should start being nice.

Brittany from Duval

Will the Jags make it to playoffs?

Brittany's got jokes.