Titans' GM Ran Carthon Calls Azeez Al-Shaair a "Maniac on the Grass"

Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon seems very excited about what newly-signed linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair can bring to the Titans and had an interesting way of describing his play on the field.

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon is currently attending the NFL league meeting in Arizona and he sat down with Titans’ team writer Jim Wyatt to give some thoughts on the recent free agent signings the Titans have made. Carthon spoke about new linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and gave a colorful description of who Al-Shaair is as a player and person.

"He's a maniac on the grass, but one of the most calming and even-keel, humble spirits that you'll meet off the field,” Carthon explained. “Very thoughtful, very conscientious. I'm not going to be surprised if he logged the most community service hours of guys on the team.”

Carthon continued to articulate what he likes about Al-Shaair on the field and what he can bring to the locker room.

“What I love about Azeez is the tenacity he plays with. He is full tilt every single snap. He is a guy that at this phase of his career, he really wants to step into a leadership role. He really wants to embrace being a leader,” Carthon said.

These are tremendous things to hear about a new player joining the Titans’ roster. The Titans clearly need a linebacker with the intensity of Al-Shaair after losing one of the most tenacious linebackers in the league in David Long. Hearing what kind of person and teammate Al-Shaair can be is a fantastic cherry on top. The Titans are hoping all the things Carthon sees in Al-Shaair become reality.

Al-Shaair came to the Titans after four seasons with Carthon’s former team, the San Francisco 49ers. Al-Shaair played in 56 games with 31 starts and racked up 199 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. He will have a chance to be a full-time starter for the Titans. Something he only got the opportunity to do in 2021. 

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