While speaking to the media after the New York Jets’ ugly 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos, wide receiver Allen Lazard described himself as a “victim” for his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty due to a post-play gesture.
“I’ve gotten zero clarification from the NFL. Now, my coaches have come up and talked to me individually. It’s very unfortunate that I’m the victim of the situation. But it is what it is. It’s part of the NFL and a part of the entertainment factor.”
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If he’s fined, Lazard believes “they are definitely going to exempt it. It wouldn’t make sense to fine someone for something you never warned them (about). It’s like implementing a new driving rule. If you are driving down the street with only one hand, you never told me I can only drive with only two hands. That’s unfair. That’s not a lawful democracy in that sense.”
Allen Lazard got hit with a 15-yard penalty for a finger gun celebration pic.twitter.com/NEuJwxDBoU
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 29, 2024
Lazard also described how the team feels about its 2-2 start to the season.
“If we were to ask ourselves two months ago if we were 2-2 going into the second quarter of the season, we’d be content with that knowing that there’s a lot of football and potential for this team,” Lazard said.
Lazard was also asked if he thinks the team’s offense has found their true identity yet.
“We are figuring it out,” Lazard responded. “We haven’t reached our full potential. I think once we reach our full potential, we find our true identity, it is something that we can lean on consistently. It’s a work in progress and it’s a long season.
“It’s only four games into it, but you guys [the media] can compare it, you guys can twist people’s comments and make them bigger than they really are and everything, but the bond in this locker room, the bond of this team and this organization is a lot stronger than whatever words and headlines you guys want to make out of it.”
Following a rough loss, Lazard and the Jets travel to London this weekend to take on former Jets first-round pick Sam Darnold and the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.
