Texans basic supervisor Nick Caserio isn’t going to let the NFL slide for what he deemed “embarrassing” feedback about suspended linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
Caserio went scorched earth on the league and people issuing what he calls “bulls–t” descriptions of Al-Shaair after the linebacker obtained a three-game suspension for his controversial hit on Trevor Lawrence that gave the Jaguars quarterback a concussion and knocked him out of Sunday’s recreation.
NFL vp of coverage and guidelines administration Jon Runyan launched a scathing remark in explaining why Al-Shaair obtained a three-game ban.
“For the league to make some of the commentary about lack of sportsmanship, lack of coachability, lack of paying attention to the rules, quite frankly it’s embarrassing,” Caserio mentioned Tuesday throughout his staff’s Week 14 bye. “And talk about a player who’s never been suspended, never been ejected, so now we’re saying he’s going to be suspended for three games?”
Al-Shaair has drawn a lot criticism for his hit on Lawrence Sunday, with the linebacker flying in along with his forearm and knocking Lawrence’s head into the grass after the quarterback had begun his slide.
The 27-year-old mentioned he didn’t intend to harm Lawrence and apologized for hurting him, though Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans chalked it as much as quarterbacks sliding late in an try to realize an additional yard.
The NFL wasn’t shopping for that clarification, with Runyan coming down harsh on the linebacker.
It’s price noting that Runyan’s language Tuesday bared similarities to how he addressed Chargers star defensive again Derwin James after levying a one-game suspension in opposition to him earlier within the yr, saying, “Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated.”
Runyan additionally mentioned that Al-Shaair additionally “escalated” a brawl and “started another physical confrontation” after the play.
“You were involved in a play that the [NFL] considers unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules,” Runyan wrote to Al-Shaair, in response to ESPN. “Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide. … You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.”
He added: “Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL. Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”
Runyan’s scathing remarks appear to be according to the largely unfavourable backlash Al-Shaair has obtained over the previous 48 hours.
He posted to his Instagram Story that he’s “been called every single name in the book from reporters with their hands ready for a story to find their villan [sic], to racist and Islamophobic fans and people, you don’t know my heart nor my character which I don’t need to prove to any of you.”
Caserio will not be happy with how Al-Shaair is being seen within the public, though a video circulated on social media within the aftermath of the hit showcasing some questionable Al-Shaair performs over time.
“What we take umbrage with is the picture that’s been painted about Azeez, his intentions, who he is as a person — quite frankly, it’s bulls–t and it’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization and we love everything about Azeez Al-Shaair, what he means to this team, what he brings to this team,” Caserio mentioned. “He was elected a captain after being right here for 4 months. So, once more, we have now loads of respect for our opponents, we have now loads of respect for different groups on this league, we wish to do issues the best method.
‘To speak on Aziz’s intentionality of what he meant to do, a few of the feedback which were made, fairly frankly it’s embarrassing. We’re going to help Aziz, we love the whole lot about hm, we’re glad he’s part of this staff.”
Caserio additionally known as out the NFL for what he believes is an absence of consistency with the way it arms down suspension, noting that Lions star Brian Department didn’t obtain a suspension after being ejected for successful earlier this yr and James solely receiving a one-game ban after successful to the pinnacle.
Al-Shaair will attraction the suspension, per ESPN.
“I’d say one of the biggest issues is that … all teams ask for is consistency from the league,” Caserio mentioned, “and I’d say in this situation, quite frankly, there’s no consistency at all relative to the level of discipline that’s been handed down.”
