The NFL announced that Houston Texans linebacker, Azeez Al-Shaair is being suspended three games for his hit on Trevor Lawrence.
And Texans general manager, Nick Caserio, couldn’t believe it.
Caserio spoke to the media on Tuesday after the NFL announced Al-Shaair’s suspension and ripped into the league office.
“Quite frankly, it’s unfair,” Caserio said.
“I’d say one of the biggest issues, and I probably speak for a lot of teams, not only the Houston Texans, but I think that what all teams ask for, is consistency from the league.
“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.”
He then went on to cite different examples when it came to the league handing down ejections and suspensions to various players across the league, including Detroit Lion Brian Branch and Los Angeles Charger Derwin James, and even former Texan, Kareem Jackson.
“For the league to make some of the commentary that they made about lack of sportsmanship,” Caserio continued. “Lack of coachability, lack of paying attention to the rules, quite frankly, it’s embarrassing.
“I’m talking about a player who’s never been suspended, never been ejected. So now we’re saying that he’s going to be suspended for three games.”
The Texans GM pointed out the levels of inconsistency and how the league has still yet to offer an adequate explanation to the organization for Al-Shaair’s lengthy suspension.
Caserio also noted the rhetoric that’s surrounded Al-Shaair the last couple of days and how it couldn’t be more wrong.
“Where we take umbrage is, is the picture that’s been painted about Azeez,” Caserio said.
“His intentions, who he is as a person, quite frankly, it’s bull****.
“It’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization. We love everything about Azeez Al-Shaair, what he means to this team, what he brings to this team.
“He was elected a captain after being here for four months.”
Al-Shaair took to social media after Sunday to apologize to Lawrence and insist his intentions and how he plays and approaches the game are the right way.
The Texans linebacker’s suspension couldn’t have come at a worse time, as Houston’s next three games are all against dynamic offense.
At home against Miami, at Kansas City, and then at home against Baltimore.
Now is not the time you want to be missing one of your defensive stars, and captains, as you try and slow down Tua Tagovailoa, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
There is a reason Caserio went to bat for his guy in front of the press, an action that will no doubt result in a fine from the league office.
Caserio clearly doesn’t care. He has his guy’s back.
Whether or not Al-Shaair’s suspension is fair can most certainly be debated.
What can’t be debated, is the negative impact Al-Shaair’s absence will have on the Texans defense.
Houston, you may have a problem.
