Texans GM Nick Caserio blasts NFL over embarrassing Azeez Al-Shaair suspension statement

Texans general manager Nick Caserio isn’t going to let the NFL slide for what he deemed “embarrassing” comments about suspended linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.Caserio went scorched earth on the league and those issuing what he calls “bulls–t” descriptions of Al-Shaair after the linebacker received 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 game.NFL vice president of policy and rules administration Jon Runyan released a scathing comment in explaining why Al-Shaair received 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 said Tuesday during his team’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 much criticism for his hit on Lawrence Sunday, with the linebacker flying in with his forearm and knocking Lawrence’s head into the grass after the quarterback had begun his slide.The 27-year-old said he did not intend to hurt Lawrence and apologized for hurting him, although Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans chalked it up to quarterbacks sliding late in an attempt to gain an extra yard.The NFL wasn’t buying that explanation, with Runyan coming down harsh on the linebacker.It’s worth noting that Runyan’s language Tuesday bared similarities to how he addressed Chargers star defensive back Derwin James after levying a one-game suspension against him earlier in the year, saying, “Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated.”Runyan also said that Al-Shaair also “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 pla...