Shaq Lawson Has Serious Case of Longhorn Syndrome

Yesterday, Clem(p)son DE Shaq Lawson talked to Finebaum about the upcoming draft, his health, and his NCG delusions.

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Yesterday on Finebaum, Clem(p)son junior defensive back Shaq Lawson talked with Paaaawl about his decision to enter the draft this spring.  Shaq spoke well and intelligently; a rarity for anyone who has anything to do with the controversial radio show.

One thing lead to another, and eventually the pair discussed the FBS National Championship game Clem(p)son lost to Alabama in January.

And THAT is when he sounded like an idiot.

Clearly, Mr. Lawson is suffering from a severe case of Longhorn Syndrome.

Side effects include:

-nausea

-vomiting

-hallucinations

-blurred vision

-high-pitched whining

-delusions that a single player would drastically change the outcome of any one football game.

This nasty virus has afflicted pretty much every team Alabama has played since 2009 BCS National Championship Game, when Texas faithful insisted that the Longhorns “so would have killed Bama if Colt McCoy hadn’t gotten hurt.”

Insert “eyeroll” emoji.

I hate to break it to you, Shaq (LOL that’s a total lie – I don’t mind a bit):  Whether you were 100% or not is completely irrelevant.

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Every single football team that has ever played a down had players that were injured. Peewee, high school, college, pro – players get hurt, on both sides of the ball, every game. There is no way to definitively decide if one player’s health would have impacted the outcome of any game.

In any case, who determines the “health percentage”? Is there a reference guide we can flip open to check off various abilities? How do we rate the wellness of a particular joint or muscle? Everyone tolerates pain differently and reactions to injuries vary drastically – how could these be compared from player to player?

We’re pretty much going off the word of the players themselves here, and we all know they insist they’re “GREAT!” before a game so they get to play…..then if they suck or their team loses, suddenly the injury was the problem and not a sub-par performance.

Fans love to latch on to injuries as well, because it legitimizes a loss and allows for continued trash talk.

“We wouldda won BUT Hingle McKringleberry was only playing at 67.89 %.”

Aside from Shaq’s self-determined wellness percentage, does he think the offsides call he drew that cost Clem(p)son 5 yards was helpful? (We can ignore the other 2 times he lined up in the neutral zone but didn’t get the flag).

Shaq Lawson did have 4 tackles and 2 sacks in the NCG, including 2 tackles for a loss. Those aren’t shabby stats.

But, Mr. Lawson, most people will agree that the definitive game changer – or “turning of the tide” if you will – was Marlon Humphrey’s recovery of the Alabama onside kick with 10:34 to go in the 4th, followed by Kenyan Drake’s touchdown return. (Wanna chat about injuries, Shaq? Give Kenyan a call).

Both of those major moments occurred on special teams and – HOLD THE PHONE – Shaq didn’t play on special teams.

I don’t say all of this strictly to bash Lawson and his comments to Paaawl.  Players and fans alike say this kind of thing all the time. Everyone uses injuries to their after-the-fact-advantage, and let’s be honest, no one wants to admit their team was simply outscored.

Speaking of scores, BAMA won 45-40 over Clem(p)son. The Tide were unanimously voted #1 in the AP poll the next day, with the Tigers coming in 2nd.

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So, when I see “If I was 100% the game outcome would have been a little different,”

I really hear, “Whaaa whaaa whaaaa….my team lost…please still draft me in the first round…whaaa whaaaa, whaaa whaaa whaaa.”

You can shouldda-couldda-wouldda all day, Shaq.

Doesn’t change the fact that the University of Alabama DID win the 2015 Football Bowl Series National Championship

……and you didn’t.