Shaq Lawson became a Bill last night – which I’m sure you’re well aware of. I’ll be jumping into the x’s and o’s a good bit on him next week along with the other draftees, but before that I wanted to reach out as Joe had in the past to folk that know the draftees best. So, as how we normally do it here at the site whenever a new guy comes into town, I reached out to a writer who would have firsthand knowledge about what player X did at his old stomping grounds.
We are joined by a writer who has covered Clemson for almost 20 years. David Wood is the senior writer for Tigernet.com and he dishes the dirt on what Lawson brings to the Bills’ table. David was quite generous with his time after Sammy Watkins was drafted, so I approached him about Shaq in an effort to get a hint of the player – and the person – the Bills drafted 19th overall.
1. How would you describe his time at school?
Way too short!!! He’s a great kid who had to wait his turn behind some other guys who are currently in the NFL but he was patient and never sulked or pouted – he’s just not wired that way. In fact, I never heard a bad word about him from a player or coach during his entire time as a Tiger.
2. I saw that Shaq was quite outspoken about the loss of his dad, how has that manifested off the field at Clemson?
Shaq had to be the man of the family from an early age, and he knew that he could use football as a way to take care of his family. I remember watching him walk of the practice field last August, drenched in sweat, and I asked him what drives him to work so hard. His answer? He was going to do whatever it took to make Clemson successful and do whatever he needed to do to make sure his mom and siblings have a better life.
3. What are his strengths/weaknesses?
Strengths are leadership and a high motor. He talks ALL THE TIME and he is always laughing. Other players are naturally drawn to him. But he also knows when to be serious – Clemson learned that three players were being sent from the Orange Bowl prior to the Oklahoma game, and he was all business on the field the next day. He was all over anyone who dared crack a smile or treat practice like a joke. Weaknesses….He has to learn more of the art of getting to the passer. He faced some good left tackles in college, but he will face a star every week in the NFL. He will have to get better with his feet and learn to read run-pass a little better.
4. Is there anything fans outside of your team wouldn’t know about him?
He is indeed named after former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. Lawson was longer than most babies, and his mother decided that she would name her son after the NBA star.
5. How do you think he’ll fit with the Bills? Particularly since the Bills like to Blitz their DL from a linebacker position and at times drop them into coverage?
I think he plays better a little lighter than he is right now. If the Bills want to use him as an edge rusher he has to get leaner and faster. He has excellent punch with his hands and he’s quick…if he gets a little lighter without losing burst or power he could be dangerous. He didn’t do a lot of that at Clemson – he was more of a hand in the dirt kind of player – but if he gets down around 265 he could fill that role.
6. Any games we should point fans to as “the game” that he stood out?
All you have to do is go back and watch the National Championship game against Alabama. I watched him limp through practice a few days before and I watched him limp – severely – off the bus at the stadium. I then watched how gimpy he was in pregame warm-ups and I thought there was no way they could get snaps out of him. Instead, he went out and dominated, playing on heart and guts for four quarters. If Clemson had won, people would still be talking about the show he put on.
7. Any stats jump out during his time at your school?
He had 12.5 sacks last season, even though he drew most of the double-teams on the defensive line. I don’t think anyone gave him a realistic shot at double-digit sacks last season and he knew that. He was on a mission….
8. Any other thoughts on him?
I’ve known Shaq for years – his proximity to Clemson made it easy to know who he was from an early age. He’s just one of the good guys – I’ve never heard anything bad about him. All kids screw up and make mistakes, but he’s been one that has been focused and serious for a long time. He’s also a winner.
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