Lineman from the Valley looks to make difference

Learning the af2 rules has been enjoyable for the former YSU player.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jamel Lee of the Mahoning Valley Thunder knows there are a lot of two-way lineman looking to climb the ladder in the af2 league to the parent Arena Football League and hopefully into the NFL.
That's why the former Youngstown State lineman from St. Peter Chanel High in Bedford is trying to specialize and become known for some aspect of his blocking game that will set him apart from the crowd of linemen, and draw the attention of scouts, coaches and fans who will come to see his team play.
So he is focusing on making two blocks a play to give himself some sort of trademark that he can become famous for and to market.
"I want to show my athletic ability. I want to show that I can handle my man on every play. I want to make my block on the line and then go down-field and make another block," said the 6-foot-3, 290-pound lineman, who played four years at YSU as a two-way lineman ,and earned three varsity letters. His final season was in 2005.
"I want to make two blocks a play. I'd like to become known as Two-Blocks Lee or Down-Field Lee." Because, "I'm trying to move up to a higher level."
To that end, he also is preparing to participate in some NFL combines after the NFL Draft is held on April 28-29.
Eyes Jungle Kats Saturday
Meanwhile, Lee will continue his quest for double blocks per play on Saturday when the undefeated Thunder (2-0) hosts the Cincinnati Jungle Kats at the Chevrolet Centre at 7:05 p.m.
To live up to his two-block-per-play nickname, Lee said he has been developing his blocking techniques since joining the Thunder late in the preseason just one week before the new franchise launched play.
"It has been a challenge, and I'm the biggest critic of myself, but I'm getting comfortable and showing improvement," said Lee. "The field is smaller, and everything is closer to you. There is quicker movement, much quicker."
Lee also has had to learn the af2 rules, which has been a work in progress for him.
"I am adjusting to the different rules. Some of them are different from college rules," said Lee. "That will help me to control the way I do my job -- the legal way."
Is enjoying new game
He said that arena football is new to him, but he is enjoying learning how to play with unfamiliar rules.
"The game is interesting. I never paid a lot of attention to the arena game. I'm kind of enjoying it," said Lee, who considers himself a late addition to the team and is grateful for all the support he has received.
"When I came in a week before the season started, my teammates helped me a lot. They worked with me and helped me to get better for the first game," said Lee, the son of Ed and Barbara Lee, who graduated from YSU this past December with a bachelor of arts degree in communications.
Lee said that when he quits playing football, he would like to get into the public relations field with a professional sports teams.
"I have a passion about sports," said Lee, who doesn't know how he ended up with the Thunder while seeking to continue his playing career..
"It just happened," said Lee, who had no other football leads at the time. "And things happen for a reason."
kovach@vindy.com