Daniels on board for team

The former Liberty High standout finished a commitment in the Caribbean.

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Lew Daniels, a 1998 Liberty High graduate, is practicing with the Mahoning Valley Thunder after rejoining the team earlier this week.

The former West Virginia University standout recently finished his work as a high school physical education teacher in the Caribbean.

“I made the team in March, but had to go finish my job and handle personal business,” said Daniels, who played at Liberty for coach Jeff Whittaker. “The Thunder had a spot open, so now I’m back home for the summer.”

Track champion

Daniels, 27, who was a state track champion in the 100 and 200 meters his senior year, had an opportunity to perform for the NFL, but while running for the West Virginia University track team, he seriously pulled a hamstring five days before his pro workouts.

“I ran a 4.6 [40-yard dash] and that’s the most pain I’ve had in my life,” Daniels said. “But it was my one shot, so I had to go for it.”

About eight months later, Daniels showed up for another NFL tryout, but the fallout from the injury took its toll again.

“Now I’m here,” he said.

Daniels was a cornerback and four-year letterman at WVU before graduating in 2003.

After college, the 6-foot, 195-pound Daniels played some indoor ball the next three years.

One of the teams was the Ohio Valley Greyhounds in Wheeling, W.Va.

With Mahoning Valley, Daniels is a defensive back and defensive specialist in the middle.

Not ready yet

He’ll play no offense, nor will he be dressed for tonight’s game against the Manchester Wolves at the Chevrolet Centre, but he’ll be on the sidelines.

For now, Daniels is trying to get in shape.

“I’m trying to catch the speed of the game and understand the rules,” he said.

Daniels said his body is slowly getting used to the game again.

“My mind and eyes are starting to see things a lot clearer than before,” he said. “It’s just a matter of time. I was only here for a week [in March]. The more I get into it, the more my body gets used to it, the more I understand the rules, hash marks, etc. The alignments and things like that are some of the biggest things that affect football. I can’t control how fast a guy runs, but I can control where I am and what I’m taking away from him.”

Daniels said his previous indoor experience was with four defensive backs.

More space, fewer backs

“They did long motions and everything, but the game wasn’t nearly as fast as af2 because they had four DBs. With three defensive backs, there’s a lot more stuff open.

“There’s more ground to cover and a lot more holes. Outdoors, there are two corners and two safeties. In af2, two linebackers can’t go out of a certain area or they’ll be penalized. That leaves a lot of holes and spaces and man-to-man coverage which makes the game a lot tougher.”

For now, Daniels is behind on learning defenses.

“Once I get caught up, then I can step on field and show my athletic talents.”

bassetti@vindy.com