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BEREA, OHIO - The jersey number 78 is what Cleveland Brown free-agent signee James Lee wore at South Carolina State University and briefly at the University of Georgia.
Aside from the different color scheme, there’s one feature which makes this particular jersey more awe-inspiring than any the former All-American offensive lineman has ever worn - an NFL logo.
“I was just real excited, ready to go and show the world what I had,” Lee said. “It was just a great feeling.”
Last Thursday, Lee started the fulfillment of his lifelong dream by participating in the Cleveland Browns’ rookie minicamp. He joined 54 rookies with equally aspiring hopes of making the team roster during three days of workouts held at the team’s practice facility in Berea, Ohio - located 15 minutes outside of Cleveland.
“They had us tied down from meetings to the practice field,” said Lee, when asked if he had a chance to tour the city of Cleveland.
After spending the first day completing physicals, paperwork and meeting with the coaches, Lee got to work on his new job. For the next two days, Lee participated in one-on-one and team blocking drills against other rookies and got his first sample of the Browns’ playbook.
“It’s hard, it’s a challenge and you just going to have to focus and that’s something I plan on doing,” he said. “There’s a lot of terminology and it will be challenging for me.”
The Browns also used Lee throughout the offensive line, ultimately settling him at left tackle behind Rookie All-Pro Joe Thomas. Nevertheless, Lee interpreted this as a positive development in that the team wants him to work closely with arguably their best offensive lineman.
“They were really impressed, especially after talking to them and after everything was over, they told me to keep working out and keep working on my sets and when I come back on (May 15th) to be ready to go.”
Another good sign for Lee was the fact he was the only offensive lineman retained out of the three signed by Cleveland during draft weekend. The Browns cut Robert Powell of Purdue and Eric Young of Tennessee, while signing Clemson’s Nate Bennett, one of seven tryout players kept on the roster.
That list did not include Lee’s former SCSU teammate running back DeShawn Baker who was trying to make a comeback after spending the past year recovering from a torn meniscus and torn cartilage to his right knee. Baker did indicate to Lee that the Browns may invite him back for training camp in July.
“I was really disappointed because I felt like he went up there and did his best,” Lee said. “He was one of the best running backs out there. But, it’s a business and I can’t control that.”
Despite the cold nature of his new employer, Lee said there’s a strong family atmosphere around the team which provides a strong incentive to strive for success.
“Everything is together and they really care about you,” he said. “They push you and make you work hard. Knowing that from the jump, that made me want to go harder.”
T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5547. Check out his blog, Following the Bulldogs, on-line at TheTandD.com.