Former S.C. State OL Lee sets sights on playoffs with Bucs

TAMPA, Fla. - James Lee will play the biggest game of his young career today in New Orleans.

In 2007, Lee was playing at South Carolina State as an offensive lineman honing his craft in hopes of one day being a integral part of an offensive line in the National Football League. Three years later, the former Bulldog will play against the defending Super Bowl champions and division rival Saints as he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers try to make their way into the playoffs.

After giving everything he had at Pro Day and other workouts three years ago, Lee was intiailly signed by the Cleveland Browns in 2008 as an undrafted free agent. After a short stint with Cleveland, Lee...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' James Lee, Jeremy Trueblood battle for right tackle spot

James Lee, who missed most of the last two games with an ankle sprain, took the first reps Thursday at right tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but still alternated with Jeremy Trueblood. Coach Raheem Morris did not name a starter for Sunday's game at New Orleans and said he plans to evaluate the practice tape.

"The first team reps are being split right now. I would have to say James Lee went out first. Trueblood went out second and they went out there and competed again today. I've got to go watch tape and evaluate it, obviously.''


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Tampa Bay Buc's James Lee (SCSU), Muck City and a better Belle Glade

BELLE GLADE, FL - Muck City doesn't sound like a welcoming place. No, pass a sign that says "Welcome to Muck City," and you start looking for an exit pronto. Also, known as Belle Glade, Florida, Muck City's signs read "Her Soil is her Fortune." That's where the name comes from, the rich "muck" or soil that the city lies on which is known for producing sugarcane. In fact, most of the elders in the town of 17,000 make their money off what grows from that muck, working in the local sugar mill.

Aside from the sugarcane, "Muck City" is also known for its powerhouse prep football team, Glades Central, and the number of football players that have made it out of town - former Eagles safety Andre Waters, star tailback Fred Taylor, former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes and former S.C. State offensive tackle and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer James Lee .

24 year old former South Carolina State University's Offensive Tackle James Lee, 6'4"/305; 3 years NFL experience with Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Yes, "Muck City" can also live up to the negative connotation that the name can give off. Lee, the 2007 MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, knows that well. "(Growing up) it was a rough neighborhood," Lee said Monday. "Football basically ... it was every young kids' dream to get out of there and play football." Lee did that much, escaping to Orangeburg where he prospered under Buddy Pough. But, just because he got out didn't mean he was ready to forget where he came from. Instead, Lee, who has spent the summer touring Florida speaking to children about the importance of education, has embraced "Muck City," starting his very own "Muck City Fest."

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OT Lee Looking to Make an Impact

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S.C. State's Lee makes the cut with Cleveland Browns

Photo: OT James Lee.

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.” 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.

SCSU Lee signs NFL free agent contract with Cleveland Browns

While Idaho linebacker David Vobora was being recognized on ESPN as this year’s "Mr. Irrelevant" - the final player selected Sunday in the NFL Draft - James Lee was on the telephone. It was the Cleveland Browns who were anxious to offer the South Carolina State All-American offensive guard a free agent deal.

One hour later, Lee and his agent reached a two-year agreement with the Browns, sending the 2007 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year from one "Dawg Pound" in Orangeburg to another in the Midwest. “Everybody wants to get drafted, but I’m just glad that it’s all over and I know where I’ll be spending my next two years at,” Lee said in a telephone interview.

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Featured Multimedia: SCSU James Lee

Former S.C. State standout James Lee speaks about his performance at Pro Day and the performance of his former teammates.



Scouts from three NFL teams -- the Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears and Saints -- showed up to workout the 25 athletes in attendance for the S.C. State Pro Day.

It has been reported that James Lee, the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, shined. Lee tied for the second most bench-press reps of 225 pounds with 26, ran a 5.2 40, and had a 31.5-inch vertical jump. He also turned in one of the days best broad jumps, 9'7".

"I feel like I went out there and made me some money today by increasing three of the six events, the bench, the broad and the vert, from last week in Athens,Georgia" Lee said. "I talked to the scouts and they said they were impressed. I feel like I put myself in a better predicament."

Lee said he also had a strong workout with the Cleveland Browns Sunday, and that the Browns, Chiefs, Saints and Bears all want him to come in for private workouts. Lee is a former transfer player from the University of Georgia and stands 6-6/300. The Bell Glade, FL/Glades Central HS native played offensive line for the Georgia and S.C. State Bulldogs, respectively.

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