Lance Mehl - #56 - LB - Penn State - Profile

PRO: "Lance has been a force in our defense in the past and we are looking forward to him being one in the future," Walton said. "Hopefully 1985 will bring a new determination to achieve agoal we think he can reach - the Pro Bowl. •....played 16 games and started 15 at RLB in 1984...had stretch of 45 straight starts sr.:pped at Kansas City due to badly sprained ankle vs. New England, but played and started remainder of season ...finished as the team's leading tackler for the 4th consecutive year with total of 172 (105 solos) ...also credited with 4 passes defensed and was 2nd on team with 5 OB sacks ...was Jets'leading tackler in 5 games ...had season high 16 tackles vs. Pittsburgh, Colts and Giants ...was defensive leader at Buffalo with 15 tackles and 2 sacks ...other sacks came vs. Cleveland, Colts and Giants ...hard hitter who was 2nd on team with 3forced fumbles ...had finest season in 1983 when he was voted MVP by his teammates and selected all-AFC by Pro Football Weekly, USA Today and UPI. ..was the team's leading tackler (205 total) and also led the club and was tied for 3rd in the AFC with 7 interceptions, more than any LB in the NFL ...also had 8 passes defensed and 2'12 sacks ...had incredible Monday Night game at New Orleans and was voted game ball after returning an interception 34 yards for his 1st pro TD in addition to 18 tackles, 1 sack and a fumble recovery ...was Jets' leading tackler in 7 games during season ...was leading tackler in 1982 with total of99 (53 solos) while starting all 9games ...also had 2 interceptions, 4 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles in regular season ...gained much deserved national publicity when he saved playoff win vs. Raiders with 2 interceptions in last 3 minutes in addition to having 9 tackles and a forced fumble in that contest... topped team forthe 1st time in 1981 (168 total-112solos) in only his 2nd season while playing in 15 games - 2at LLB, 13 at RLB ...also led Jets LBs with 3 interceptions ...played in 14games as rookie in 1980 and started at Miami ...also performed well on special teams as rookie.

COLLEGE: "Mehl may be as good as any inside linebacker we've ever had at Penn State," said coach Joe Paterno ...2nd team AII- America (AP and UPI) as a senior ...named 1st team All-East by AP and New York Times ...defensive co-captain in 1979 when he led the Nittany Lions in tackles (99 total) forthe 2nd straight season ...played in Hula Bowl ...had 2 interceptions in 1979 and 4 in 1978.

PERSONAL: Wife Linda ...sons Lance Jr. 4, Lucas 2, Logan 1...has degree in industrial arts educational. ..did work in real estate in offseason ...lives on LI year-round ...3-sport captain in Bellaire High in his birthplace and hometown of Bellaire, OH ...was all-state in football and all-conference in baseball and basketball ...worked underground in the coal mines for 3 summers in Ohio.

From 1985 Jets yearbook.