Reporting for duty
MINNEAPOLIS — The NFL lockout is over. So is Brandon Fusco’s wait.
The Seneca Valley High School and Slippery Rock University graduate flew to Minnesota Wednesday morning and took part in his first official meeting with the Vikings later in the day.
“It’s a dream come true for me. This is finally happening,” Fusco said. “The plane took off at 9 a.m., landed at 11 and I was handed a playbook as soon as I got there.”
The 6-foot-4, 313-pound center was a sixth-round draft pick of the Vikings in April. He became the highest NFL selection in SRU history.
Then the waiting game began as the lockout persisted.
“It’s been a crazy ride,” Fusco admitted. “You’d hear a positive report through the media, then ... nothing happens. It was that way the whole summer. It was frustrating the hell out of me.”
Fusco and other draft selections cannot sign a contract with their respective teams until Friday. The Vikings officially report to camp Sunday.
Minnesota signed 14 undrafted free agents this week. Three of those — Rod Huntley of UTEP, Byron Isom of Auburn and Conan Amituana of Arizona — are guards. The team signed no additional centers.
Fusco said he anticipates no problems in getting a contract done Friday. His agent, Alan Herman, could not be reached for comment.
“Alan and I believe their offer will be good and we’ll take it,” Fusco said. “I want that contract over and done with before camp arrives so I don’t have to think about it.”
Fusco worked out on his own five days a week all summer. He said he’s reporting to camp “in the best shape I’ve ever been.”
“Taking care of my body and continuing to work hard paid off at the Senior Bowl and at the NFL Combine. I expect it to pay off here,” he said.
He met with Vikings line coach Jeff Davidson and the team’s offensive linemen Wednesday. They went over the run-blocking schemes.
No physical workouts will be permitted by any player until he is signed.
“All the more reason to get something done,” Fusco said. “I can’t wait to get on the field.”
The Vikings open their preseason schedule at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at Tennessee.
