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Editor's note: This is the third in a series of diary/blog submissions, accompanied by videos and still photos Rock Sports Information Director Bob McComas will file to chronicle the activities of Brandon Fusco as the first-ever SRU football student athlete to participate in the Under Armour Senior Bowl, the premier postseason football game for aspiring NFL draft prospects.

MOBILE, Ala. -- Paul Alexander just completed his 17th season as member of the National Football League Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff, 16th season as offensive line coach and eighth season as assistant head coach. So he knows what he's talking about when it comes to evaluating talent.

This week, Alexander is part of the Bengals staff coaching the North squad in the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl. The Rock's Brandon Fusco is one of his students.

Alexander was gracious enough following Wednesday morning's North team practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium to take a few moments and talk about Fusco's performance this week and prospects for the future.

“The impressive thing,” Alexander said, “is he's done a good job competing against the Division I guys and he hasn't backed down at all. He's done a real nice job.

“He's tough kid, he's smart, he's a good kid and he's a good blocker.”

We asked Alexander: Would you like to have him on the Bengals? His answer was succinct: “Sure.”

Coming from a man with the credentials of Alexander, that one-word answer speaks very well for Fusco's chances of playing in the NFL.

Kyle Caskey, the Bengals' Offensive Quality Control Coach, has also worked with Fusco this week and was also very complimentary of his performance.

“So far, Brandon's done a really good job,” Caskey said. “Coming from a smaller school as opposed to some of these guys, he'd really stepped and hasn't let anything intimidate him. He's taken on all the guys and … has held his ground and doesn't get pushed around at all.”

For the complete interviews with Alexander and Caskey, click on the link at the top of this page.

Fusco's performance in the practices leading up to Saturday's 3 p.m. Central time, nationally televised (NFL Network) game is probably more important than his effort in the actual game, SRU graduate and former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker coach Bill Shuey said.

“What Brandon does in the practices will carry more weight because of how closely everyone here can watch what he does,” Shuey explained. “A lot of the NFL coaches, scouts, etc. will head home after today's (Wednesday) workouts, so they won't be here to see the game.

“They'll all get a copy of the game film back in their office,” Shuey added, “but it won't have the same impact and carry the same weight as seeing it in person.”

Fusco and the rest of the Senior Bowl participants get one more chance to show their stuff in a practice setting before kickoff Saturday. The final full workout will be held Thursday morning, followed by a “walk through” session Friday morning and then the game Saturday.

Sandwiched between the walk through and the game will be two significant off-field activities. Players will visit the USA Children's and Women's Hospital in Mobile early Friday afternoon, then take part in the Coca-Cola Meet The Players event at the Mobile Convention Center in the late afternoon.

Shuey seeks job: Shuey said he wasn't real surprised to learn Tuesday his contract with the Eagles would not renewed in light of the firing of defensive coordinator Sean McDermott go and the departure of defensive backs coach Dick Jauron for the same position with the Cleveland Browns.

Shuey remained upbeat while talking with The Rock contingent (Head Football Coach George Mihalik, former Rock standout/longtime benefactor Jerry Bejbl and me), so we can only hope he's able to land on his feet and secure another job as an NFL coach or maybe even on the college level.

That's all we have for today. We'll bring you updates the rest of the week along with video interviews and still-picture photo galleries.

Until then, stay warm and dry. It's cool (high 40's, low 50's) but sunny here in Mobile. Great football weather.

GO ROCK!!

Bob McComas
Sports Information Director