Brandon Fusco of Slippery Rock ~ 6.4/300
"Possesses an average-sized frame, has good height and average overall length, but is solidly built through the legs and lower half. Displays good bend in the lower half, can sit into his stance off the snap, but doesn't gain consistent leverage for himself in the run game when asked to drive defenders off the football. Doesn't create great leverage on pop into contact, and isn't a guy who consistently is able to overwhelm on contact as an in-line guy. Is at his best when asked to get out to the second level or reach defenders off his frame. Displays a good first step, breaks down well on contact, extends his arms with good hand placement and keeps his base under him through contact. Does a nice job when asked to chip and release into space, works well on slide down sticking to his man and sealing in space.
Displays above-average range off the football and displays good hand placement when asked to slide his feet through the play and does a nice job sealing his man away from the football. However, doesn't generate a real jolt on contact with his punch. However, has some anchor strength, maintains balance through contact and slides his feet laterally through the play. Does a better job sticking to blocks when asked to anchor and hold the point of attack, but too easily can get rocked initially on contact; is more of a catcher who doesn't do a great job sitting back into his stance and dominating physically like you would expect. Isn't a real puncher and doesn't play nearly as long as you would expect from a kid with his frame. Plays with a mean streak and is always looking to finish blocks. Has the demeanor you like in an offensive lineman and works hard to stick to blocks and maintain leverage with his hands.
Impression: Possesses some natural athleticism and works his hands well to stick to blocks through the play. Has some natural anchor as well and is an intriguing small-school center."
Displays above-average range off the football and displays good hand placement when asked to slide his feet through the play and does a nice job sealing his man away from the football. However, doesn't generate a real jolt on contact with his punch. However, has some anchor strength, maintains balance through contact and slides his feet laterally through the play. Does a better job sticking to blocks when asked to anchor and hold the point of attack, but too easily can get rocked initially on contact; is more of a catcher who doesn't do a great job sitting back into his stance and dominating physically like you would expect. Isn't a real puncher and doesn't play nearly as long as you would expect from a kid with his frame. Plays with a mean streak and is always looking to finish blocks. Has the demeanor you like in an offensive lineman and works hard to stick to blocks and maintain leverage with his hands.
Impression: Possesses some natural athleticism and works his hands well to stick to blocks through the play. Has some natural anchor as well and is an intriguing small-school center."
"Bio: Three-year starter awarded all-Conference honors since his sophomore season.
Positive: Tough, heady center who has been consistent and productive on the college level. Plays with good quickness, keeps his feet moving, and displays better than average lateral blocking range. Terrific position blocker, stays square, and easily seals defenders from the action. Blocks with a nasty attitude, working hard to finish off defenders. Does a nice job consistently bending his knees and getting leverage. Always looking for someone to hit yet plays within himself and shows good awareness, helping out teammates.
Negative: Seems a bit stiff and marginally effective in motion. Struggles adjusting to defenders or hitting a moving target. Has difficulty when faced off against quick, explosive lineman.
Analysis: Fusco has been an outstanding player on the college level and possesses the size, physical skills, and attitude to play in the NFL. He has an upside and could break into a starting lineup once he improves the finer points of his game."
Positive: Tough, heady center who has been consistent and productive on the college level. Plays with good quickness, keeps his feet moving, and displays better than average lateral blocking range. Terrific position blocker, stays square, and easily seals defenders from the action. Blocks with a nasty attitude, working hard to finish off defenders. Does a nice job consistently bending his knees and getting leverage. Always looking for someone to hit yet plays within himself and shows good awareness, helping out teammates.
Negative: Seems a bit stiff and marginally effective in motion. Struggles adjusting to defenders or hitting a moving target. Has difficulty when faced off against quick, explosive lineman.
Analysis: Fusco has been an outstanding player on the college level and possesses the size, physical skills, and attitude to play in the NFL. He has an upside and could break into a starting lineup once he improves the finer points of his game."
"Positives: Reasonably good athlete... Good quickness... Gets off the snap quickly... Quick into his stance... Solid knee bend... Solid lateral movement and slide... Stays square... Maintains good hand placement and uses his hands well... Good position blocker... Does a good job staying on his blocks and sealing defenders from the ball... Thick base... Reasonably good strength and plays with adequate power... Does a nice job on pulls... Can get to the second level and does a solid job blocking in space... Mean streak, aggressive, scrapper... Has some upside.
Negatives: Marginal pad level... Marginal punch... Needs to improve strength at POA... Can be pushed into pocket but works to stay in front of defender... Leans and reaches... Not overly powerful... Doesn't play with good leverage... Doesn't get much movement in the running game."
Negatives: Marginal pad level... Marginal punch... Needs to improve strength at POA... Can be pushed into pocket but works to stay in front of defender... Leans and reaches... Not overly powerful... Doesn't play with good leverage... Doesn't get much movement in the running game."
"Overview: Fusco is the most decorated player in Slippery Rock history - winning the Riminigton AND Upshaw Awards as the best center and lineman in D-II, as well as consensus All-American and invitations to the Cactus, Shrine, and NFLPA Game all-star games and the NFL Combine. Fusco was converted from tackle in 2007 and started all 44 games while at The Rock and was team captain in his junior and senior seasons.
Strengths: Big, smart and physical. Exceptional size for a center, he has long, strong arms that he uses to dominate opposing defenders. Once he 'locks down' it is difficult for the defender to break get around him. In run blocking uses leverage to get under the defender and move him out of the hole - willing and able to make downfield blocks as well. Good balance and footwork in pass protection; able to extend arms and lock-out against the bull-rush. Noted by coaches and teammates as leader and strong-off season worker.
Weaknesses: Only played center since '07, so a case could be made he can use more experience. Not particularly fast which may present an issue when he is asked to pull. From D-2 there will always be questions of competition level - which he can put to rest as he will face D-1 talent at either the Shrine or NFLPA Game in the post-season.
Projection: 5th round."
Strengths: Big, smart and physical. Exceptional size for a center, he has long, strong arms that he uses to dominate opposing defenders. Once he 'locks down' it is difficult for the defender to break get around him. In run blocking uses leverage to get under the defender and move him out of the hole - willing and able to make downfield blocks as well. Good balance and footwork in pass protection; able to extend arms and lock-out against the bull-rush. Noted by coaches and teammates as leader and strong-off season worker.
Weaknesses: Only played center since '07, so a case could be made he can use more experience. Not particularly fast which may present an issue when he is asked to pull. From D-2 there will always be questions of competition level - which he can put to rest as he will face D-1 talent at either the Shrine or NFLPA Game in the post-season.
Projection: 5th round."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Brandon Fusco
When I evaluate any prospect, 1% of it derives from my own analysis of The Tape, and 99% of it is my evaluation of the evaluators: Those guys, quoted and linked, above, whose expertise DWARFS mine.
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Brandon Fusco is saddled with slow Launch Speed, which is going to be extremely tough to get past. Now, he is a natural Croucher, and commands exceptional Lateral Agility, as well, which together produces excellent Viscosity in sticking to his man. He's also got very good Flanking Speed on Pulls + Traps.
He's much more effective in the the Pass Game, where he commands good Strength to resist the Pass Rush. But he has very little Power to push the Point of Attack in the Run Game.
If he doesn't overcome the slow Launch Speed, he is not going to last. However, that may very well be a matter of Coaching, and therefore correctable, as he comes from Division II.
Project.
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
***
Brandon Fusco is saddled with slow Launch Speed, which is going to be extremely tough to get past. Now, he is a natural Croucher, and commands exceptional Lateral Agility, as well, which together produces excellent Viscosity in sticking to his man. He's also got very good Flanking Speed on Pulls + Traps.
He's much more effective in the the Pass Game, where he commands good Strength to resist the Pass Rush. But he has very little Power to push the Point of Attack in the Run Game.
If he doesn't overcome the slow Launch Speed, he is not going to last. However, that may very well be a matter of Coaching, and therefore correctable, as he comes from Division II.
Project.
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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