The Metrodome has been good to Tyler Roehl. He's hoping he can be good to the stadium's main tenant.
The former North Dakota State running back accepted an invitation to attend the Minnesota Vikings' three-day mini-camp later this month. He will try to make the team as a fullback.
"I need to show them that I didn't lose a step after I got hurt," Roehl said, "and that I worked my tail off to get back into shape."
He tore his ACL last year during an offseason workout with the Seattle Seahawks, who released him last month. Seattle signed Roehl as a free agent - the first West Fargo graduate to ink an NFL contract.
He said his agent, Matt Striegel of Ascent Sports Management in Boulder, Colo., made calls throughout the NFL and the Vikings were interested.
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"They said something like, 'We remember him from last year and we would love to bring him in for a tryout,' " Roehl said. "It's a post-draft mini-camp deal and that will be exciting."
The mini-camp invite is not a contract.
"I need to prove to them to earn a contract," he said.
He proved his worth at the Metrodome in 2007, rushing for a school-record 263 yards against the University of Minnesota. Forever a big fan of the Vikings, that just adds to the excitement of it all, he said.
He'll be competing with returning fullback Naufahu Tahi for a job. The Vikings also use their tight ends, like veteran Jim Kleinsasser, in the backfield on certain situations.
"I have to be able to match up with the fullbacks at that level," he said. "I have to show them that I can be a third-down back and I have to show them overall athleticism."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546
