Locos open camp, quest to repeat

The last time the Locomotives were on the Sam Boyd Stadium turf, they were celebrating their overtime victory in the inaugural United Football League championship game.

That was Nov. 27. Today, about half of that team begins its quest to repeat as the Locos open a three-day minicamp.

Las Vegas opens its season under second-year coach Jim Fassel against the Florida Tuskers on Sept. 17 at Sam Boyd Stadium in a rematch of the title game.

“On paper, we’re a far better team than last year,” Fassel said. “It’s all elevated from a year ago in every respect.”

Minicamp will be more of a mental exercise than a physical one for the 70 players participating in the four sessions.

“This is going to be a teaching and learning camp,” Fassel said. “This is not a physical camp. We don’t need to be beating people up.

“We’ve made a few subtle changes on offense and defense, so it’ll challenge our returning guys. For the new guys, the camp will be an introduction to how we prepare and practice along with picking up the system.”

One player who knows the system is quarterback Tim Rattay. He returns as the No. 1 quarterback after spending last season behind J.P. Losman, who’s now with the Seattle Seahawks.

“I didn’t sign another guy because I believe in Tim,” Fassel said. “He’s our guy, and he’s worked really hard in the offseason getting himself stronger physically.”

Rattay played in one game last season for Las Vegas, throwing for 97 yards and two TDs in a 41-7 win over New York.

■ NOTES — Among the newcomers is NFL veteran linebacker Ed Hartwell, who starred at Cheyenne High School. Former UNLV wide receiver Casey Flair, who spent last season with Las Vegas, was not re-signed. ... The team will practice from 2:15 to 4 p.m. today, at 8 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Saturday and at 8 a.m. Sunday. All practices are open to the public, and admission is free.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.