Locos protect 20 players from inaugural season
The Locomotives took the first step Thursday in attempting to repeat as United Football League champions with the announcement of their protected player list.
Coach Jim Fassel was able to keep only 20 players from last year's roster, but most of the Las Vegas team's top performers from 2009 were on the list.
Included were running back Marcel Shipp, wide receivers Andrae Thurman and Tab Perry, tight end Adam Bergen, quarterback Tim Rattay, linebackers Teddy Lehman and Brandon Moore and defensive backs Wale Dada, Nick Turnbull and Trey Young.
"Only protecting 20 players from the championship winning roster that we assembled last year was a difficult decision," Fassel said in a statement. "Many more of those players deserved to be back on this team. But football is a competitive business, and we made our decision and have protected a group we feel is balanced and talented."
Some of the unprotected players could find their way onto the roster of the expansion team in Omaha, Neb. The UFL announced Thursday it has added Omaha as its fifth franchise. The yet-to-be-named team, which begins play this fall, will be coached by Jeff Jagodzinski and will have its expansion draft today.
With the protected list, the Locos will have the opportunity to keep the core of their team together. Shipp was fourth in the UFL in rushing with 291 yards and three touchdowns. Bergen had 30 receptions and averaged 10.5 yards per catch, and Thurman had 16 catches and Perry 12.
Rattay saw limited action backing up J.P. Losman last season. If he decides to return to Las Vegas, he figures to have the inside track for the starting quarterback job. Losman is with the Oakland Raiders.
Lehman led the UFL in tackles with 34, and Turnbull led the league with three interceptions. Dada had two interceptions.
The Locos will have open tryouts at noon (PDT) Saturday at Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix.
Players seeking more information on the tryouts should contact the league at footballoperations@ufl-football.com.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
