Locos try to foster community following
Las Vegas’ pro football team was back in town, and this time it has no plans to fly back to Arizona.
The Locomotives are putting down roots as they prepare to launch their second United Football League season, and the process began Friday with the start of the team’s three-day minicamp at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Sporting their own team colors of red, black and silver this year instead of the UFL’s scheme of green and blue, 70 players — 29 of whom own a UFL championship ring from last year’s title victory — worked out in front of second-year coach Jim Fassel and a beefed-up staff of a dozen assistants.
Quarterback Tim Rattay looked sharp in throwing to familiar targets Adam Bergen, Tab Perry and Andrae Thurman, and Marcel Shipp ran the ball strong out of the backfield.
“It’s much better,” said Rattay, expected to be the team’s starter when the Locos open defense of their title Sept. 17 against Florida at Sam Boyd. “The talent level is better than last year. We have more coaches. The new guys are picking things up quickly.
“Everyone’s excited to be here. You want to be involved in the community and build something.”
Ed Hartwell knows something about the community, having grown up in Las Vegas and starred at Cheyenne High School. The 32-year-old former NFL linebacker is trying to revive his career in the UFL. He wasn’t surprised at the professionalism displayed in the minicamp’s first day.
“My expectations were high,” said Hartwell, who last played in an NFL regular-season game in 2006. “When you see the quality of the coaches and the players here, you know it’s good football. It had an NFL feel to it — the drills, the playbook, everything.”
Fassel said he loved the enthusiasm and the fact that so many of the new players have quickly picked up the plays.
“I thought first time out of the box, it was good,” he said. “I like personality guys, and we’ve got them. Our guys enjoy playing here, and they got after it pretty good.”
Fassel said if the Locos and the UFL are to be successful, this year has to be significantly better in every aspect.
The fact that the Locos are training where they will play their home games, instead of practicing in Casa Grande, Ariz., like last season, and have their own team colors is a big step in the right direction.
“I want to put our own stamp on our team,” said Fassel, who now doubles as the team’s general manager. “Last year, the league controlled everything. Now, we have some control.”
About a dozen people watched Friday’s practice. The team expects a lot more today for the team’s 8 a.m. workout, which is being billed as the Locos’ “FanFest.”
■ NOTES — The team will also practice from 2:15 to 4:30 p.m. today. The session is open to the public. ... Former UNLV defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell is on Fassel’s 12-man coaching staff. Therrell, who spent three years as a member of Mike Sanford’s staff, is working with the Locos’ linebackers.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
