Progress pleases Huyghue

UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue dropped by the Locomotives' training camp Thursday and surveyed the progress being made by not only the defending champions but also his upstart football league.

Huyghue hopes to be greeted by a crowd of 20,000 when he returns Sept. 18 to see Las Vegas play the Florida Tuskers at Sam Boyd Stadium to open the United Football League's second season.

"We're so far ahead of where we were a year ago in every respect, you can't compare," Huyghue said.

He wouldn't say how many season tickets the Locos have sold but said he is pleased with the effort.

"It's an incremental process," Huyghue said. "You don't build it overnight. But I think we have a realistic chance to get 20,000 for opening night."

The UFL will field five teams this year, with three more coming on board in 2011 (Virginia, Portland, Ore., and a third team to be determined, probably in Texas).

Huyghue said the UFL will be ready to take advantage if there is an NFL lockout next year.

"This year is important, but 2011 is the big year for the league," Huyghue said. "I believe there is going to be a lockout and we're going to be the only professional football out there. We have to be ready to display our product to America and put our best foot forward."

Huyghue said the league is prepared to switch from playing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to Sunday if there's no NFL.

The UFL has also been talking to TV networks about paying the league to show its games. Currently, the UFL buys time on Versus and has a trade agreement with HDNet.

"It's a possibility, depending on what happens with the NFL," Huyghue said of the UFL appearing on ESPN, Fox or NBC. "But whether or not there's a lockout, our intention is to continue to build the league and grow it in markets where fans enjoy the game."

Huyghue is touring all five UFL training camps.

He said the expansion Omaha Nighthawks are way ahead of where the original four UFL franchises were a year ago.

Omaha has signed running back Ahman Green and veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia -- both four-time NFL Pro Bowlers -- and is giving former Ohio State star running back Maurice Clarett a tryout.

"It has the feel of a legitimate pro franchise," Huyghue said. "We've had 40 players join NFL teams already this summer, and we had 43 last year. We've even had four or five players turn down the NFL to play here because they felt they had a better opportunity to play with us."

Huyghue said details of the Virginia franchise will be announced next week and it will be a regional team.

He said eight teams playing a 14-game schedule in 2011 is ideal for the UFL at this stage of its development.

"Our owners understand this is a long process," Huyghue said. "But they're encouraged by the growth and the way our product is being perceived and accepted. We believe we're on the right track."

Huyghue called Las Vegas the league's model franchise, pointing to the stability of the organization under coach and general manager Jim Fassel.

"They have had a plan in place from the beginning, and they're doing things the right way," Huyghue said. "They're building a great facility (near McCarran International Airport), and they've got a very talented team that is well-coached."

■ NOTES -- The team will host a FanFest at 6 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium. The event will culminate with a scrimmage at 8. Admission is free. ... Fassel held starting quarterback Tim Rattay out of most of the drills Thursday as he battles through fatigue in his right arm and elbow. Rattay will watch most of today's practice as well but is expected to participate in Saturday's scrimmage. ... The Locos added wide receiver Brian Hernandez to the roster, bringing back a player who was with the team last season but was left off the protected list.

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