Small gains elemental to Clarett’s comeback

Tempting as it might be to make up for lost time, Maurice Clarett is in no rush to prove that he can still play football.

The running back is taking baby steps as he tries to resurrect his career with the United Football League's expansion Omaha Nighthawks.

"I don't get too ahead of myself," the 26-year-old Clarett said Wednesday from Omaha, Neb. "I'm taking it day by day and living in the moment."

He prefers not to look back because the picture isn't too rosy.

Clarett led Ohio State to the national championship as a freshman in 2002, then sued the NFL for the right to enter the draft early but lost his court battle. He was eventually drafted in the third round by the Denver Broncos in 2005 but was cut in training camp.

Clarett was arrested on two counts of armed robbery and carrying a concealed weapon in January 2006. He was sentenced to 7½ years in prison and served 3½ years before being released in August.

The Nighthawks signed him a week later, and Clarett said he was able to shake off the rust fairly quickly.

"It took time to get comfortable with the playbook, and the only other adjustment I was unfamiliar with was the conditioning part," he said. "I wasn't able to sprint and explode right away because my groin and my hamstrings tightened up.

"But I feel good. I'm in pretty good shape now. I'm getting a lot of reps in practice. I feel good about things."

Omaha (2-0), which plays the Locomotives (1-1) at 7 p.m. Friday at Sam Boyd Stadium, is taking its time with Clarett.

He has played sparingly, logging five carries for 12 yards and one reception for 6 yards. He hopes to play a bigger role.

"I knew there would be an adjustment period," he said. "I've been away from the game, and the game moves pretty fast. But I'm taking care of my body and my mind, and my teammates have been very supportive of me."

NFL veterans Jeff Garcia and Ahman Green have been mentoring Clarett.

"They've helped me every way possible," Clarett said. "It's good to have them around."

While in prison, Clarett never gave up on his dream of playing football again. He tried to stay in shape and even went back to school, enrolling in a distance-learning program at Ohio State.

Now that he's out of prison, Clarett hopes to earn his college degree.

"It's been part of my life since I was a kid," Clarett said of football. "But I'm getting a chance to do something I love."

Clarett said as long as he's moving forward with his life each day, he's satisfied. He insists the NFL is not on his radar.

"I didn't have any expectations," Clarett said. "I just wanted to come in and do my best. So far, I've had some success, and I hope there'll be more to come."

■ NOTES -- Las Vegas signed place-kicker Steven Hauschka and released Parker Douglass. Hauschka, who was in training camp with the Detroit Lions, is the Locos' third kicker this season. Brooks Rossman was injured in training camp, and Douglass proved ineffective, going 4-for-6 on field goals and coming up short on his kickoffs. .... DeDe Dorsey was the UFL's Offensive Player of the Week after posting 204 all-purpose yards in Las Vegas' 20-17 win over Florida on Sept. 30.

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