Team making progress as practices grow more intense

Editor's note: Former UNLV wide receiver Casey Flair will write a weekly journal for the Las Vegas Review-Journal from training camp with the Locomotives of the United Football League. His journal will appear on Wednesdays:

Last week, members of the Locomotives were anticipating a scrimmage with the California Redwoods on Thursday.

However, with a game between the teams two weeks away, the coaches thought a scrimmage would be counterproductive. So, instead, the teams practiced separately, then worked together for special teams.

It was a great night with media, fans and what seemed like every kid in Casa Grande, Ariz., attending to check out the UFL.

After the 21/2-hour practice, players signed autographs, took pictures and talked to fans. When you are able to interact with young people who look up to you, and even wish one day to be like you, that is humbling.

When you realize that the fans are ecstatic that you took the time to talk with them, it allows you to appreciate all you were given in life. Some of the greatest feelings I have had as an athlete have not been on a football field, but when working with kids.

Coach Jim Fassel called us together for a team meeting Friday morning to express his feelings about Thursday's practice. He explained that after watching the film, it was evident that we were looking more and more like a team. But we still have plenty of work to do leading to our Oct. 8 season opener. He was generally pleased with the progress we've made in such a short training camp.

The second week of camp is usually the toughest. But it is necessary to perfect our craft -- players and coaches alike wouldn't have it any other way. The days seem to get longer, the practices more intense, the body is continually sore and emotions seem to run increasingly higher as the camp moves forward.

There seem to be fewer players every day, either because of injury or personnel cuts.

As a rookie, there is no time to waste on the sideline hurt or in the training room nursing an injury if you want to make the team.

The final 50-man roster will be determined by Thursday.

After Saturday's practice, Coach Fassel invited players, their family and friends to a barbecue. It offered the team a chance to bond further and break up the monotony of training camp.

The food was great, so was the camaraderie, and the team enjoyed its first day off in about two weeks.

Sunday was used as a day to rest, receive treatment for minor aches and pains, as well as take care of personal business. It was back to work Monday morning, with one thing in mind, the home opener in Las Vegas.

Everyone can tell that game time is rapidly approaching. There was a different tension in the air and a different mood set by the coaches and the players.

We look forward to playing in front of the fans at Sam Boyd Stadium in the kickoff to our inaugural season.