Locomotives kick off mini-camp at Sam Boyd Stadium

By Case Keefer (contact)

Saturday, June 19, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Tim Rattay dropped back to pass and glanced downfield to see receiver Andrae Thurman wide open after breaking out of a cluttered secondary.

Rattay launched a spiral that landed right in Thurman’s hands. It was just like old times Friday afternoon at Sam Boyd Stadium for Rattay and Thurman.

“I’ve played catch with Tim since I was 15,” Thurman said. “His brother went to school with my brother, so we’ve known each other for a long time.”

Rattay used to throw to Thurman a decade ago when the two were high school standouts in Phoenix. Now, they project to be the two most valuable offensive commodities for the Las Vegas Locomotives in their upcoming season.

Thurman was the leading receiver for the Locomotives, who won the inaugural United Football League championship, last year. Rattay was the back-up quarterback but will be taking over for the departed J.P. Losman this year.

“It’s crazy,” Rattay said. “That’s the beauty of it. We wind up not only in the same league but on the same team.”

The Locomotives are holding a mini-camp this weekend to start preparations for the 2010 season, which will kick off Sept. 18 when they host the Florida Tuskers in a UFL Championship Game rematch.

They will also practice at 8 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Saturday and at 8 am. Sunday. All practices are open to fans, and a free fan fest will follow Saturday morning’s workout.

Las Vegas coach Jim Fassel said he liked what he saw in the first official practice of the year.

“We are definitely a more talented team than last year,” Fassel said. “Hopefully it will translate to another championship, but the team has to come together first.”

Rattay and Thurman are at the center of Fassel’s high hopes. Fassel said he always knew Rattay would inherit the job if Losman didn’t return.

When Losman signed an NFL contract with the Seattle Seahawks last month, Fassel never thought about searching for a new quarterback. He called Rattay and told him to get ready.

“I’ve been around Brett Favre and Steve McNair and I can say Tim has the same intangibles those guys brought, as far as having the calmness and cool about him,” Thurman said. “It’s going to pay off huge for us.”

Rattay spent seven years in the NFL and started 18 games, most of them during his time with the San Francisco 49ers from 2000 to 2005. He holds the 49ers record for most completions in a game with 39 in a 2004 victory against the Arizona Cardinals.

Although Thurman has considerably less NFL experience — he only recorded nine career receptions with the Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans in 2004 and 2005 — he has found his niche in the UFL.

“He’s really come a long way as a receiver,” Fassel said. “He’s developed and got a lot better. I trust him. That’s the best thing I can say, when I trust a guy.”