UFL’s Tim Rattay faces challenge to succeed in quarterback-loaded league

By Case Keefer (contact)

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

At the start of the United Football League offseason, Las Vegas Locomotives coach Jim Fassel wanted to be honest with quarterback Tim Rattay.

Fassel told Rattay, J.P. Losman's backup on last year's championship team, there was a chance he could be Las Vegas' quarterback in 2010. But Fassel also said he planned to scout around and see if there were any other signal-callers he was more interested in.

"As time went on, I communicated with him and told him there's no one out there who I think is better than you," Fassel said. "And there wasn't."

That was a vow of confidence from Fassel, especially considering the quarterbacks other UFL teams inked this year. The Sacramento Mountain Lions added Daunte Culpepper, the Hartford Colonials snagged Josh McCown and the expansion Omaha Nighthawks recently signed Jeff Garcia.

Between Rattay, Culpepper, McCown and Garcia, the UFL will feature four new starting quarterbacks who were NFL starting quarterbacks in 2004.

"It's a dynamic group," Rattay said. "It's going to be good. It's going to be exciting and super-competitive. Every team got better."

It's hard to imagine any of the other quarterbacks will have as much pressure as Rattay. After all, he's taking over for the defending UFL champions.

But Rattay also has arguably the biggest advantage in playing for Fassel, who is renowned for his work with quarterbacks. During his NFL days, Fassel mentored quarterbacks such as John Elway and Kerry Collins.

Losman said the reason he played in the UFL last season was for the chance to work with Fassel.

"It's awesome to have that library of information on these plays because he's been running them for so long," Rattay said. "He can tell you where the highest percentage of completions have come out of in certain coverages and everything. It's been good. I've learned a lot in the last year and a half."

Rattay looked ready to take the UFL by storm in Tuesday's practice at Sam Boyd Stadium. He zipped numerous passes into tight spaces for his receivers during a scrimmage, leaving the defense noticeably frustrated with players yelling and slapping their pads.

"He's made some special throws," Fassel said. "Tim looks stronger right now, and I know he's stronger. He really spent the offseason working and he lifts vigorously now. He needed that, and so I'm very pleased with his reads and his command with the offense is outstanding."

The Locomotives are now entering their second week of practice preparing for the season opener Saturday, Sept. 18 against the Florida Tuskers. They will hold a fan fest and open scrimmage at 6 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Rattay is happy to be a part of it. He didn't want Fassel to find anyone else. Rattay knew he was the guy for the job.

"The guys on this team, I love, and the city is great," Rattay said. "I wanted to be here No. 1 and starting for this team. I'm just glad it worked out that way."

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.