The Locos : Ready for a 3 Peat!

The Las Vegas Locomotives are the only team to win a UFL Championship trophy since the league began two seasons ago. What sets the team apart from the other 4 teams in the league? How do the players keep up the edge and not get complacent? What is the key to repeating as champions in the league for the third straight year?

These are the questions many football fans are asking themselves, their friends, family, co-workers, and basically anyone else that will talk football.

With the current NFL lockout situation and daily reports on deadlines for their season cancellation many fans are turning to the UFL to scratch their ‘football itch’. The league is starting to take root in the homes of die-hard football fans all across our great nation.

The target on the backs of the Las Vegas Locomotives grows larger and larger as the fan base of the UFL grows.

What sets the Locos apart from the other teams is the core nucleus of players that have played together since the inaugural season in 2009. The team has a family atmosphere and they have gained trust in each other. When asked in an interview what he felt separated the Locos from the other teams in the UFL Marcus Riley LB, Las Vegas Locomotives answered “I think it’s the family atmosphere. We have a core group of guys, a nucleus that have been playing with the Locos like myself for the first two years.” Marcus went on to explain that, “Other teams kind of ship guys in and ship guys out a little more often than we do. I think camaraderie has a lot do with how you play. I think the team that can go to dinner, hang out, go do stuff off the field, and really get to know each other will only benefit from that on the field.”

The closeness and camaraderie have a lot to do with the way these players play on the field. Adam Bergen TE, Las Vegas Locomotives explains ” Guys feel really comfortable. When you feel comfortable obviously your going to play better. Your gonna play more loose, you’re gonna play more relaxed.”

The players of the Locos have continued to work together in the offseason. There is a group of players that live in the Phoenix, Arizona area and get together on Tuesdays and Thursdays to work on plays and timing. “We have about eight guys who come out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We throw the ball around a little bit. Were just trying to get in the work. Get our timing down offensively so when training camp hits were ready to go.” Adam Bergen explained when he was describing the off-season workouts the players were doing to keep sharp with the third championship in mind. He went on further to say “Unlike the NFL, when they are playing, have mini-camps and OTA’s. In the UFL you don’t really have that. So any opportunity we can get a little work in here and there is beneficial to us.” Samie Parker WR and Chase Clement QB both spent a week in Arizona with the other players working out in the Phoenix heat. This team is not being complacent or satisfied with the two championships they already have. They all have their eye on the prize and are hungry for the 3 Peat.

The key to staying sharp and ready to win is getting better each and everyday. Not losing sight of the goal of winning the third title. When the new players arrive they need caught up on the new terminology and lingo of the team. The new players need welcomed in and feel the close bond the other players have. Once they learn the play book, they learn the new terminology, and they understand the new lingo it still comes down to execution. Who wants it more?

The players on the Locos understand this. The team leaders will remind the players to always work towards the goal of winning the third championship in a row. When asked what he felt the key to winning the 3 peat was Adam Bergen answered ” We need to be getting better each and everyday. You don’t want to be satisfied. We won two championships but we can’t be satisfied. We gotta go out there and keep working hard and getting better so that we can win this next one and make it three in a row.”

The team is in shape physically. The team is mentally prepared to put the work in and become successful. The camaraderie is there.

WATCH OUT THE TRAIN IS ROLLING! THE LOCOMOTIVES ARE ON THEIR WAY TO NUMBER 3.

WE SPEAK OUR MIND!