Post practice quotes from Maurice Clarett:

On his confidence level in making a successful comeback:
“My confidence level is good right now. Being in the weight room, getting inside the playbook, I’ve got a good relationship with the team. I just take advantage day by day.”

On how it feels to be back in pads:
“It feels really good. It was kind of foreign to me at first, just getting adjusted to everything, but it’s a great group of guys here. The spirit in the locker room is great. My teammates seem to enjoy being around each other, seem to enjoy being here at the facility. It feels good.”

On the hardest part of getting back into football shape:
“Just the terminology of the plays and everything, re-learning that (after) being away from that for a while, the short bursts and things like that. I’ve got to get used to that again. But I’m taking things day by day. I would say if it was anything right now, it's the terminology and the verbiage of the actual playbook.”

On when he started to realize he wanted to make a comeback in football:
“I’ve always prepared for it, never planned for it because I never knew there would be an opportunity for me at one time. I’ve kept in good shape and my spirits high, kept my focus positive, kept my attitude positive.”

On how he convinced Commissioner Michael Huyghue to give him this chance:
“Just pretty much being myself. I’m pretty sure he had his concerns, but I was just being myself. It was a personal discussion between me and him. I just told him how I felt, where I was at in my life, how I felt about my family, (how) I have an opportunity to play again and be around these guys around here, and pretty much it went from there.”

On what he’s learned from his experience:
“I’ve learned a lot, but more so just be humble. Be humble, continue to stay positive and keep a good attitude no matter what goes on.”

On being around Ahman Green:
“Ahman is a really positive guy. When I talked to him on the phone before I came here, he said he’d be a resource to me on any level. And every question I have asked him up to this point, he’s been really helpful. Anytime we have meetings I kind of sit by him and he kind of points things out, be it on the field or on the sideline. In the locker room he’s kind of leading everybody. He’s had a lot of success in the NFL, so of course on and off the field he’s somebody you could learn from, just really positive. Just his preparation daily, you can get something from there. But he’s a really positive guy and an asset to this team and the community.”

On what he might say to people who are scrutinizing him:
“I really have nothing to say to them. My focus is here with the Nighthawks and the organization and moving forward. I’m just going to find out how I can contribute to the team.”

On what he thinks his chances of playing time are:
“Right now I’m just taking things day by day, finding out how I can contribute any way I can, learn the playbook. You have to take the basics. You’ve got to respect the game, and you’ve got to learn everything over. You’ve got to learn the verbiage, you’ve got to learn skills again, you’ve got to get your timing back again, so to talk about playing time is a little too premature right now.”

On how his legs feel:
“I feel very fresh. I feel good about what I’m doing. I feel good about footwork, and I feel good about everything. But like I said, this is a day-by-day process. I’m just learning everything over again as if I was a kid. I’m just looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to getting started on September 24.”

About The United Football League: The UFL provides high-quality professional football during a traditional fall season while embracing innovation and fan interaction. The UFL serves its local communities with pride and dedication, and aims to provide every fan with an exciting and memorable game experience. The inaugural 2009 champion Las Vegas Locos will battle the Florida Tuskers, Hartford Colonials, Omaha Nighthawks and Sacramento Mountain Lions for the William Hambrecht Trophy in 2010. The UFL is led by Commissioner Michael Huyghue and is funded by a consortium of private investors. For season tickets, more information and to interact with passionate football fans, please visit www.UFL-Football.com.

Ryan Couture: Another Natural?

By Phil Lanides

“A famous father means that in order to prove yourself you have to work three times harder than the guy off the street.” – Frank Sinatra, Jr.

Offspring following in the footsteps of their well-known parents is nothing new. Sometimes, the child ends up eclipsing their mother or father in stature, and sometimes they fall short. In the case of Frank Sinatra, Jr., it was the latter. His father was one of the most recognizable figures in music history, and is considered an American legend. Unfortunately, though Frank, Jr. followed his dad’s footsteps into the music world and carved out his own career, he simply was never able to reach the heights enjoyed by “Ol’ Blue Eyes.”

There are several fighters that can be considered a “legend” in the sport of MMA, but few command the respect of Randy “The Natural” Couture. A pioneer and one of the most revered fighters in the game, Couture has built a legacy in the sport. Now his son will attempt to succeed where others have failed. 27 year-old Ryan Couture makes no bones about knowing where he comes from. “I’d have to be a fool to think coming into this sport that others wouldn’t focus on who my father is. But I accepted that and embrace it. Truly, I couldn’t spend time talking about a better person. I’m pretty sure he would be my favorite fighter even if he wasn’t a blood relative.” Clearly, Ryan is ready to make a name for himself in the sport his father helped popularize.

Grappling came natural to Ryan, as he participated in wrestling in both junior high and high school. Eventually, he entered Western Washington University, where he got his degree in mathematics. Then, about four years ago, Ryan started training in jiu-jitsu. He also began to manage his father’s gym in Las Vegas, Nevada, and before long, he was studying MMA…and became hooked. An offer for an amateur fight came in, and Ryan took it. After compiling a 4-0-1 record, he’s now ready to make his professional debut, which will come this Friday in Phoenix, Arizona at STRIKEFORCE Challengers, live on SHOWTIME®. Couture will take on Lucas Stark in a bout that will be featured on the televised main card.

Randy Couture is known for his tremendous preparation for a fight, and this has not been lost on his son. “There are tough guys [at Xtreme Couture] everyday helping me get ready. Several of the amateur team members have been a big help, including some of our up-and-comers who are getting ready to turn pro, as well as Tyson Griffin and Steve Lopez. Tim Lane’s been helping me with my striking, getting me sharp, and my grappling coach, Neil Melanson, has been with me for several fights. My camp’s been great. I am ready.” Though he’s clearly focused on improving his all-around game, Ryan knows where his best chance of winning this weekend lies. “All of my wins have come via submission, so I’d have to go with that. But I feel like I’m pretty dangerous everywhere. My wrestling’s not where it should be yet, so there are a lot of guys that are going to beat me there. But with my submission game and decent striking, I feel like I make up for that.”

So, what should fight fans expect to see from Ryan this Friday night on SHOWTIME? “I’m planning on getting in there and mixing it up, and hopefully showing a variety of skills. I think Lucas will be looking to take me down, so I expect to be able to show my submissions. If it stays standing, I hope to utilize my length and hopefully score my first KO.” Still, despite his level-headed confidence, being the son of an MMA pioneer is not easy. Expectations are high for Ryan, being Randy’s son, and in addition, he’ll be making his pro debut on a televised STRIKEFORCE card. Does he feel that extra pressure? “Being who I am, I feel like I get a lot of extra attention, but the only extra pressure I feel is the kind that I put on myself from trying to perform to the level that I know I can. There are going to be very few people that have the kind of impact on the sport that my dad has, so thinking I will equal that would be unrealistic. So I’m just trying to do everything I can to make sure I perform to the best of my abilities. The rest will take care of itself.”

With that kind of mental approach, it appears Ryan Couture is well on his way to carrying on his father’s legacy while carving out his own career. And he’s not afraid to work hard enough to make it happen.