By MARK MAYNARD / Prokickernews.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Aaron Pettrey is gambling on the Locomotives.
Pettrey, the former Ohio State University kicker and Prokicker.com alum, has signed a contract with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League two weeks ago. He starts camp July 12 in Las Vegas.
Pettrey, who had a two-game stint with the Cincinnati Bengals last year, hopes to someday have another crack at the National Football League.
“It’s something to keep me kicking and get me film,” he said of the contract with the Locomotives, who are the 2009 and 2010 UFL champions. “It’s a good team to be on. It’s where a lot of NFL teams are getting guys.”
The Locomotives last two kickers — Graham Gano and Steve Hauscha — are kickers for the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos, respectively.
Pettrey would like to eventually add his name to that list of former Locomotives in the NFL.
For now, though, he’s happy to be playing professionally again.
Pettrey, who had an outstanding career with Ohio State, was signed by the Bengals last November after kicker Mike Nugent was injured. He went 2-for-4 on field goals, with his longest kick being 28 yards, and connected on all five extra points. Of his eight kickoff attempts, he had one touchback.
It was an uneven performance by his own standards and he was released after two games.
“It was good to get in but I wish things I’d gone a little better,” Pettrey said.
But the experience made him a better kicker, he said. Special teams coach Darrin Simmons tweaked his technique and it’s something Pettrey has been practicing with ever since.
“He worked with me quite a big with all of my field goals,” Pettrey said. “We made some changes. At that time it didn’t go as well as I wanted; it wasn’t going to happen in three days. Now I’m hitting the ball well using a lot of what he showed me.”
Pettrey went to a tryout for the Locomotives in Phoenix and earned the roster spot. He expects to have some competition in camp.
“Hopefully I’ll get the job,” he said. “They weren’t sure if they were going to bring another guy in or not. They don’t know a lot about me right now.”
It’s not unusual for teams to bring in competition, he said.
“That’s how about every NFL camp does it.”
Pettrey, who lives in Columbus, has tried to stay sharp with his kicking game. He works out almost daily and also gives kicking lessons.
“I’m staying in shape,” he said. “The clock is definitely going but I’ll try to do this as long as I can until I have to get a real job.
“Anytime you get a chance to play in the National Football League its great. You get to see things and do things that nobody gets to do. Hopefully, this is another step to me getting back there.”
Pettrey is aware of the revolving door that the kicker’s position offers in the NFL. He hopes the Locomotives keeps that door spinning back for him.
The UFL consists of five teams — Las Vegas, Sacramento, Virginia Beach, Hartford and Omaha. There is an eight-game regular season, one playoff game and then the championship.
