Rebels performing well without supervision

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, July 18, 2002 | 10:02 a.m.

UNLV doesn't officially start fall football practice until Aug. 10. But for about 30 Rebels, you can say it has already begun.

Three times a week for the past couple of months, the group has been gathering for informal two-hour workouts on the new Ernie Becker Sr. AstroPlay fields at Rebel Park.

It's against NCAA rules for a UNLV coach to direct or even watch the practices. So it's up to the players to show up on their own and run the voluntary workouts.

"It goes about two hours," said senior quarterback Jason Thomas, who takes turns with backup Kurt Nantkes in running the offense. "We do about 30 to 45 minutes of one-on-ones and warming up. Then we do about an hour and 15 minutes of seven-on-sevens."

There are no whistles, pads or helmets. In fact, with temperatures usually in triple-digits when the players take the field, many shun even a T-shirt.

But all of those involved believe the workouts will help pay big dividends once regular practice begins next month.

"Definitely," senior fullback Steven Costa said. "We come out here and work on our (pass) routes and stuff. It's great to get out here and play a little catch. I think it will give us a little extra step heading into the season."

"It helps tremendously," said junior running back Larry Croom, a transfer from Arizona. "You get familiar with the people on your team and the people who are coming in new.

"For people like myself who just had one spring practice, it gives you a chance to get more familiar with the pass routes and the plays. And the veterans can get a chance to polish up on their game, too."

Informal summer workouts are nothing new; Croom said he took part in them at Arizona. But this is arguably the best-attended and best-organized summer in Rebel football history.

Coming off a disappointing 4-7 season no doubt has something to do with that.

"My first year here, when we had a lot of success in the passing game, we did it," Thomas said, referring to an 8-5 campaign in 2000. "We'd go down to Sam Boyd Stadium on the weekends and stuff. But it wasn't as frequent as this year. It helps and definitely makes a difference."

And not just on the field, where UNLV fans will be happy to hear Thomas is throwing 65-yard darts like he did routinely before shoulder surgery last summer.

"I think this builds camaraderie," he said. "That's one of the most important things you can have on a team. We've got a lot of seniors. My first year here we had a good senior group. I think one of the most important parts of a team is senior leadership. And we have that. Everybody has been dedicated and showing up."

"Look at how many kids are out here right now," Costa said. "That's pretty big-time. Enough said."