For openers, UFL offers no major glitches

If his son wasn't a member of the California Redwoods, I might have thought Denzel Washington attended the United Football League's inaugural game Thursday night to scout talent for a new movie.

Perhaps something along the lines of, "Remember the Locos." I almost suggested the part of head official for Mike Sanford, because if things don't work out for him coaching UNLV, he's the perfect fit for someone who wears a red shirt and spends entire games on the field.

"It's pro football," Washington said during halftime at Sam Boyd Stadium. "I think they've done a great job. I'm looking forward to watching all of the games."

He better not blink.

Only five regular-season ones remain.

Beginnings can be tough to gauge. Football-wise, what Las Vegas and California presented in a 30-17 Locos win was what you might expect from rosters that include several who have spent significant time in the NFL.

The play was plenty good enough, especially for just three weeks of training camp.

Interest-wise, the UFL or those entrusted to gather attendance figures needs to hire someone who can count. Inflating numbers when announcing crowds at sporting events is common, but there is fudging numbers and there is being disingenuous about it.

They announced 14,209, which is about three times more than reality. There weren't 5,000 in the stadium, and that's giving the UFL every benefit of the doubt, because how can't one be in a generous mood after talking to Denzel Washington?

Here's the thing: Those who came seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience. The skill level was comparable to the NFL Europe days.

But the fact one out of every six seats was occupied shouldn't come as a big revelation. This is what happens when your league creates little to no buzz in its premier city leading up to an opener. The only marketing of significance didn't occur until the last week or so. The UFL hardly flooded this market with advertising, and nor did it intend to.

"The measuring stick for us right now isn't necessarily attendance," UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue. "A lot of leagues have come in and spent their money on promotion and now production. We have done the opposite. I think that's the right way to go. There is a niche following here for us. Our plan was always to work on the product first. When you do that, fans will come.

"This is the first building block. Pundits have to look at the (attendance number) and say that wasn't what (was announced). But that's not our measuring stick. It's not all going to happen the first day."

Say this for Huyghue: His stance hasn't changed since first being introduced as the man committed to making a pro football league not named the NFL work in the fall.

The UFL always has talked about offering a "soft opening" this first season, which is where four teams playing six games each comes into play. But that doesn't mean it can't be more fan friendly than what some encountered Thursday.

Security retrieved footballs kicked into the stands via field goals and extra points. Why? What's more important today for a new league, a $100 ball or a few acts of benevolence to some kid whose old man received tickets for making $20 bets at any Station Casinos sports book?

Some fans complained of being stopped by security for trying to improve their seat location. What the league should have done is invite all 4,500 who showed up to sit in the lower sections, so Versus could have televised crowd shots without being fearful of all the empty seats.

It's a beginning. Most everything worked well. The skill was good enough to make those who attended want to take another look. J.P. Losman was J.P. Losman at quarterback for the Locos -- talented, big arm, sort of a nightmare when pressured in the pocket.

There was some hokeyness to it the league could lose immediately, like loud music played between snaps, because it's hard to focus on a play when you're humming "The devil's in the house of the rising sun/ Chicken in the bread pan pickin' out dough ..."

For openers, it was fine. Decent football. No major glitches. A commissioner who seems to have a plan and know what he's doing.

I'm confident the 5,000 (or fewer) who showed up will want to do so again. Maybe they'll all bring a friend next time, and there won't be as many laughs when the attendance is announced.

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He also can be heard weeknights from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on "The Sports Scribes" on KDWN-AM (720) and www.kdwn.com.