'Solid guys' Pettrey, Coutu vie for Locomotives' kicking job
By Steve Carp
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Posted: Sep. 8, 2011
With just about every starting spot for his lineup set, Locomotives coach Jim Fassel has one major decision left to make in the next 48 hours -- who is going to be his place-kicker?
Aaron Pettrey and Brandon Coutu have waged a fierce battle to win the job, and Fassel said it will be one of the toughest calls he makes as the Locos get down from 70 to the United Football League roster limit of 51 by 1 p.m. Friday. The Locos open their season Sept. 17 at Sacramento.
"Both are real solid guys," Fassel said following Wednesday's practice at the Sam Boyd Stadium practice fields. "They've both performed well. But we'll look at everything and make a decision."
Pettrey, who played at Ohio State, and Coutu, who played at Georgia, have NFL experience. Pettrey has had time with Carolina, Detroit and Cincinnati, and Coutu was in the Seattle Seahawks' training camp earlier this summer.
"It's a little nerve-wracking," Pettrey said. "Me and Brandon are just trying to get better. It's been very competitive, but it's been friendly. He's a good guy."
Coutu said he knew trying to win the job would not be easy.
"I'm used to competing," he said. "At Georgia, I was a walk-on and beat out a scholarship guy. In Seattle, I was battling 10- and 13-year veterans. So I expected a battle. But the reality is there can only be one guy. We've both kicked well. We've gotten better. All you can do is your best, and if it's not good enough, you move on."
Whoever doesn't get the job might want to keep his leg in shape. In each of the past two seasons, the Locos have had their starting kicker get injured.
"Funny how that's happened two years in a row," Fassel said. "So, yeah, whoever we don't keep, we'll hang on to his (phone) number."
And while the competition has been fierce between Pettrey and Coutu, a friendship has emerged. "We get along real well," Coutu said. "We're roommates. We hang out together."
At least for one more day.
