This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After the Arena Football League re-emerged from bankruptcy in 2010, the Utah Blaze didn't show much fire on the field. Utah stumbled to a 2-14 season and struggled in just about every facet of the organization.
But an offseason overhaul is looking promising so far. Last week, the Blaze dominated the San Jose Sabercats, the No. 2-ranked team, in a scrimmage, and practices have been intense and competitive. Players and coaches are getting a little bit giddy about surprising some folks around the league.
"If our team this year played last year's team, it wouldn't be close — we'd kill them," coach Ron James says. "We're ready to play, and this is a cohesive bunch."
It's been a few months of sweeping changes for Utah: Only a handful of players from last year's roster remain, one owner has left as another has stepped in, and the team is returning to its former home in EnergySolutions Arena.
The sum of all the moves has actually been stability. For the first time since the team returned, there's a sense of organization and purpose that was lacking.
Defensive end Caesar Rayford recalls how there were times last season when the team would meet up at a random location for practices, or when some players didn't bother showing up. At Maverik Center, he says, he always felt like a visitor instead of a home-team player.
"The players started taking the attitude that you gotta look our for yourself," he says. "But the front office has really taken some big steps to make this feel like a professional organization. Guys come out and compete for their jobs. You walk into EnergySolutions, and you think, 'Wow, I feel important. I feel like a professional.' "
Utah has brought in a number of new players to ensure the changes continue into the season. Former Ute Tommy Grady is expected to win the starting job at quarterback, while defensive vets William Mulder and Alfred Phillips could shore up the secondary.
But chemistry has been the best personnel addition.
"The other day when we were driving over to the arena, some guys got out of the van at a red light and started a snowball fight in the middle of the street," wideout Aaron Lesué says. "There's usually a few bad apples, but not this year. Everyone on this team gets along, and that really makes a difference."
For fans who were disillusioned with a disorganized, losing bunch last year, the Blaze are trying to bring them back into the fold. Winning more than two games would be a good start.
"I've been trying to impart to these guys that in the past, this has been a high-class organization that did things the right way," James says. "We've strived to achieve that … and shake out this losing mentality."
Utah Blaze complete face-lift
• The Blaze struggled with coaching changes, ownership changes and finished 2-14 last season.
• Ron James returns as head coach, but most of the roster has turned over.
• Notable additions include quarterback Tommy Grady and defensive backs William Mulder and Alfred Phillips. —
Tampa Bay at Utah
P Blaze season opener at EnergySolutions Arena
Thursday, 7 p.m.