While Santa Clause and his elves were getting ready for their busiest time of the year, two Sacramento Mountain Lions added their names to a long list.  Not  the list that Santa uses, but instead, a list of UFL players signed to NFL teams.

Fullback ,Tyler Clutts, and Kicker, Fabrizio Scaccia, are the most recent UFLers gone NFL. Clutts is now a member of the Cleveland Browns practice squad while Scaccia finds himself on the 49ers practice squad.

I know we’re talking about “practice”, but opportunities like these are what every aspiring pro football hopes for.

Clutts, who originally came to Sacramento as a long snapper, had a strong season that paved the way for Sacramento running back, Cory Ross. Ross ran for 435 yards and four touchdowns and recently was named 2010 UFL Offensive Player of the Year. He was able to adapt in the UFL and fill a need for Sacramento.  Clutts was orginally a defensive end coming out of college, but he actually played defensive end for Fresno State, recording 23.5 sacks in his collegiate career.

Scaccia played his first professional season for Sacramento this fall after spending six seasons playing semi-pro football. Last summer Scaccia played in the Arena Football league and was a member of the Arizona Rattlers. In ten games for Arizona, Scaccia went 69-74 on extra points and 1-4 on field goals.  In one of his first six seasons of semi-pro ball Scaccia put a 68-yarder between the uprights.

Mountain Lions head coach, Dennis Green spoke highly of these two players when asked about their departure.

“Fabrizio and Tyler have been two of our most dedicated players,” Mountain Lions head coach Dennis Green said. “Both represent the classic success stories we find in the UFL. Their futures are truly bright. The entire community of Sacramento and our Mountain Lions fans are very proud of them.”

If Scaccia and Clutts can grab the attention of their coaches before the season ends, they may find themselves on an active NFL roster come next summer.