Well first of all, lets start with his college career, see JP actually started more than 8 games in college, unlike feeley! Also what has feeley done in college? nothing, he was backup to joey harrington. Lets take a snap shot of JP's last year in college shall we:
2003: One of seven Finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Completed 251-of-422 passes for 3,077 yards with 33 TDs and 14 INTs, one of the top three seasons in TU history. Only QB in C-USA to surpass the 3,000-yard mark in passing (3,077) and total offense (3,157) this year. His 33 TD passes are second-highest TU single season total and are tied for 3rd in the country (through Nov. 24). Threw at least one TD pass in every game this year; nine games with more than one and seven with three or more. Recorded four straight 300-yard passing games to start the season. Brought Tulane back from a 28-14 deficit versus Miss. St. and finished with 349 yards, four TDs on 29-of-47 passing.
OK, now I know I know you can be a great college QB but it may not carry over to the NFL. But why not. Well usually defenses are more sophisticated, the offensive playbook is bigger, and motions and audibles become more of a factor in the NFL.
NOW, JP Losman has taken 2 weeks off, say it with me 2 weeks off between the end of the season and mini camp. Thats right he came back to Buffalo early february to study film and work side by side with QB's Coach Sam Wyche. hmm Wyche? isn't that the same guy who worked with Joe Montana? It sure is. Didn't he work with Boomer esiason? your damn right he did.
The point is that JP has been watching the sophisticated defenses on film all year and getting quized by sam wyche until he can answer the question without delay. Also here's a big secret dont tell anybody, JP LOSMAN IS NOT A ROOKIE. Thats right he's been watching the game, familiarizing himself with the offense for a season now, he may not have had much playing time but he's been with this offense and needs not to learn a new one.
And we must not forget that he has all the athleticism that a QB in the NFL should need, he's got quick feet, a cannon arm, the kid can throw very accurate on the run, and can get away from tacklers if need be.
Lets talk about his intelligence. This kid scored just one point lower on the wonderlic than Tom Brady, you know, the two time superbowl MVP! Whats more, thats higher than the likes of peyton manning, trent green...
Since the announcement that the QB position was his he has been trying to earn respect from the players, more specifically the veterans because they need to respect and trust him. Coming out of mini camp, veteren Eric Moulds was quoted saying that Losman impressed him and he feels comfortable with the kid under the helm, and on a side note, JP missed one pass to Moulds and was so upset that he arranged some practices with him and E to get thier timing down, just the two of them.
He definately has the tools to succeed, and above all else he has the offensive weapons to help him succeed in his inaugural season. He's got a solid back with Willis Mcgahee, who, himself is a workhorse. He has a great receiving corps with Moulds and Evans, and the acquisition of the speedy roscoe parrish will make the two even more dangerous. Look at how the bills fared last year after Evans was named the number 2 guy. He was a TD or two shy from the record for ANY NFL rookie.
Too many people think that the Bills O Line is worse off without Jennings, but the truth is, they played as much without jennings last year as they did with him, and Willis (starting 5 games in) still managed 1100 yards. The LT spot is filled and Jim Mcnally (one of the best o line coaches in the business) is working with them so that shouldn't be much of a concern. And even less so this year because we have a mobile quarterback. See it's easier to block for a guy that can move because you dont need to hold the defense for 5 seconds. Also blitzing was ridiculous last year with bledsoe, the bills rarely faced a team that didnt put 7-8 guys in the box, because they knew they could get to bledsoe. JP has to earn respect from the blitz, but once he show's that bringing the LB's up is dangerous then they will back off and guess what? It becomes the McGahee show, any questions?
