Two weeks ago it was reported here that former Venice High quarterback J.P. Losman was strongly considering signing with the proposed United Football League.
It did happen, On July 21 Losman signed to play for Las Vegas in the season which is scheduled to begin in October. Although no financial terms were announced, it had been a goal of league officials to have each of its four teams pay 10 players at least $1 million.
If Losman receives any figure in that range it would be a remarkable stroke of fortune for a player who lost his starting job with the Buffalo Bills and faced an uncertain future in the National Football league.
As the marquee player in the new league Losman could develop his skills and perhaps return to the NFL. The UFL plans an abbreviated season in 2009 before adding more teams next season.
Losman’s coach will be Jim Fassel, a former quarterback and NFL head coach. Losman expressed satisfaction of being given this opportunity and Fassel lauded Losman’s skills and potential.
Losman was the Bills’ first round choice, the 22nd overall, in 2004 after playing at Tulane. He had gone to UCLA for a year before transferring to Tulane, where he was originally a backup but had an outstanding senior season.
At 6-foot-4 he not only has a strong arm but is an outstanding runner. At Tulane he regularly ran for 100 yards in a game besides compiling yardage with his passing.
The league is hoping to have a team in Los Angeles next season and it’s possible Las Vegas will play one home game here this season. UFL games will be televised on the Versus cable channel this season on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
The NFL is prohibited from televising Friday night games so as not to conflict with high school games, but the UFL has no such restriction.
