When former Venice High football star J.P. Losman became a first round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills four years ago he appeared ready to succeed in the National Football League.
But whether it was because of the difficulties associated with playing for a poor team or other factors, such as frequent changes in the coaching staff and an ineffective offensive line, Losman’s progress has been gradual.
Last season the Bills drafted another quarterback, Trent Edwards from Stanford, in the third round. Edwards became the starter and when the Bills recently began training for the upcoming season Losman was listed on the team’s depth chart as the backup.
Then, on the first day of practice, Losman hit his hand on a teammate’s helmet while throwing a pass. It’s uncertain if he’ll be able to play in the Bills’ first exhibition game August 9.
It’s also uncertain if Losman’s career will continue in Buffalo or if he’ll be traded in the next few years. An ideal situation for an NFL team is to have one young quarterback and a veteran. If Edwards continues to be the Bills’ starter Losman might benefit from getting a fresh start elsewhere.
One important quality Losman possesses is his mobility. At Venice and then when he played at Tulane he’s been a productive runner as well as a passer.
