Commentary /By Larry Felser
Losman’s presence gives Bills good early prognosis
It’s an old baseball cliche, but it applies to football also: Some of the best trades are the ones that aren’t made.
The wisdom of the Buffalo Bills’ decision not to make a foolish trade involving J. P. Losman at the time of the college draft in April was borne out last week when starting quarterback Trent Edwards suffered a deep thigh bruise in a collision with running back Marshawn Lynch near the end of a practice session. Edwards will miss to-night’s preseason game.
Dick Jauron delivered the usual coach’s prognosis of an injury like the one suffered by Edwards. I’m a skeptic when any coach talks about injuries involving his key players. Coaches’ diagnoses are usually one part optimism and another part subterfuge.
The Bills have one more preseason game after tonight. In any case the final exhibition is usually a “don’t-get-hurt” game. I doubt if we will see Edwards in uniform until the opening game here in 14 days, if then. The opponent will be the Seattle Seahawks, who have the fastest defense in the NFL, a unit that allowed only 15 touchdown passes a year ago and dogs enemy quarterbacks relentlessly.
Deep thigh bruises don’t usually heal quickly. The Bills cannot afford to have Edwards playing at anything less than 100 percent. Seattle’s left defensive end is Patrick Kerney, who led the NFC in sacks last season with 14z. Kerney has a reputation for performing like a buzz saw on every play.
Even if Jason Peters decides to end his summer vacation in time to play left tackle in the Bills’ opener, the right tackle would be either Langston Walker or Kirk Chambers. Neither is physically equipped to deal with the speedy Kerney without help. Blocking help would probably have to come from the tight end, which would likely subtract Robert Royal, intended as a more important factor in the passing game this season, from much of the game plan for the Seahawks.
In addition, Seattle’s defense has what many of their NFL opponents consider as the best linebacking corps in the league. Lofu Tatupu and Julian Peterson are Pro Bowlers and young Leroy Hill is considered by his coaches to be on the cusp of that distinction.
That is why what started as an inconsequential play near the end of the Bills’ next-to-last day in their St. John Fisher training camp has thrust Losman back into a vital role at the beginning of his farewell season in Buffalo.
Having a neophyte backup quarterback in this situation would be an instant disaster for the Bills. Having the experienced Losman, respected and considered a good teammate by the rest of the players, gives his team a chance to escape a negative start to the season. His natural speed and escapability against such a tough defense increases that chance.
That is why J. P.’s good attitude, despite the heartache of losing his job and having to wait a year for his next opportunity to rebuild his career, is so important for the Bills.
If he can perform nobly in whatever role is asked of him, Losman will enhance his marketability. I can name at least five teams that should be in the market for a five-year veteran with a lot of playing time to his credit and considerable upside awaiting.
Minnesota is already a sound team awaiting the arrival of the right quarterback. The Bears just gave up on Rex Grossman in favor of journeyman Kyle Orton. San Francisco’s impatience has overtaken Alex Smith and there is more hope than performance in Aaron Rodgers’ record as Brett Favre’s backup. As for Favre himself as a Jet, he has to get through a 16-game schedule and if he does beat giant odds and play in 2009, he’ll be 40 at midseason. Behind him this season is unproven Kellen Clemens.
What happens beyond January will be a decision to be made by Losman and his agent.
Larry Felser, former News columnist, appears in Sunday’s editions.
