Losman Seeks Trade out of Buffalo

by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2008 8:31 AM EST in News Comment 20 comments

J.P. may get to start elsewhere (BuffaloBills.com)

After a season in which the Bills rotated starting quarterbacks, Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman - the team's starter for all 16 games in 2006 - has told the Associated Press that he wants out of Buffalo. The desire is hardly surprising, considering his solid '06 campaign, the way the Bills have flip-flopped at quarterback over the past three seasons, and head coach Dick Jauron's likely commitment to Trent Edwards as the 2008 starter.

Opinion is highly split about Losman - most feel that he's worn out his welcome in Buffalo, while a smaller contingent feel he has the tools necessary to start full-time in this league - but it's hard to deny that despite this request, Losman is a team player. Losman has indicated that if he does not get moved this off-season, he will honor the final year of his contract in Buffalo, likely as the backup, in 2008. His agent, Gary Wichard, also indicated that if he honored said year of the contract, Losman would walk away after '08 - without coming close to considering an offer from the Bills.

Which, of course, begs the question: do the Bills have to move Losman? Can they?

Mike Florio, he of Pro Football Talk fame, believes that the Bills won't move J.P.:

But unless someone is willing to give the Bills the first-round pick that they used to get Losman in 2004, why should the team move him? Every team needs at least two quarterbacks who have extensive game experience; if Edwards gets hurt, what will the Bills do?

Let's get it out there right now: the Bills aren't getting a first-round pick for Losman. They may not even get a first-day pick. But in a weak quarterback market this off-season (Derek Anderson isn't leaving Cleveland, folks) - and with plenty of teams looking for a young, veteran quarterback - Losman is sure to draw at least some interest.

Two teams that may have some interest in Losman are the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions (yes, from my standpoint, this is purely speculation). Atlanta's quarterback situation has been in flux ever since Michael Vick's infamous run-in with the law, while the Lions have to have grown weary of Jon Kitna's mediocrity - and they only have first-year man Drew Stanton on the shelf as a potential heir. Both Atlanta and Detroit have former Pro Bowl players looking for trades out of town as well - CB DeAngelo Hall in Atlanta; WR Roy Williams in Detroit. It's no secret that both of those players would help Buffalo immensely - and Jauron coached Williams for a short stint two years ago in Detroit. If the Bills can package Losman and one of their picks for an impact player such as Hall or Williams, why wouldn't they take advantage of the interest in Losman?

While those are trades that simple seem astronomically unlikely, remember that young, athletic quarterbacks that still have upside are extremely hard to come by in this league. (Remember they're only examples, as well.) With Losman prepared to walk after the '08 season, it makes the most sense to get something of value for the former first-round pick, acquire a veteran backup to Edwards, and cut their losses. Regardless of how it turns out, one fact remains: it's hard to blame J.P. for wanting out.

Story originally broken in this diary by B3J.

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re: Losman Seeks Trade out of Buffalo

This is Losman's agent getting the word out to the rest of the NFL that his client is "available" - similar to a former Bills running back this time last year as I recall. I doubt anything will happen until March but your trade ideas would be a welcome outcome to the Losman situation.

by Zumone on Jan 5, 2008 8:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Nothing can happen until March, by the way - players can't switch teams before March 3, when free agency starts. A Losman trade has a good chance at happening - he's one of the more talented quarterbacks available (although that could change), and there's always a market for a quarterback. Heck, even Indy could be looking for a better backup to Peyton than Jim Sorgi. :)

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2008 9:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Then who do we get--

Moving Losman is fine, even if I think he got a bad rap in an offensive situation that failed. But more importantly, we may get an offensive coordinator who liks Losman better.
I say opne up the competition and let him walk after '08. Maybe extend his contract one-year so he might renegotiate. Losman could still be good. We admit that there was a lack of weapons and bad o coaching, so was it all JPs fault?

The Bills can win every game

by killascript on Jan 5, 2008 9:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Doubt it happens

We can't extend his contract a year without his agreeing to it - and it's pretty obvious he'd laugh out loud at a proposition such as that. No, I do believe it's ultimatum time - move him and cut our losses, or keep him and let him get away for free.

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2008 9:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting projections...

While I'm a little wary of Hall's cocky attitude, the fact of the matter is we could use his skills at CB. Williams would definitely be a welcome addition; it's pretty much unanimous that our current receiving corps is in need of at least one new face.

I have to hand it to Losman, he's been a class act through this all. He could have gone whining to the press so many times, both this season and in seasons past (I don't count calling out the coaching staff earlier this season as whining; most--if not all--of us have our gripes with SF-M). JP's play certainly wasn't the greatest most of the time, but you could tell he wanted to be part of the WNY region and that he sincerely wanted to improve himself. As critical as the majority of fans and the press have been on him, you can tell he was that much harder on himself. I hope he succeeds wherever he ends up (AFC East teams excluded).

by kramertoneman on Jan 5, 2008 9:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Losman

I've always felt that he tried to be part of the WNY region and be a true pro. (unlike McGahee)

With QB situations around the league I don't think the Bills will have a hard time finding him a new home, the trick will be getting proper compensation for him. (I'd be happy with a high second day, say 3rd or fourth,(don't forget first day this year is only the 1st and 2nd rounds))

who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 5, 2008 10:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Didnt Willis only net us a fourth rounder,

and maybe a seventh? What makes you think a very inconsistant qb will get us any better then a fith or sixth rounder? I find it hard to BILLieve that we get anything more then a 6th or 7th for him. But if you could package him to get Roy "freakin" Williams then you do it, point blank, no questions asked. If you can get even a fourth or fifth rounder you do it. But then we need a backup qb. Either way, Losman being on this team doesn't hurt so I'm fine with either trading him, or letting him be the backup and walking next year, and thats the bottom line because B3J said so.

Do you BILLieve?

by NYTXFAN on Jan 5, 2008 10:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Willis Trade

The Bills sent Mcgahee to Baltimore for

3rd rounder & 7th rounder in 2007 + 3rd rounder in 2008

Thats why we have two 3rd rounders this year.

who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 5, 2008 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

you can't compare the two. Rb's are a dime a dozen, and you can find quality almost anywhere. QBs are a lot harder to find.

who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 5, 2008 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed

And to answer your first question, about if McGahee would get us more than Losman, I don't think that's necessarily true. Last year's running back class was good (see Peterson, Lynch, etc. as examples), and there were a couple of other vet options last year as well (Thomas Jones, Travis Henry). QB is always put at a higher premium, and my guess is that many other NFL franchises will be more than willing to part with a 4th rounder based solely on his potential outside of Buffalo. QB will always get higher interest than RB - and it's a weak class, both vet and rookie, this off-season.

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2008 10:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

even

a 35+ year old concussion case in trent green got a 5th rounder. QB's are worth more then any other position. AND JP is ONLY 26 WITH experience. I can see us getting a 4th for him.

John I.

by jri111 on Jan 5, 2008 1:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

the only difference is that Green has played at a pro-bowl level in the past. you can't say that about Losman.

who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 5, 2008 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Other QB trades

Then how about the Matt Schaub trade? Two 2nd round picks and moving up from 10 to 8 in the first round. And that for a quarterback who had never won a game in his three-year professional career. We also can't forget Rob Johnson - a 1st and a 4th, I think.

by Krenn on Jan 5, 2008 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Qb trades

Johnson was a 1st and 3rd.

I think the difference was with those trades, there was a team in desperate need of a stater. I'm not sure anybody is going to give J.P. the starter role on their team, and they certainly aren't going to give up any where close to a first rounder for a back-up.

who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 5, 2008 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Good info. I really hadn't realized that, yeah, QB is a high demanding position. But its gonna take a team that really likes his raw skills and feel that they can turn him into an everyday QB. Im sure that's why we gave up so much for Rob and I'm sure thats why Houston did it for Schuab. But you need a team that wants him bad enough.

Do you BILLieve?

by NYTXFAN on Jan 6, 2008 12:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Say Keep Losman

For three reasons:

Young, talented quarterbacks are very, very rare commodities. If you have them, keep them, don't give them away.
Quarterback is the most important position on a football team. The best teams have the best quarterbacks. No matter how much talent you surround the quarterback with, you can't compete at a high level by minimizing the impact that your quarterback has on the game (see 2004 Bills). No matter what (almost) they may get in return for trading Losman, it could be irrelevant if Edwards doesn't pan out. Although different, but similar, the Rivers/Manning trade may eventually prove my point.
As a longtime fan of the Bills and the NFL as a whole, one of the primary things that I have learned about this league, particularly in recent years, is that anything can happen. Anything can happen and things can change very quickly. I am not surprised by anything anymore. With that being said, we know that significant changes are likely in order for the offense. Let's say, for instance, that the new offensive coordinator emphasizes the downfield passing game, favors Losman over Edwards, and Losman takes his game to an elite level in 2008. That may convince Losman and the Bills to change their minds. Who knows? In the NFL, nothing is guaranteed, injuries can happen, anything can happen. While I hope that Edwards will be a franchise quarterback for the Bills, it is not guaranteed.

by Fort Worth on Jan 5, 2008 4:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Also...

What the Bills could possibly lose in Losman compared to what they could possibly gain in return through a trade just doesn't make sense.

by Fort Worth on Jan 5, 2008 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kind of agree

I agree with your 3rd point; you do never know what could happen and who could emerge. And having Losman around as a 2nd option to Trent for 2008 would be great.

But, I think your 1st point is the most telling, only not for keeping Losman, but for trading him. He doesn't want to be in Buffalo any longer (can't blame him) and he will not sign a new contract. If the Bills don't trade him, after next season he will walk and they get nothing. That is essentially giving him away.

by fletcherjd on Jan 5, 2008 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

all that you say is true

But whats to say that the Bills trade J.P., draft another QB,in say the 6th round and he turns out to be the next Brady. I'm not saying any of that will happen just that you're correct anything can. I would have no problem trading J.P., but if they kept him I would be fine with that also.

who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 5, 2008 4:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs