ghz in pittsburgh
06-26-2006, 09:07 AM
Losman admitted recently that all he wanted to do last year was to prove to everyone that he belonged in NFL, that he had the starting QB in him. No doubt that was fueled by TD & Mularkay's decision to name him the starter and proclaim that the Bills would not miss a beat.
So he stayed in Buffalo, studied all year (I'd not be surprised that the administration suggested him to do so). By his own account, so often he'd say to coaches that he got it in the film room. All that was left for him to do was to play in the field to show people.
The reality is that getting it in the film room is very different from getting it on the field. For Losman he didn't know because he never actually started a game in NFL prior to last year. What was a highly anticipated show, a proof to all people, to all doubters about what he could do quickly turned into confusion. Losman has no backup plan. Like a rookie actor, he mastered all the materials in rehearsal rooms but quickly forgot about everything in front of live audience, facing unexpected events.
One year passed and now he says all he wanted to do is to best himself - to be the best QB that he can be. I actually believe what he said because he came across as those who say what they believe.
In that regard, he is, indeed, maturing because playing QB in NFL is not about showing off to people (in fact it often leads to dumb plays), being a leader is not about making some extraordinary plays to woo them; it's about doing the best you can. If you are good enough, you will be successful, and people will respect you.
I don't know if Losman grasps this concept completely but it sounded like he's getting there. Notice that he has used the word consistency a few times this year, something he never mentioned last year. Playing up to your best consistently is exactly what quality NFL players do.
Another encouraging sign is that he mentioned about "not being coached hard" last year. I really don't know what he mean by "coached hard", but I'm glad to see that he's linking his on-field experience to his preparation and is looking for answers. In other words, he's not just looking at his films and says damn if I made that throw a little more inside ... and proceeds to go to the field house throwing 100 balls at a tire; he's actully looking for deeper answers (and granted the only thing he has in his experience so far is that he's been "coached hard" before).
We know physically Losman can play in NFL. And it looks like he's got the right mental approach to the game. All that is left is for him to show us if he has the football smarts in him. If he does, he'll be here for a long time. If he doesn't, he'll be out of here, possibly the league pretty soon.
So he stayed in Buffalo, studied all year (I'd not be surprised that the administration suggested him to do so). By his own account, so often he'd say to coaches that he got it in the film room. All that was left for him to do was to play in the field to show people.
The reality is that getting it in the film room is very different from getting it on the field. For Losman he didn't know because he never actually started a game in NFL prior to last year. What was a highly anticipated show, a proof to all people, to all doubters about what he could do quickly turned into confusion. Losman has no backup plan. Like a rookie actor, he mastered all the materials in rehearsal rooms but quickly forgot about everything in front of live audience, facing unexpected events.
One year passed and now he says all he wanted to do is to best himself - to be the best QB that he can be. I actually believe what he said because he came across as those who say what they believe.
In that regard, he is, indeed, maturing because playing QB in NFL is not about showing off to people (in fact it often leads to dumb plays), being a leader is not about making some extraordinary plays to woo them; it's about doing the best you can. If you are good enough, you will be successful, and people will respect you.
I don't know if Losman grasps this concept completely but it sounded like he's getting there. Notice that he has used the word consistency a few times this year, something he never mentioned last year. Playing up to your best consistently is exactly what quality NFL players do.
Another encouraging sign is that he mentioned about "not being coached hard" last year. I really don't know what he mean by "coached hard", but I'm glad to see that he's linking his on-field experience to his preparation and is looking for answers. In other words, he's not just looking at his films and says damn if I made that throw a little more inside ... and proceeds to go to the field house throwing 100 balls at a tire; he's actully looking for deeper answers (and granted the only thing he has in his experience so far is that he's been "coached hard" before).
We know physically Losman can play in NFL. And it looks like he's got the right mental approach to the game. All that is left is for him to show us if he has the football smarts in him. If he does, he'll be here for a long time. If he doesn't, he'll be out of here, possibly the league pretty soon.