JP Losman - Star or Bust

[ghz in pittsburgh]

That's just my gut feeling about this guy.

He has the personality of of those cocky stars like Kelly and utter busts like Leaf. He'll get better at how to deal with others as he gets older, like he's shown so far this year. But he does go about in his own beat - like his college coached said of him, and he followed that up in actions like choosing to live in downtown Buffalo.

As a football player, he can rival physically with just about any QB in terms of arm strength, agility, speed, and a sense of pressure. And he has a penchant for big plays, unbelievably plays that make every NFL coach drools.

The problem, as I see it, is about his head, football head. If he had Brady's head whom I consider the best in NFL dialing into what the defense is doing quickly, JP would probably be the best QB in NFL history. I attribute his inconsistency to his reading of the game. When he gets it, he makes plays, unbelievable plays when the opportunity presents. When he does not get it, he looks dumb, lost, whatever you want to call. That's why everyone calls him a project and some great offensive coaches would like to get hands on him to turn this fine raw material into the next big star in NFL.

JP does not need Brady's brain to be a star because of his other abilities. With his personality, if he does not develop a competent NFL QB brain, he won't make it in NFL at all; but if he does, he'll not be just a capable one - he'll be a star that every defensive coordinator fears because every time he drops back, no matter which part of the field, no matter what kind of rush they call, there is a good possibility of a big scoring play.

[THATHURMANATOR]

Star.

[ICE74129]

It depends, what type of team are they going to put around him?

[Philagape]

That's a dead-on analysis; if his head catches up to his body, he'll be a star.

The trend so far is improvement. We already know he's a playmaker who can ignite a TD at anytime. He just needs to cut down on the mistakes. He's shown tireless dedication to learn, and that plus experience should reduce his gaffes.

[ublinkwescore]

I'm gonna go with Star - and it will be this season.

but he's gonna need that help from McGahee and the O line - it looks like he might just get it this year too.

[Mitchy moo]

That's a dead-on analysis; if his head catches up to his body, he'll be a star.

The trend so far is improvement. We already know he's a playmaker who can ignite a TD at anytime. He just needs to cut down on the mistakes. He's shown tireless dedication to learn, and that plus experience should reduce his gaffes.

He is heading the right way!

[Inetpub]

Im leaning towards a Rob Johnson clone. RJ had all those physical attributes also. I know Im going to get booed for that but me typing this is already going to get booed anyways. I love the Bills no matter whos at QB. Personally I'd like a QB that can think on his feet and win games by time management and knowing what the right throws are and what to do at certain times in the game.

Although I really think JP has the physical attributes, I get the feeling his heads been played with too much already. I would like to see him succeed but it wouldnt be a surprise if he pulls an RJ in 2 years time. Dont take this as a final word though as the question was asked if he is going to be a star or bust. I might be playing devils advocate but someone has too.

Verdict: Bust

[BillsNick]

There are some things that I cannot ignore when it comes to JP. There have been flashes of brilliance that I've seen every so often. I mean utter heroic brilliance. I never got that with RJ. I'm talking Flutie type stuff (dodging a sure sack and throwing of his back foot for a first down, or a last second scramble that saves the drive). I see something special coming together in him, and I don't know if it's just the homer in me, or reality. I hesitate in saying he is a star, because we simply don't know, but I will not call him a bust until he acts like one. Let's watch the kid play for while and then decide.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

RJ is a nerd in terms of a football player. JP is a street smart player.

For example, when RJ drops back, you count 2001, 2002, 2003, ... as he goes through his reads 1,2,3 ... and Wham he gets sacked because he has no sense of pressure.

When JP drops back, you count 2001, 2002, 2003, ... as he goes through his reads 1,2,3 and off he goes to dodge the first guy who'd sacked him. In his college days and last year, he'd go wildly and totally on his own after that. This preseason, he seemed to just step up/side a bit and continued his progression of reads.

When Brady drops back, you count 1,2,3 (not the 2001, 2002, 2003 pace) ... as he goes through his reads 1, 2, 3 and boom the ball is out his hand, oftenly he throws the ball to a place where he anticipate his receivers to be.

Losman at this point, does not do the anticipation very well, particularly in those short/middle routes that are Brady's picnic area.

When Favre (in his prime) drops back, you count 2001, 2002, 2003, ... as he goes through his reads 1,2,3, he could let go of the ball as he feels the pressure and has a place to go with the ball, but he dodges the pass rusher because he sees something developing further down the field and then launches a laser for that play.

There is a reason people compare JP to Favre because JP has exactly the same mentality as Favre in terms of penchant for big plays.

[Inetpub]

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</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <hr style="color: rgb(243, 243, 255);" size="1"> <!-- / icon and title --> <!-- message --> Im leaning towards a Rob Johnson clone. RJ had all those physical attributes also. I know Im going to get booed for that but me typing this is already going to get booed anyways. I love the Bills no matter whos at QB. Personally I'd like a QB that can think on his feet and win games by time management and knowing what the right throws are and what to do at certain times in the game.

Although I really think JP has the physical attributes, I get the feeling his heads been played with too much already. I would like to see him succeed but it wouldnt be a surprise if he pulls an RJ in 2 years time. Dont take this as a final word though as the question was asked if he is going to be a star or bust. I might be playing devils advocate but someone has too.

Verdict: Bust
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I dont understand how I can get 2 groans from people when the question asks if JP will be a Star or Bust? Do people expect me to come in here and say hes the second coming of Jesus or Kelly? JP is still young in the league and I hope his star does rise!

But there are some GLARING facts about him that can sway you either way. My knock on him is his learning curve is bigger than a highway turn. Although I am the first to admit he played well and is learning from the preseason games and the competition. If you dont like what I said, post why you think he'll be a star. Dont groan me because Im playing devils advocate and not being JP nuthugger! Bandwagons arent fun things to jump on!

[jmb1099]

I dont understand how I can get 2 groans from people when the question asks if JP will be a Star or Bust? Do people expect me to come in here and say hes the second coming of Jesus or Kelly? JP is still young in the league and I hope his star does rise!

But there are some GLARING facts about him that can sway you either way. My knock on him is his learning curve is bigger than a highway turn. Although I am the first to admit he played well and is learning from the preseason games and the competition. If you dont like what I said, post why you think he'll be a star. Dont groan me because Im playing devils advocate and not being JP nuthugger! Bandwagons arent fun things to jump on!
Don't you dare equate Jesus with Kelly...everyone knows that's a comparison reserved only for Ted Bruschi

[Inetpub]

Sorry. I meant Jim Kelly. Not the Holcrumb.


LOL.

[Jan Reimers]

I think JP has every chance to be a star. From all indications, his maturity level and grasp of the pro game are catching up with his physical talent, which ought to be a helluva combination.

[The last buffalo fan]

I dont understand how I can get 2 groans from people when the question asks if JP will be a Star or Bust? Do people expect me to come in here and say hes the second coming of Jesus or Kelly? JP is still young in the league and I hope his star does rise!

But there are some GLARING facts about him that can sway you either way. My knock on him is his learning curve is bigger than a highway turn. Although I am the first to admit he played well and is learning from the preseason games and the competition. If you dont like what I said, post why you think he'll be a star. Dont groan me because Im playing devils advocate and not being JP nuthugger! Bandwagons arent fun things to jump on!

Actually three.

[jmb1099]

I think JP has every chance to be a star. From all indications, his maturity level and grasp of the pro game are catching up with his physical talent, which ought to be a helluva combination.

If his mind and body fully connect he is going to be a star. All indications right now show he is starting to figure it out

[The_Philster]

Actually three.
6....I see no similarities whatsoever with Leaf and short of a Southern California connection and a strong arm with mobility...no similarity with Johnson either.
1...he learns from his mistakes and the mistakes of others
2...he's improving still...RJ hit a plateau of mediocity and never rose above it
3...he actually comes across in interviews like he has a brain..something else completely unlike RJ

[Night Train]

Early on, he will probably drive us crazy, like an erratic Brett Favre. I can see him slowly getting better as the year goes on.

Finding Evans on a couple deep ones each week and throwing short to McGahee and TE's Royal and Everett should settle him through tough times.

[TigerJ]

I dont understand how I can get 2 groans from people when the question asks if JP will be a Star or Bust? Do people expect me to come in here and say hes the second coming of Jesus or Kelly? JP is still young in the league and I hope his star does rise!

But there are some GLARING facts about him that can sway you either way. My knock on him is his learning curve is bigger than a highway turn. Although I am the first to admit he played well and is learning from the preseason games and the competition. If you dont like what I said, post why you think he'll be a star. Dont groan me because Im playing devils advocate and not being JP nuthugger! Bandwagons arent fun things to jump on!

Not that you should like them, but remember that groans are pretty harmless. They do not count against your rep, while you do get one positive rep point for every thanks you get. If someone really wanted to show displeasure, they could have negged you. If you have a few powerful enemies, they can neg you right into negative territory. If you haven't heard yet, you can divide a person's power to give by two, and that is how much they can set you back every time you get negged.

[TigerJ]

Im leaning towards a Rob Johnson clone. RJ had all those physical attributes also. I know Im going to get booed for that but me typing this is already going to get booed anyways. I love the Bills no matter whos at QB. Personally I'd like a QB that can think on his feet and win games by time management and knowing what the right throws are and what to do at certain times in the game.

Although I really think JP has the physical attributes, I get the feeling his heads been played with too much already. I would like to see him succeed but it wouldnt be a surprise if he pulls an RJ in 2 years time. Dont take this as a final word though as the question was asked if he is going to be a star or bust. I might be playing devils advocate but someone has too.

Verdict: Bust

I won't groan at you, but I will state the obvious. There are lots of QBs who come from California, and the things Losman has in common with RJ are for the most part what talent evaluators look for in young QBs: a good arm and athleticism. RJ actually played at Southern Cal, as big a football school as you can get. He had plenty of exposure to a pro style offense before he ever got drafted. That he could not seem to understand you have to get rid of the football after a certain length of time and accept what the defense gives you has nothing to do with the athleticism or his So Cal orgins. It looks this summer as if JP Losman, who did not have the experience of a big time college program in a pro style offense is starting to learn that lesson. Yes, he got sacked a number of times and that has to change, but there were many times when he was able to go through his reads quickly and threw short completions to his checkdown receiver.

To look at JP, note that he's a dark haired, dark complected So Cal boy who's athletic, and a little cocky and immediately think of RJ smacks of superstition more than anything else. I will respectfully disagree. I think JP is going to be a successful QB, and I can't wait to see it happen.

[Meathead]

Early on, he will probably drive us crazy, like an erratic Brett Favre. I can see him slowly getting better as the year goes on.

two-and-two to start the season baby. two-and-two

if they can do that he should be getting into a groove by then. probably not the carson palmer last year groove but maybe the palmer the year before. hes had enough time to operate on that level relatively early in the season

with the offensive talent available that should be good enough for the bills to compete on an 8-8 level and from there its only a couple breaks to a possible wc or better

[LtBillsFan66]

too early to tell.

[LifetimeBillsFan]

RJ is a nerd in terms of a football player. JP is a street smart player.

For example, when RJ drops back, you count 2001, 2002, 2003, ... as he goes through his reads 1,2,3 ... and Wham he gets sacked because he has no sense of pressure.

When JP drops back, you count 2001, 2002, 2003, ... as he goes through his reads 1,2,3 and off he goes to dodge the first guy who'd sacked him. In his college days and last year, he'd go wildly and totally on his own after that. This preseason, he seemed to just step up/side a bit and continued his progression of reads.

When Brady drops back, you count 1,2,3 (not the 2001, 2002, 2003 pace) ... as he goes through his reads 1, 2, 3 and boom the ball is out his hand, oftenly he throws the ball to a place where he anticipate his receivers to be.

Losman at this point, does not do the anticipation very well, particularly in those short/middle routes that are Brady's picnic area.

When Favre (in his prime) drops back, you count 2001, 2002, 2003, ... as he goes through his reads 1,2,3, he could let go of the ball as he feels the pressure and has a place to go with the ball, but he dodges the pass rusher because he sees something developing further down the field and then launches a laser for that play.

There is a reason people compare JP to Favre because JP has exactly the same mentality as Favre in terms of penchant for big plays.

Excellent point! Took the words out of my mouth with the last sentence about Favre.

Now, don't get me wrong: I am NOT predicting that JP will be as good as Brett Favre--it is way too early to tell that yet--so please don't interpret what I am about to say as meaning that. OK?

However, ghz in pittsburgh raises an excellent point: the player that JP Losman was generally compared to when he came out in the draft was Brett Favre and that comparison was apt: like Favre, JP has the kind of strong arm, mobility and big-play play-making ability that makes coaches drool. But, also like Favre, JP was raw and needed time to develop--to learn how to utilize his talents on the NFL level. Favre has become such an iconic figure in the league that people often forget that he struggled his first couple of years--the Falcons gave up on him before he ever got to Green Bay. And, JP was not as mature as Favre, personality wise, when he came into the league, so, realistically, it had to be considered that JP might take longer to develop than Favre because he lacked some of that maturity. Which is why JP was a bit of a risk in comparison to the three QBs taken ahead of him in the draft.

While JP has the potential--that many observers have noted--to be a Favre-type player, there are a couple of things that he must demonstrate, first, if he is ever to come close to achieving that potential.

First, he has to show that he has the ability to learn, develop and mature enough to utilize his talents effectively on the NFL level. Prior to last year JP showed that he was willing to put in the time and work towards that, but perhaps the most important thing to come out of this off-season for the Bills is the fact that JP has shown that he does, indeed, have that ability: he has learned, improved and shown greater maturity. Still, I think we all recognize that he has a long way to go yet and this process must continue. There are signs that indicate that it will, but it is still too early to tell whether this will happen quickly enough for JP reach the level that Favre attained at the height of his career. JP is certainly intelligent enough and has shown the determination necessary, but the question is whether he can achieve the level of emotional maturity necessary to put all of the pieces together in the way that is required for a player to be a top-flight NFL QB.

The second thing that JP must demonstrate in order to reach is potential and be a star in the NFL is the kind of determination and force of will that separates the great QBs from the good ones and that has made Favre legendary. If you think back, how many times did Favre play so-so in a game and then, with the game on the line, drive his team to victory as if, no matter how poorly things had gone to that point, he was simply determined not to let his team lose? How many times did it appear that Favre simply willed his team to a win over an opponent that was seemingly better than the Packers? Whether outwardly cool or fiery, all of the great QBs seem to have an inner drive, determination or force of will within themselves that allows them either put their team on their back when the chips are down and/or to inspire their teammates when all seems lost into believing that he will lead them to a win. While we know that JP is an emotional guy and that he has some some determination in bouncing back from the personal setbacks that he has had in his career thus far, JP has yet to show whether he has that force of will and determination that all of the great ones have. But, then again, he has not yet had an opportunity to show it either because he has not yet been in a situation where he has been called upon to demonstrate that ability or had the foundation to be able to demonstrate it if it had been demanded of him.

If JP continues to learn, develop and mature as a QB and as a team leader, those situations will arise and that test will come. But, IMHO until he faces that test and we have a chance to see how he responds to it, it will be impossible to say, with any degree of certainty, whether he will be a star or just a good NFL QB or a bust. I don't know if that test will come this season or not, but I will be watching carefully to see if it does and, if it does, to see how JP responds to the situation. We know what happened when Favre was put to that test and how JP does when he faces IMHO it will go a long way to showing whether he can truly become a Favre-like QB for the Bills.

[HAMMER]

*************STAR***************
To even ,mention him in the same breath as Leaf is unjust. Leaf was a piss ant, Losman has shown class throughout alot of uncertainty.

[~CHIEF~]

^ **** Leaf!

[Captain gameboy]

I'm an optimist on this kid, and I can't help but think of Bradshaw when I think of him, moreso than Favre.

What I like is that the O is being manned by guys that I think will suit him at the receiver slots. An absolute abundance of speed.

What troubles me is that the guy just plain misses throws because he is not nearly as accurate as he is athletic. That is a problem, and maybe fatal.

Anyway, I would really like for him to get some stability in the coaching staff and offensive scheme for a little time, as it seems clear that his learning curve is a little flatter than we hoped for, though he seems to be in a bit of a good zone now.
He has really be undercut by instability.

Additionally, there is nothing about his current attitude that I don't like.
Even though he says all the silly nonsense to the press that they all do, it is obvious that he really wants this to work.

RJ always seemed to have that "Oh well," attitude.

[Historian]

I think he's take a couple of steps this off-season.

He goes through his progressions better, and is even looking off the safety at times. He will get better with both as he plays more.

After having "The Franchise" QB us for a decade, and then stumble for ten years to try to find a replacement, I would be happy to have a methodical, workman like QB running the team, as opposed to finding the next superstar.

And for the record, he reminds me of Jack Kemp.

Very strong armed, and very strong willed. When he scrambles, he runs straight up, always eyeing the field. He then dives for his target, ala Kemp.

Go look at some highlights of JK and you'll see what I mean. They're even about the same build.

[YardRat]

Too early to tell...I'll wait until the regular season to see how much he's progressed over last year. Some of his play during the first three preseason games indicates that he's getting better, not worse, and that's a positive sign.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

RJ is like a QB developed in a vacuum, force-fed with vitamins and playbook, prepared to be an NFL QB in a pro-style life. Wasn't his father his coach for a long time? But when he steps out of his vacuum, he can't survive in real world.

Losman is like a man happened to play QB from the wild. He probably never getting close to the formal training that RJ received. And JP went to Tulane, probably never learned how to study play book and read defense the way the pros do - I wrote in a post before that he just learned this year there is more to just memeorize the playbook! Now before you guys mention Ramsey who went to Tulane as well, I remind you that Ramsey went to the Manning QB camp several years in a row (a fact that Peyton Manning mentioned) and Losman probably could not afford to go there.

So in a way Losman is just learning to work, study, and of course play like a pro-QB formally, after a harsh lesson last year. This is why I still think he resembles Favre because Favre went through the same path - a naturally gifted (wild) football player graduated from formal pro-training/NFL-bashing. My point is that if Losman graduates, he will be a star like Favre; if he does not, he will be a bust. There is just no middle ground.