Falcons land Turner; now they need Losman
...That was the third part of my plan: Go for a "young veteran" who has had some success rather than gambling on a high first-rounder such as Matt Ryan or Brian Brohm. Besides, with Turner already signed, the Falcons could use their first-round pick to help their defense.
The man I suggested they go after is still out there, being dangled as trade bait by his current team. The Bills probably would part with J.P. Losman for something like a third-round draft pick. Compare that cost with what the rookie salary structure would make the Falcons pay Ryan or Brohm.
I've been a Losman fan since I saw him at the Senior Bowl four years ago, and I still think he can eventually be right there with the other three quarterbacks drafted in the first round of 2004: Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger.
Losman, although not Vick-like, is a fine athlete with good mobility. Despite a pretty good '06 season that proved he could be a full-time starter in the NFL, he fell out of favor quickly in Buffalo. Last season, rookie Trent Edwards looked more like the quarterback Dick Jauron desired.
Losman's weaknesses are his erratic play and decision-making, but just as he was improving in those areas, the turf was pulled out from underneath him.
The Dolphins and the Chiefs figure to be the Falcons' foremost rivals for Losman's services. Like Atlanta, those teams might prefer to obtain a talented quarterback with starting experience instead of a pricey and unknown quarterback available early in the first round.
Although it wasn't how I drew it up, the Falcons did well to come away with Smith as their coach and Turner as their running back. As for that third stage of my Falcons' revival plan, Losman remains their best option.
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