Kerr
10-08-2005, 12:15 AM
The decision by Bills coach Mike Mularkey to sit down quarterback J.P. Losman and play the veteran Holcomb is the right thing to do. It's clear Losman is not ready to be a starter just yet. He does have some tools, and he does some impressive things. Seeing him live last Sunday against the Saints, I came away impressed with his speed and his arm strength. He makes some throws some quarterbacks can only dream of making. But he doesn't let plays develop, which is a curse for a young quarterback. Bills players were said to be pushing for a change, realizing this team can win this year if it gets better quarterback play. Is Holcomb the answer? He'll do a better job of getting the ball down the field. Word is that receivers Eric Moulds and Lee Evans were not thrilled with their limited use, which is why this move comes at the right time. Losman can still be the long-term answer -- and there was some thought of playing him and using this as a building year -- but this Buffalo team has talent. It's time to take a chance with Holcomb. If that doesn't work, they can always go back to Losman. But if they do, and he struggles, there will be major questions popping up about the decision to draft him. One more thing: Would the Bills have been better off keeping Drew Bledsoe? Just asking.
After seeing Bills cornerback Nate Clements play last Sunday, the Bills would be wise to lock him up to a long-term deal. Clements is a heck of a player who possesses big-time cover skills. He can become unrestricted free agent after the season, so the Bills have to do something. Clements is also good against the run.
As i've been saying, Losman can still be considered the future qb for this team even if he's not playing. If Holcomb falters against Miami, then they should let Losman ride out the rest of the season and stop this qb carousel because the season would be practically lost. One part I don't agree with Prisco is the notion that if Losman continues to struggle, they'll be questions about drafting him. Eli Manning got bad press when the Giants let him ride out the rest of the season last season, but look at him now. He's one of the best qb's right now in the league. The point is, young qb's need time to develop. These things just don't happen overnight. There's a maximum three year window for most young qb's, which indicate whether or not they can be successful qb's in this league.
After seeing Bills cornerback Nate Clements play last Sunday, the Bills would be wise to lock him up to a long-term deal. Clements is a heck of a player who possesses big-time cover skills. He can become unrestricted free agent after the season, so the Bills have to do something. Clements is also good against the run.
As i've been saying, Losman can still be considered the future qb for this team even if he's not playing. If Holcomb falters against Miami, then they should let Losman ride out the rest of the season and stop this qb carousel because the season would be practically lost. One part I don't agree with Prisco is the notion that if Losman continues to struggle, they'll be questions about drafting him. Eli Manning got bad press when the Giants let him ride out the rest of the season last season, but look at him now. He's one of the best qb's right now in the league. The point is, young qb's need time to develop. These things just don't happen overnight. There's a maximum three year window for most young qb's, which indicate whether or not they can be successful qb's in this league.