J.P. Losman Signs with UFL's Las Vegas Team

NFL News - July 22nd, 2009 - Written by Bruce

Former Buffalo Bills Quarterback J.P. Losman has signed with the United Football League's Las Vegas team. This is the inaugural season for the UFL and Losman's signing makes him the league's marquee player. His head coach will be Jim Fasell who was formerly the coach of the New York Giants. The league will be a six game season and will consist of four teams. Losman chose joining the new league as opposed to being a backup in the NFL this season. He was selected 22nd overall of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Bills and was formerly their starting quarterback. He had been relegated to backup duties since the emergence of QB Trent Edwards and decided that starting in the UFL would be a better choice for him than being a backup yet again this year.

Jim Fasell is not the only former NFL head coach to join the UFL this season. All four UFL teams have former NFL coaches leading them. Along with Fasell coaching the Las Vegas team, Jim Haslett is coaching the Orlando team, Dennis Green will coach the San Francisco team, and Ted Cotrell is the coaching the New York team. With all four being well known as former NFL coaches, they add some credibility to the new league and Losman's signing gives the league it's first big name agreeing to play in the UFL this season. Losman is hoping to revive his career and that coach Fasell can do for his career what he did for John Elway, Kerry Collins, and Boomer Esiason. Coach Fasell said he liked Losman's abilities when he was coming out of Tulane. He liked his mobility and arm strength and said that Losman has the right attitude coming into this situation and is hoping to improve as a player.

Losman suffered through some injuries in the early part of his NFL career which may have hurt his development as a quarterback. His best season was in 2006 when he threw for 19 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and in impressive 62.5% completion percentage. The next season the team drafted Trent Edwards and Losman eventually lost his starting job. He was not happy about being a backup, but he did just that last season in Buffalo. The team did not resign him after the season which led to Losman joining the UFL. Losman's signed an undisclosed one year contract with the Las Vegas team which will be prorated over the six games. After the UFL title game which is being held in Las Vegas, Losman will be free rejoin the NFL.