By Jay Skurski
ORCHARD PARK — My how times have changed for J.P. Losman.
A year ago at this time, the Buffalo Bills quarterback was set to take over as the starter. At just 24, Losman was stepping into one of the most high-profile jobs in Western New York.
But after a 2005 season that saw Buffalo go 5-11 and Losman struggle as the starter, the franchise went through a major reorganization.
Gone are general manager Tom Donahoe, coach Mike Mularkey and Losman’s mentor, quarterbacks coach Sam Wyche. In other words, all the men responsible for bringing Losman to Buffalo.
“It’s back to learning a whole new offense,” Losman said after Thursday’s organized team activity at Ralph Wilson Stadium. “I’m just taking all the things I learned from my past coach, Sam Wyche, on how to study and different ways to pick up the offense faster ... I’m using all those techniques I learned last year to help me out this year.”
Losman appeared in nine games for the Bills in 2005, starting eight. He threw for 1,340 yards, with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions, compiling a quarterback rating of 64.9.
Whether it was Losman or journeyman Kelly Holcomb under center for the Bills, 2005 was a woeful year for the Buffalo offense.
The Bills finished 28th in total offense, and 29th in passing yards.
That prompted new GM Marv Levy to sign former Green Bay Packers backup Craig Nall to compete with Losman and Holcomb for the starting job.
Add in new coach Dick Jauron and offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild, and everything Losman knew last year has changed.
“The situation that I’m in this year ... it’s different. It’s definitely different from a coaching-staff standpoint for the most part,” he said.
Asked about how he’s adjusted to the new regime, Losman had a simple answer.
“You just gotta play ball,” he said. “You have to adjust. You play because you love this game. You come out here every day to work hard, but you love playing, you love competing. That’s what it’s all about.”
Jauron has maintained his position that the three quarterbacks will go into training camp competing for the No. 1 job. He feels competition is the way to bring out the best in all players.
“They’re learning,” the coach said. “And it is a process. They’ve all done pretty well at times. They’ve all looked bad at times, that’s just the nature of the thing.”
Jauron didn’t sound like he was anywhere near making a decision on the quarterback situation Thursday.
“We recognize what these are and what they aren’t, and that’s contact football,” he said of the OTAs. “And that’s the game we play.
“The competition will keep going and we’ll start camp and see where it goes. That’s where it will really be decided.”
Contact Jay Skurski at 693-1000, Ext. 117.
