04/19/24
July 21, 2009
For the love of the game: Good move or bad move? Doesn't seem J.P. cares, he just wants to get out there and have fun. How many other backups in the NFL out there are willing to take a possible hit in pride and wallet to play the game.
posted by sgtcookzane to football at 11:18 PM - 11 comments
I don't know if anyone has read Grisham's Playing for Pizza, but there's just something about this league (and this story) that reminds me of it. Sad, but somehow still a story there for these guys.
posted by Spitztengle at 01:38 AM on July 22, 2009
I am surprised the UFL decided to play in the fall. I thought they were going to play in college towns on Saturdays before the NFL and college football seasons.
posted by rcade at 08:14 AM on July 22, 2009
There are going to be some guys that see what J.P. is doing, and saw what Tom Watson did last weekend at Turnberry. It's going to get them thinking.
Some UFL team is going to have another Bubby Brister - Neil O'Donnell starting quarterback controversy.
Hope J.P.'s going to be OK. He's going from too much snow to not enough water.
He should at least have gone to camp with the Bills this year to get some practice throwing to T.O.
That way they'll already know each other when T.O. shows up in Vegas to be the "real" face of the new league.
If I were running the UFL, I'd try to bring in all the crazy NFL wideouts and pay 'em a little extra to do what they're going to do anyway. Pee in the Gatorade and hump the goal post.
There are enough fan fools who will pay to see stuff like that. Who needs nubile cheerleaders when you've got wall-climbing diagnosables in pads and helmets?
posted by beaverboard at 09:17 AM on July 22, 2009
They have enough big name coaches that they can be the face of the league. That is until they get Vinnie Testaverde, Warrick Dunn, Marvin Harrison, Derrick Brooks, Lavar Arrington, Michael Strahan, and Tiki Barber.
posted by bperk at 09:49 AM on July 22, 2009
Some UFL team is going to have another Bubby Brister - Neil O'Donnell starting quarterback controversy.
Oh, God.
posted by bdaddy at 10:46 AM on July 22, 2009
I don't think this is about wanting to just play the game as it is Losman realizing this might be his only shot to be a starter again in the NFL. He didn't exactly make a big splash during his 33(!) shots, so unless he finds somewhere to go and light it up big time, he's not going to see the field again except in the case of injury.
As for playing in the fall, I wonder if the UFL isn't trying to set itself up as a minor league. Play when the NFL plays and then try to sell contracts to NFL teams when they need an extra DB.
posted by wfrazerjr at 11:36 AM on July 22, 2009
I don't see how he can become the "face of the league" when he has a quote that says "We're trying to have as much success as possible here, try to create some buzz ... and then go through [NFL free agency] again next year."
So he states very plainly that he intends to be a one-and-done guy in this league. Let's put up the billboards now, UFL.
posted by bdaddy at 11:40 AM on July 22, 2009
As a Bills fan, I particularly liked this line from the Deadspin article:
Since Losman is now the face of the league, I assume they'll be changing the logo to a silhouette of a QB flat on his back.
And is Fassel talking about the same JP Losman from the last 4 years:
"You've got to be blind not to see this guy can play quarterback," the coach said.
Only two teams (Denver & Carolina) gave him a sniff in free agency, and those teams opted for Chris Simms and Josh McCown.
posted by Jeffwa at 01:13 PM on July 22, 2009
I read that book, Spitztengle. I liked it.
I say that J.P. should go play some football. UFL, af2, whatever. It's his life. If Favre can so can he.
It's strange, but somehow, this makes me miss the XFL.
posted by THX-1138 at 02:22 PM on July 22, 2009
That is until they get Vinnie Testaverde, Warrick Dunn, Marvin Harrison, Derrick Brooks, Lavar Arrington, Michael Strahan, and Tiki Barber.
Strahan is now an actor, don't think he's giving up the bright lights for more back pain.
posted by billsaysthis at 01:19 PM on July 24, 2009
Nothing against JP but if he's "the face" of this new league then they are doomed. The USFL had Herschel Walker and Steve Young, among others, just a bit higher profile than a guy who couldn't keep the starting spot for a non-playoff team over four years, and look how poorly that league did.