Happy Days Lois & Clark Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/colu...ack=1&cset=true Bills coming due The Bills are at a franchise crossroad. Drew Bledsoe or J.P. Losman? The Bills traded a first-round pick to get Bledsoe from the Patriots in April 2002. In the three seasons since, the team is 23-25 with Bledsoe at the helm, including 9-7 this season. Bledsoe wasn't great in '04. He completed 56.9 percent of his passes for 2,932 yards, 20 touchdowns, 16 interceptions and was sacked 38 times. Losman, meanwhile, watched for the better part of the year after breaking his leg in the preseason. He saw limited action in four games, throwing five passes. Still, the question isn't whether Losman will replace Bledsoe, but rather when. The Bills traded their first-round pick in 2005 to Dallas to move into Round 1 and nab Losman last April. He has a strong arm and an element of mobility that Bledsoe lacks. "But will he make the right decisions?" Bills owner Ralph Wilson said. "We've had a couple guys with great arms in the past, but along with that is his decision-making. . . . He won't set the world on fire right away." If Coach Mike Mularkey likes what he sees from Losman during offseason workouts and minicamp, Bledsoe's time with the Bills could be up. He's due to make $3.3 million in '05, with a salary-cap number in excess of $6 million. That's too much for a backup. Bledsoe reportedly is due a roster bonus of around $1 million in March. "Drew's had a tremendous career," Wilson said. "We'll see." Trade winds Bills General Manager Tom Donahoe confirmed this past week at the Senior Bowl that RB Travis Henry , who lost his starting job to Willis McGahee, was on the trading block. Here are some players including Henry who could make headlines as trade bait. Note: No trades can be made until the expiration of 2004 contracts March 2. Player Team The buzz RB Shaun Alexander Seattle May be shopped as franchise player WR Rod Gardner Wash. Redskins may draft a receiver RB Travis Henry Buffalo Frostproof native wants to play in Fla. RB Larry Johnson Kan. City He's not a good fit behind Holmes RB LaMont Jordan NY Jets Do Jets make him feature back? WR Randy Moss Minn. Act has grown old, but he has talent RB Ricky Williams Miami Someone will take him, and regret it. CB Charles Woodson Oakland Franchise tag in '04; now wants out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABills Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 Still, the question isn't whether Losman will replace Bledsoe, but rather when. "But will he make the right decisions?" Bills owner Ralph Wilson said. "We've had a couple guys with great arms in the past, but along with that is his decision-making. . . . He won't set the world on fire right away." "Drew's had a tremendous career," Wilson said. "We'll see." 223239[/snapback] I think old Ralph is going to have to see something before he allows the coaches to make the switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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