The excitement is building for Football Night in America on Sunday evening at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY as the Buffalo Bills host the unbeaten New England Patriots. And if there was any question as to who the Bills would be starting at quarterback, they were answered in a statement released today by Bills head coach Dick Jauron. Despite struggling in a 13-10 win over the Miami Dolphins two days ago (12 of 23 for 157 yards, no TDs and one INT), J.P. Losman will retain his starting role. The statement was to-the-point:

“We will continue with J.P. Losman as our starting quarterback for our game with New England this Sunday.”

This doesn’t surprise me although it couldn’t have been a slam dunk for Coach Jauron. J.P.’s experience and ability (although not always consistent ability) to put points on the board had to factor into the decision. I believe the Bills will need to put at least 30 points on the Pats to have any shot at winning and J.P. gives them their best chance to accomplish that right now. He’ll need to play near-perfect football, but that can be said for any QB playing New England this season.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

J.P. Losman to Get Start Against Patriots

The quarterback position in Buffalo seems to be a question mark each week, but it’s never because of one QB’s poor performance. After a knee injury sidelined J.P. Losman in the third game of the season against New England, rookie QB Trent Edwards took over, starting four consecutive games since against the Jets (twice), Cowboys and Ravens. With Trent suffering an arm injury last week in New York that will prevent him from starting this weekend against Cincinnati, it’s J.P.’s turn once again. Who the starter is if both QBs are healthy is anyone’s guess, but head coach Dick Jauron released this statement today in advance of his usual Wednesday presser:

“J.P. Losman will start Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Trent Edwards’ wrist will prevent him from participating until late in the week, if at all.”

Luckily, the Bills are in the enviable position of having both QBs performing well when they are healthy. But, I think J.P. gave the team an offensive spark last week against the Jets. Obviously his 85-yard TD toss to Lee Evans was a huge turning point in the game, but the whole offense seemed to go at a different speed when J.P. was in there. J.P. has more of a gunslinger mentality. He’ll take more chances with the ball. He’ll scramble and run more. He’s high-risk, high-reward. Trent is the calmer quarterback. He manages the game and probably makes better decisions with the football. Typically, he’ll have the higher completion percentage. Both are fine young quarterbacks, though.

I’ll be in the press box at Ralph Wilson Stadium this Sunday and I expect to see a more explosive Bills team against the Bengals. If J.P. can get hot and the defense can continue their solid play, the Bills are going to not only be a spoiler down the stretch, but they will fight for a Wild Card playoff spot.

AFP/Getty Images/File/Rick Stewart

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Buffalo Bills Forced to Switch QBs Again, J.P. Losman Will Start Sunday vs. Bengals

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

In an attempt to expand their fan base beyond Western New York, the Buffalo Bills announced today that they are seeking approval to play a preseason game and at least one regular season game in Toronto, Canada. The Bills hope to play a preseason game in Toronto next summer and a regular-season game there as early as 2009. The games would be played at Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome), a downtown stadium with a retractable roof that serves as home to baseball’s Blue Jays and the CFL Argonauts.

The Bills require both county and state approval to play “home games” outside of Ralph Wilson Stadium as a condition of their lease, which runs through 2012. The lease requires the team to play half its preseason and all of its regular-season home games in Orchard Park, NY. The Bills began the process by sending a letter of request to Erie County yesterday.

While I understand the team’s interest in broadening its audience, I fear this might alienate the fan base they already have in Buffalo. Personally, it doesn’t bother me. I work at all the Bills home games. And the company I work for is based in Toronto. Heck, a couple extra trips to TO each year would suit me just fine. But if I’m a season ticket holder, if I’m the loyal fan, I want to see games in OP. I want my two preseason and eight regular season games at the Ralph, not an hour and a half north in another country.

Over the years there’s been talk of an NFL franchise in Toronto and Buffalo has certainly been rumored as a possibility to move there. This only seems to add fuel to that fire although the Bills stressed the proposed games in Toronto are part of their regionalization plans and should not be considered a first step for the franchise’s relocation. It’s an interesting situation. Toronto newspapers have published stories speculating whether the city can be a viable NFL market, and most often mention the Buffalo Bills as a prime candidate. I expect my b5media family north of the border (and worldwide) to weigh-in on the issue so check the comments on this post.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Buffalo Bills Seek Approval to Play in Toronto