Oakland signs Losman; Are the Raiders paving a path for Jim Fassel?
With Bruce Gradkowski limping around on two creaky knees, the Oakland Raiders decided to ink free-agent J.P Losman.
The former 22nd overall pick in the 2004 draft by the Buffalo Bills was at the Raider facility today taking a physical. With Buffalo, Losman’s record was 10-23 while compiling 33 touchdowns, 34 interceptions, 6,211 passing yards and a rating of 75.6.
When his contract expired after the 2008 campaign, the Bills showed no interest in re-signing him and eventually he landed in the United Football League. Losman played for the Las Vegas Locomotives coached by Jim Fassel and they ultimately won the inaugural UFL championship game 20-17 versus the Florida Tuskers. He tallied 193 passing yards on 21-of-35 completions during that contest.
Fassel has been linked to vacancies in the past on the Raiders coaching staff and his son, John, is currently the special teams coordinator for the Silver & Black.
Losman is known to have a strong arm, but the elder Fassel worked with him closely while in the UFL to refine his abilities.
Oakland head coach Tom Cable yesterday stated that he would look at his options before deciding who starts this weekend versus the Denver Broncos. JaMarcus Russell entered the game against the Redskins at the beginning of the 2nd half for the injured Gradkowski and the team only managed 39-yards of total net offense after tallying nearly 200 to start the game. Charlie Frye started in one game in 2008 – the last time he saw action in the league – going 12-of-23 for 83 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions during a 27-17 loss against the Green Bay Packers.
The Raiders also waived Roy Schuening and signed tackle Elliot Vallejo to the practice squad.
ANALYSIS
How the mighty have fallen. Once a promising passer with massive potential is now fighting to start a game late in the season against the likes of Charlie Frye. Russell’s career is on the bust path. And at this point, you can make the argument that Frye and Losman are better equipped to handle a NFL playbook and be at the helm of a professional offense.
Losman will be insurance. But you have to wonder, with John [Fassel] on the team, [Jim] Fassel having a history with Losman and Cable possibly on the outs, could this be the opening Jim has looked for to get a job back in the NFL?
No one is saying that Al Davis will completely give up on his big investment. We all know how much Davis cherishes his selections and how he throws his weight around to make sure certain players stick around and/or play when he wants. Hiring Fassel and Davis then justifying the hiring as a way to get Russell’s career going could be something we may hear in the near future. Davis can cite then how Fassel has won games with Danny Kannell as his passer, how he resurrected Kerry Collins’ career and how he’s tutored John Elway and Phil Simms.
Losman was not brought in to be the team’s next future starter. But there are many links now going back to Jim Fassel, and Davis has always been fond of his former offensive assistant (1994).
Fassel wants to coach. He has admitted to wanting to work in the league and stated he was ‘disappointed’ when the Washington Redskins decided to go with Jim Zorn instead, also saying, “I will get another chance,” after the tough process.
“I’m just surprised,” Fassel commented. “I’m hurt by it. Life moves on.”
Chances are, if Cable does not finish strong as he did last season, and after the off the field ruckus surrounding him all year, Davis may make another move to try to salvage his number one overall pick and his ever plummeting organization.
Fassel has a 60-56-1 record (regular and post-season). His Giants won the NFC Championship game in 2000, and they also won two division titles during his stay in New York. Oakland isn’t a hot spot for coaching. And Oakland may be looking for one again this off-season…
Fassel will surely be one of the few coaches that would want the job and Davis may be one of the few people that could spin it that this job is just right for him.
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
