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While they create a lot of "bad luck" on their own, it does seem like the Raiders are a snake-bitten franchise. Just when they finally started to play well -- benching JaMarcus Russell was likely the main factor -- Bruce Gradkowski falls injured. When it rains for the Raiders, it pours. Gradkowski didn't just injure one knee, he damaged ligaments in both knees. With just three games left and the Raiders wanting to finish 2009 on a high note, they needed to sign a veteran quarterback. Enter J.P. Losman.
Losman is coming off a season where he led the Las Vegas Locomotives to a 5-2 record and the UFL Championship in the league's inaugural season. In seven games, Losman completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 1,386 yards. He threw nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. He has the type of big arm that the Raiders love with all their speedy wideouts and is mobile in the pocket.
Losman was the Bills' first round draft pick back in 2004 out of Tulane, but he could never hold down the starting gig. He compiled a pedestrian-at-best 75.6 quarterback rating in parts of five seasons -- winning just 10 of his 33 starts. He completed more than 60 percent of his passes in his last three seasons, but continued to be killed by his propensity to not take very good care of the football (which 34 picks and 34 fumbles in 42 games show to be an understatement).
Still, the Raiders only have Russell and Charlie Frye in-house. Russell has completed just 48 percent of his passes this season and has 10 interceptions to just two touchdown passes. His attitude is probably a much bigger problem -- though the biggest problem is his gargantuan contract. Frye just doesn't have much talent.
Let's also consider maturity and the humility Losman likely gained by being forced to play in the UFL. He could have learned some lessons and grown as a football player in his season off. Remember, Tommy Maddox returned from the XFL to have a serviceable 2002 as the Steelers' starting quarterback, so there's precedent.
It seems as though Losman will be the Raiders' best option the instant he learns enough of the offense. That likely won't happen early enough for the Raiders' game in Denver this coming week, but they have what appears to be a very winnable game in Cleveland in Week 16. Maybe Losman is ready to take the reins by then.
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