QB Losman likely staying in Buffalo despite trade request

4/16/2008 3:11 PM

By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -J.P. Losman doesn't appear to be going anywhere despite his request that the Buffalo Bills trade him.

``J.P.'s on this roster and he's a part of this organization. And we anticipate J.P.'s going to be on this team,'' Bills chief operating officer, Russ Brandon, said Wednesday.

``He's here and that's how we're approaching it,'' Brandon added.

Losman has one year left on his contract, but wants out of Buffalo after losing the starting quarterback job to rookie third-round pick Trent Edwards last season. It was the second time in three years Losman lost the No. 1 job. Veteran journeyman Kelly Holcomb beat him out midway through the 2005 season.

Losman reclaimed the job the following year, but that's not likely to happen again with the Bills intent on moving forward with Edwards as their starter this season.

Unhappy with how he's been treated, Losman made his trade request public through his agent, Gary Wichard, in early January. Wichard stressed that his client would play out his contract, but added he didn't foresee any way Losman would re-sign with the Bills once he becomes a free agent.

That means the Bills stand to lose Losman for nothing if they don't trade him.

The second of Buffalo's two 2004 first-round draft picks, Losman has been attending the team's offseason workout program, which began last month.

Brandon said the Bills value having two experienced quarterbacks on their roster, and noted there were more than 60 quarterbacks who made at least one start in the NFL last season.

Brandon discounted questions of whether Losman might be disgruntled if he's not traded.

``I don't think J.P.'s sulking here. He's a competitor,'' Brandon said. ``We had conversations with him like we do all of our guys who are back in for workouts. And we don't anticipate any sulking from J.P.''