Wednesday, December 14, 2011

UFL Player Update Heading Into NFL Week 15

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - Former United Football League quarterback J.P. LOSMAN saw action for the Miami Dolphins in relief of injured starter Matt Moore in Week 14 of the NFL season and might start against the Buffalo Bills, the team that drafted him in 2004, this Sunday.

Losman completed 6 of 10 pass attempts for 60 yards, but was also sacked 4 times, including once for a safety to end the scoring in a 26-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I thought he did some pretty good things," said Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano.  "For his first time out there really in quite a while there's going to be some things he's going to be able to learn from.  But I was pleased with what he did when he went into the game in those circumstances."

In 2009, Losman completed 102 of 163 passes for 1,193 yards 9 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in leading the Las Vegas Locos to the inaugural UFL Championship Game where he orchestrated a 20-17 overtime win from under center over the Florida Tuskers.

Losman will play under interim head coach Todd Bowles, who was appointed after Sparano was relieved of his duties this week, if he sees action against the Bills on Sunday in Buffalo.

The Bills will feature starting tackle ERIC PEARS (Omaha 2010) and guard COLIN BROWN (Hartford 2010) who both played in a 37-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers this past weekend.  Pears has signed a contract extension with the Bills after starting 13 games at right tackle in his first full season with the Bills on an offensive line that has allowed a NFL-low 17 sacks in 2011.

Chargers kicker NICK NOVAK (pictured, Florida 2010) the 2010 UFL Special Teams Player of the Year, hit a 47-yard field goal and 4 of 5 extra point attempts in his team's win.

Another former Florida Tuskers standout, defensive end ERIC MOORE, returned to the active roster of the New England Patriots in a 34-27 win over the Washington Redskins, whose kicker GRAHAM GANO made field goals from 24 and 25 yards and 3 of 3 extra points.  Long snapper NICK SUNDBERG (California 2009) and defensive end DARRION SCOTT (Florida 2010) also featured for the Redskins.

Running back LORENZO BOOKER (Hartford 2010) rushed 3 times for 17 yards as the Minnesota Vikings lost 34-28 to the Detroit Lions and included former Sacramento Mountain Lions safety ANDREW SENDEJO, who made a special teams tackle after being activated from the practice squad.

2010 UFL Defensive Player of the Year ISAIAH TRUFANT posted a special teams stop as his New York Jets won 37-10 against the Kansas City Chiefs.  There were also wins for a pair of former Hartford Colonials safeties in QUINTIN DEMPS, who had a 20-yard kickoff return as the Houston Texans outlasted the Cincinnati Bengals 20-19, and EMMANUEL COOK, who lined up for the Baltimore Ravens in a 24-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Kicker MATT BRYANT (Florida 2009) made a 34-yard field goal to trigger an Atlanta Falcons comeback from 27-3 down to eventually top the Carolina panthers 31-23 and also tagged on 4 of 4 extra points.  Fellow kicker STEVEN HAUSHKA split the uprights from 48, 42 and 23 yards and was good on 3 of 3 extra points as the Seattle Seahawks cruised past the St Louis Rams 30-13 on Monday Night Football.

Fullback TYLER CLUTTS (Sacramento 2010) started for the Chicago Bears in a 13-10 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos and defensive tackle SHAUN SMITH (Las Vegas 2009) made a tackle as the Tennessee Titans lost 22-17 to the New Orleans Saints.

About The United Football League: The UFL provides high-quality professional football during a traditional fall season while embracing innovation and fan interaction. The UFL serves its local communities with pride and dedication, and aims to provide every fan with an exciting and memorable game experience. The inaugural 2009 champion Las Vegas Locos won a second championship in 2010, lifting the William Hambrecht Trophy with a second win over the Florida Tuskers. The 2011 season champion Virginia Destroyers defeated the Locos in the Championship Game.  The four-team competition featured the Locos, Destroyers, Omaha Nighthawks and Sacramento Mountain Lions. The UFL is led by Commissioner Michael Huyghue and is funded by a consortium of private investors. For season tickets, more information and to interact with passionate football fans, please visit UFL-Football.com.