The Buffalo Bills announced that quarterback Kelly Holcomb will get the start this Saturday against the Carolina Panthers in their first preseason game. Head coach Dick Jauron stated that this does not mean Holcomb is winning the competition, and that he selected Holcomb based on seniority. J.P. Losman is probably going to get his chance to start in the second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

"It's based on seniority, there's no need to read anything else into it," Jauron said. "I think they'll both get a good deal of playing time, it just depends on how the game goes."

Although the Bills are in a three-way battle, it seems that battle is down to two by default. Craig Nall, who had shown a lot of promise, has been out since July 29th when he suffered a hamstring injury. Nall hopes to return next week, but that will probably be too late to win a starting job. Between Holcomb and Losman, neither man has had a clear advantage over the other. Both players have had difficulty in grasping the offense, but the slight edge could go to Losman.

"There's some different things in this offense and I'm getting a little bit comfortable with it everyday," said Holcomb. "But I think we've made some improvements. I think everybody's looking forward to getting on the field at Carolina and see what we take from the practice field to the game."

Losman realizes that this could be his time to shine, but is trying to be politically correct at the same time.

"It's the first preseason game, it's not really do-or-die or that's the answer," Losman said. "It's a preseason game and whoever the guy is still has a couple of games to show what they've got."

Last year, the Bills altered between Losman and Holcomb as quarterback after Losman began the season. During the season, Losman was 1-7 as a starter, not including a game in which he rallied the Bills to win after a Holcomb injury. Holcomb, on the other hand, was 4-4 as a starter. Holcomb moved the ball better offensively and took more chances, but he also created several costly turnovers.

PFC Analysis: Holcomb typically does well in the preseason. If that's what the coaches base their decision on, then Holcomb will begin the season as their starter. If they take into account Holcomb's age and injury history, Losman will start. Nall still has a chance, but he'll have to light it up when he returns.