ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has an appointment with the barber shortly after he attends the Buffalo Bills final team meeting of the season.
The unruly, bushy beard he's been growing since taking over as starter in Week 3 is coming off Monday. If only the Bills' transformation from perennial loser to clean-shaven contender could happen as quickly.
The Bills (4-12) missed the playoffs for an 11th straight season, by closing with consecutive 31-point losses to bookend an 0-8 start.
Despite showing some signs of life under first-year coach Chan Gailey, the finish was a reminder of how many holes they have to fill. That rebuilding process will take place in an offseason in which Buffalo has the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft.
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