On Tuesday the Buffalo Bills did the right thing and released quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick a day before he was due a $3 million roster bonus. There is no way the Bills could of sold the idea to the fans that Fitzpatrick would still be in the mix at qb.

   Never considered to be a franchise quarterback but rather serviceable, Fitzpatrick went 20-33 as a starter over four seasons in Buffalo. In 55 games in Buffalo, he's thrown 80 touchdowns and 64 interceptions, including a career-worst 23 in 2011

   Back in October of 2011, Fitzpatrick received a six-year, $59 million contract extension. He leaves Buffalo pocketing $21 million. 

    In releasing Fitzpatrick, the Bills deferred some of the cap hit they will take by giving him a post-June 1 designation. Fitz will count $3 million against this year's cap and $7 million against the cap in 2014.

   G-M Buddy Nix held out hope that Fitzpatrick would be open to restructuring his contract to be a backup. 

    Fitzpatrick took over the starting job three weeks into the 2010 season, after Trent Edwards was benched and then released a week later. Edwards replaced J.P. Losman, who turned out to be a first round bust. Losman replaces Drew Bledsoe, who was cut after taking the Bills to a 9-7 record. Bledsoe replaced Rob Johnson, who was released after the 2001 season. Johnson took over for Doug Flutie, who was sent packing after the 2000 season.

  The quarterback carousel continues.  The latest move leaves Buffalo with one experienced quarterback on its roster in Tavares Jackson. Next month the Bills will need to draft one if not two quarterbacks.