ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix would rather wait a week before providing a detailed assessment on what went wrong this season, and how he intends to fix it.
When it comes to sharing a general thought, Nix says there was "no excuse" for the team's seven-game skid.
"There's no excuse for losing seven games in a row. That was a complete downer and a complete surprise. I think we did get it back a little bit. We make all kind of excuses; injuries and that kind of thing. Even with that we should have done better. I think we've got a good nucleus. I'm excited in talking to the players. I'm excited about how they feel and excited about a new year. It's time we need to make sure we step up and get it done and I think we will."
After a surprising 5-2 start, the Bills (6-10) closed with a familiar thud by losing eight of nine to miss the playoffs for a 12th straight year.
If that's not enough cause for concern, leading receiver Stevie Johnson further clouded his future in Buffalo.
Eligible to become a free agent, Johnson was benched Sunday following his latest questionable touchdown celebration during a 49-21 loss at New England. Johnson did not make himself available to reporters Monday, when players cleaned out their lockers.