Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick gets buzz cut, keeps trademark beard

— -- FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Less than one week into training camp, the New York Jets have made a significant cut at the quarterback position.

Ryan Fitzpatrick's big hair is gone.

The starting quarterback, who created a stir by reporting to camp last week with overgrown locks in addition to his trademark bushy beard, showed up for practice on Wednesday with a buzz cut.

The beard, though, remains.

"Clearly, I'm disappointed in him," said center Nick Mangold, known for his long hair and prodigious beard. "He looks like a tennis ball. But, on the other hand, his beard is still intact and I'll take beard over head hair."

Fitzpatrick, still wearing his game face after practice, avoided photographers and declined to meet with reporters. Clearly, he didn't want his new hairstyle to become a big story. These aren't the Rex Ryan Jets anymore, as coach Todd Bowles prefers a businesslike approach.

"I really don't have a comment," Bowles said of Fitzpatrick's new look. "It's hot, so to not have a lot of hair is good."

Wide receiver Eric Decker told the New York Daily News that Fitzpatrick shaved his head because he lost a bet, but he wouldn't reveal any specifics.

Fitzpatrick hinted of a possible haircut on Tuesday, when he told ESPN's NFL Live, "Hopefully, we'll cut it soon. If anything, it's kind of given people something else to talk about other than the contract."

Fitzpatrick's months-long contract dispute ended on the eve of camp, when he signed a one-year deal for $12 million. He said some teammates laughed at his hair when he walked into the first team meeting.

The new 'do was unveiled on a day in which Fitzpatrick enjoyed his best practice of training camp, throwing touchdown passes to four different players. It was quite a turnaround from Tuesday, when the offense sputtered throughout practice. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall was so frustrated that he punted a football over the bleachers at the end of the practice.

A slumping Fitzpatrick made headlines last November when he shaved down his beard and the team promptly started a five-game winning streak. It was the best stretch of his career, and he finished with a team-record 31 touchdown passes.

Maybe it's a good-luck thing.

"I rubbed his head for good luck this morning," Mangold said, "and we carried on."