‘Chargers president Dean Spanos has said he would consider hiring a new general manager if the right man became available. That might have happened yesterday.’
Archives for December 20, 2000
Bills’ ex-boss has large appetite for winning
‘"He had heard the Chargers were holding a job open for Butler," said the source, "and when Ralph gets ticked off, he lashes out."’
Butler won’t be easily replaced
‘The owner, two more losses removed from those comments, conceded, "As far as Wade and the coaching staff is concerned, I’m here to talk about John Butler … so I’d rather not comment." That’s hardly a vote of confidence.’
Butler Has An Extra Week To Explore His Options
‘Put it this way: The 82-year-old Wilson isn’t planning to take a cross-country flight on Christmas weekend to do sightseeing in the Pacific Northwest. The one thing he is going to take careful notice of, though, is the effort of the players.’
Butler’s Firing All About Timing
‘With the San Diego Chargers poised to make Butler an offer he couldn’t refuse, and Wilson wouldn’t match … something had to be done as soon as
possible.’
Butler gets the boot
‘"Mr. Wilson is a shrewd businessman, and I think he wanted to sever ties with John Butler before he hit the open market. This way Wilson doesn’t come off looking as though he couldn’t compete."’
Contract flap leads Wilson to oust GM
‘And it was clear from Wilson’s description of events that Butler was not impressed enough by the contract offer the owner made in the past week.’
Butler had long string of success stories
‘Butler, considered among NFL’s elite personnel minds, broke into the pros after legendary coach George Allen read a newspaper clipping about a part-time University of Evansville assistant who worked nights at a 7-Eleven to pay the bills.’
Ralph’s rush to judgment a sad spectacle
‘He’s 54 years old. He’s widely regarded as the best GM on the market. This figures to be the contract of his life. You can’t blame him for wanting to get the best deal out there.’
Bills GM gets a present
‘By contrast, Butler used to start his day by chipping ice off the windshield and maybe listening to Ann Burke on the way to One Bills Drive.’
Impatient Bills fire GM Butler
‘"The reason for the dismissal is because John has refused to give me an answer as to his future intentions," Wilson said. "The time has come to move forward, and therefore I can wait no longer to see who will be the Bills’ general manager after this season."’
Bills owner decides Butler not interested
‘With a new season to plan for and no time to waste, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson said he couldn’t wait for an answer from John Butler any longer.’
Bills lose friend, not just GM
‘Agents reacted with shock. Butler was synonymous with the Bills and they said he bled for the team.’
Smith, Adams have an inside shot
‘Long-time personnel men A.J. Smith and Dwight Adams are among the leading candidates to replace the fired John Butler as general manager of the Buffalo Bills.’
Butler deserved better than this
‘With apologies to angry women everywhere, hell hath no fury as an NFL owner scorned.’