Two Bills Drive

Buffalo Bills News and Discussion

Archives for January 5, 2001

The Chargers did it: Butler takes GM job

‘Once Butler became available —- after contract talks with Bills owner Ralph Wilson collapsed —- Spanos spurned other candidates and put Butler No. 1 on his list.’

John Butler comes on board as GM

‘Buffalo owner Ralph Wilson denied the Chargers permission to talk to Smith yesterday, but a source said San Diego will seek to overturn Wilson’s decision today by asking the commissioner’s office to review Smith’s contract.’

Ralph Wilson is firing back

‘…the 82-year-old owner of the Buffalo Bills yesterday denied the Chargers permission to interview his pro personnel director, A.J. Smith, for an undisclosed front office position.’

Wilson Passes The Ax

‘It’s even harder to imagine Donahoe, who lost his job in Pittsburgh after a power struggle with Steelers coach Bill Cowher, being force-fed an incumbent coach.’

Bills coaches’ futures to be decided by new GM

‘Phillips, who is well-liked by the players, was criticized for his handling of quarterbacks Rob Johnson and Doug Flutie. Blame also fell on the Bills offensive coaching staff, headed by coordinator Joe Pendry, and first-year special teams coach Ronnie Jones.’

CHARGERS TAP BUTLER AS GM

‘Butler will triple his salary, according to NFL and San Diego sources. His deal is worth $7.5 million over five years, the sources said, which is believed to put him among the top five paid GMs in the league.’

BILLS’ LOSS OF BUTLER HURTS IN MANY WAYS

‘Butler was always supportive of the Bills’ players, sometimes to a fault. No matter how serious a player’s transgressions off the field, he wouldn’t publicly condemn his actions. He sometimes would protect players by limiting our access to them. That circle-the-wagons mentality didn’t go over well with the media or the public, but it made him a hero in the Bills’ locker room.’