Two Bills Drive

Orchard Park, NY – The Bills organization was saddened today by the news that former General Manager John Butler has passed away at the age of 56. Butler had been diagnosed with cancer last July and died of complications from the disease this morning.

A native of Illinois, Butler had several stops throughout the country during his career but spent 14 years – one quarter of his life – working for the Buffalo Bills.

‘Butler’s first-ever selection for Buffalo and his top choice in 1988 was running back Thurman Thomas, who was chosen in the second round after 27 teams passed on him. Buffalo’s top pick in 1989 wasn’t until the third round and Butler selected receiver Don Beebe, who played for six Super Bowl teams. Perennial Pro Bowl guard Ruben Brown, Pro Bowl receiver Eric Moulds, running back Antowain Smith and cornerback Antoine Winfield were also among Butler’s first-round picks in Buffalo.’

‘Butler’s NFL tenure spanned 18 seasons, including four in San Diego and 14 with Buffalo from 1987-2000, where he had a hand in making the Bills one of the NFL’s most-successful teams of the 1990s. Buffalo went to the playoffs 10 times and had a 140-83 (.628) record during his time with the team, second only to San Francisco’s 156-67 (.699) record during that period.’

‘Chargers General Manager John Butler, who was diagnosed with cancer last July, died of complications from the disease on Friday morning. He was 56.’

Talk about your memories of Mr. Butler on The Stadium Wall.

Speedy cornerback who provides experience and depth to young secondary. ideal for "gunner" position on punt coverage with speed and size…drafted by Tennessee in third round (77th overall) in 1998.

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‘"I think this is a chance for a fresh start and most important the Bills wanted me," Sidney said. "They say they’re going to give me a chance to compete like everyone else. I don’t think they’re going to sign a guy just to sit."’

‘”We like the kid, but it didn’t seem to be the right fit,” said Tom Donahoe, Bills GM. “He probably projects to start there, I imagine, and for us he probably wouldn’t. So he may be in a better situation where he is.” Restricted free agents, such as O’Hara, have until next Thursday to sign an offer sheet from other teams.’

‘Place-kicker Mike Hollis, who played for the Buffalo Bills last season, has signed with the New York Giants.’

‘”Josh made some big plays for us as a rookie, and he’s been working really hard this off-season,” Bledsoe said. “He doesn’t have that blazing, stretch-the-field speed that Peerless has, but he’s a dependable guy who’s tough to bring down after he catches it. We are looking for big things out of him, and he’ll be helped by (free agent acquisition) Bobby Shaw.”‘

‘Sidney, a third round draft pick by the Titans in 1998, will be reunited with several familiar faces in Buffalo. His former defensive coordinator with the Titans, Gregg Williams, is now head coach of the Bills, and his old position coach in Tennessee, Jerry Gray, is Buffalo’s defensive coordinator.’

‘Sidney signed for the NFL veteran minimum of $530,000 and also received a $25,000 signing bonus.’

”’I think Keith Armstrong is one of the better special teams coaches in the league, and I think Charlie is the missing piece for that return game,” Scott said.’

‘"We feel Charlie could be the missing piece on special teams for the Dolphins," said agent Everett Scott, whose client spurned an offer from the New York Jets to sign with the Dolphins. "The opportunity really presents itself. It’s a pretty attractive scenario."’

‘With the Bills in 2002, Rogers averaged 20 yards on kickoff returns and 5.3 yards on punt returns. Both averages were lower than those of Dolphin returners Travis Minor (23.3) and Dedric Ward (10.6), but Miami thinks Rogers is better-suited for its return scheme than Buffalo’s.’