Two Bills Drive

…that Ralph Wilson and Tom Donahoe are close to an agreement. The two will meet next week where they are expected to finalize a contract and begin planning for the 2001 season.

‘John Butler may have taken the first step toward becoming the Chargers’ next general manager when he spent most of Wednesday afternoon and evening meeting with club president Dean Spanos in Denver.’

‘While Butler might be the leading candidate, Spanos has said he’ll consider others, some of whom might be with playoff teams. Johnston said Spanos told him he had spoken with another candidate, but didn’t say who.’

‘"Tom Donahoe and I had a discussion yesterday and we have decided to talk again," Wilson said in a statement Thursday. "It won’t be in six months. It will probably take place in the first part of next week."’

‘"It’s not easy playing quarterback here with the situation I’m in. It takes its toll. If it’s the same situation next year, I’ve got to get ready to deal with it all over again," Johnson said. "Public sentiment is so for Doug and it will always be for Doug."’

The Bills will draft 14th in the 2001 NFL draft held in April.

Although it may be a coincedence, here is a little factoid that MSNBC’s Gregg Easterbrook noted in a recent column: "… in 1999, with Gash lead-blocking, the Bills rushing offense ranked eighth, while this year, with the same runners and linemen but no Gash, Buffalo dropped to 17th. Gash is now with Baltimore, whose running game leapt from bottom-quartile in 1999 to fourth in 2000. This season Gash had two carries for two yards."

‘Wilson’s job search to replace fired general manager John Butler seems set up to lead to former Pittsburgh front office executive Tom Donahoe, who has emerged as the front-runner.’

‘Wilson, who gave Phillips a vote of confidence three weeks ago, has twice since refused to follow up on the endorsement.’

‘Yesterday, the Buffalo Bills’ head coach began meetings with team owner Ralph Wilson in Florida, presumably to save his job. At issue is the question of whether Saturday night’s impressive win at Seattle, and the fact he has a year remaining on his contract, is enough to bring him back next season … probably at the expense of a few assistant coaches.’

‘For his part, Pendry has no gifts at all. His game plans stink. His use of personnel is useless.’