‘”There’s definitely a surprise,” Bills linebacker John Holecek said. “You don’t expect this. . . . The timing is what’s shocking. We kind of expected some changes, but not at this time.”‘
BillsBeat - December 20, 2000
BUTLER HAD LONG STRING OF SUCCESS STORIES
‘The free-agent salary cap also came into play in 1993, but Butler didn’t seem encumbered by it.’
BUTLER'S FIRING MAY PORTEND MORE UPHEAVAL FOR THE BILLS
‘The Bills’ performance has been miserable in the past four weeks, increasing pressure on the coaching staff. The offense, in particular, has been a big disappointment.’
RALPH'S RUSH TO JUDGMENT A SAD SPECTACLE
‘Now Butler is gone, too, like Polian the victim of his owner’s rash and dubious judgment. Wilson fired him Tuesday for refusing to sign a new contract and take himself out of the running for other GM positions in the league — specifically, the San Diego job that is apparently his for the taking.’
BillsBeat - December 19, 2000
GM John Butler Fired!
‘Owner Ralph Wilson was stunned over the whole thing. He was particularly disturbed that Butler seemingly did not want to stay with the Bills. Wilson said since July he talked to Butler six times about renewing his contract, but Butler was non-committal each time – as if he had some place to go already, or he wanted to be somewhere other than Buffalo all along.’
Bills send Butler packing
"I said, generally speaking, ‘John, if you can’t give me an answer that you’re going to be the general manager of the Bills, now, not in the future, not after the last game, then I’m going to have to look elsewhere,’ " Wilson said he told Butler. "He was just nonchalant about it and left."
Bills fire Butler
‘The Buffalo Bills on Tuesday fired general manager and executive vice president John Butler. "John Butler has been dismissed of his duties as executive vice president and general manager of the club effective immediately," team owner Ralph Wilson said in a prepared statement delivered at Bills headquarters.’
Flutie, not Johnson, likely to start finale
‘In what may be considered a mercy move by many Bills fans, Bills coach Wade Phillips said yesterday that quarterback Rob Johnson will probably sit out the season finale Saturday in Seattle.’
Johnson needs to help himself
‘It boils down to this: If the Bills’ deep thinkers still believe that Rob Johnson is their quarterback of the future, then there can be no future in Buffalo for Joe Pendry and Carl Mauck.’
Phillips taking heat from every side
‘Phillips took a big chance in his decision to go with Johnson over Flutie, and Johnson obviously has let him down.’
Patriots fans flock to Flutie
‘The storytelling wasn’t restricted to the game. CBS cameras caught some guy on one knee dropping his engagement ring while proposing. A cheerleader was led away by security guards, and while no one has gotten to the bottom of that story yet, it made for interesting viewing.’
Pats' problems snowball
‘The coaches deserve credit for keeping the team focused through the obstacles they faced because of the weather. Even beyond that, however, the game plan on both offense and defense was modified dramatically and effectively as the conditions deteriorated during the day.’
Johnson likely to miss Bills season finale with concussion
‘Injury-prone quarterback Rob Johnson, recovering from the third concussion he’s suffered this year, will probably miss the Buffalo Bills season finale on Saturday.’
Not so special teams
‘Phillips committed a mistake a year ago when he made a change. He commits a mistake this year if he doesn’t make one again.’
BILLS FIRE BUTLER AS GM
‘Owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. had been on record as praising Butler’s work and wishing to sign him to a new contract. But Butler had declined to negotiate seriously with the Bills and had expressed an interest in seeking his market value before making a commitment.’