‘Johnson had a magnetic resonance imaging test on his right elbow this week. “There is a slight tear in the ligament in my elbow,” he said. “I’ve had it for two years now.”‘
BillsBeat - December 23, 2000
HEADS COULD ROLL IF BILLS THROW A STINKER IN SEATTLE
LAUGH TILL IT HURTS MORE THAN BILLS' EGOS ARE BRUISED AFTER 16 WEEKS OF FOOTBALL
‘”Every week, you can just say your platform drops as far as soreness,” said Wiley, who has been battling an elbow problem for the last six weeks. “Every week, consistently, overall you’re more sore than the week before and then depending on the game and the situation, how physical it was, it could be worse.”‘
BillsBeat - December 22, 2000
The Seahawks' opponent this week: Buffalo Bills
‘After defeating Tennessee in the opener, the highlight was a midseason stretch that saw the Bills go 4-0, winning three on the road. … The lowlight was a 33-6 defeat to the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 3, the second game in the Bills’ current four-game skid.’
Flutie says he'd like to stay
‘It would cost the Bills a $4.5 million salary cap hit to dump Flutie, and that figure rises to $6.5 million to dump Johnson. It’s financial suicide, and Flutie doesn’t see it happening.’
GM Butler spurns Bills' lucrative bids
‘During the last year of his contract, Butler kept hearing from other general managers and agents that he was grossly underpaid.’
Wasting time?
‘The defense rests. So should Spanos. He should stop his search for a general manager before it begins. He should do what’s best for his team and what’s right for his organization. He should hire John Butler. Now.’
Wiley's season has gone from tears to joy
‘While his back is still not fully healed, his mind is at ease. In his last seven games, Wiley has been in on 57 tackles, including a career-high 17 against New England, and recorded 7 1/2 sacks.’
Courting Mr. Butler
‘"It’s been said I was looking to get out," said Butler, "but that’s totally incorrect. My contract expired Feb. 28; two days later free agency starts. Most clubs have to have people in place and prepared the minute free agency opens. There wasn’t going to be any type of advantage for me."’
SALARY CAP COULD LEAD TO FLUTIE'S FAREWELL
‘It’s difficult to imagine them keeping two high-priced quarterbacks for another year. Flutie is scheduled to count $7.75 million against the cap next year, according to figures obtained by The News. Rob Johnson is scheduled to count $8.29 million. Both are under contract for two more seasons.’
BillsBeat - December 21, 2000
The secret diaries of Doug Flutie: I'm short and I'm good
‘Arrogant. Can you believe that? I know I’m good. I know I’m pretty. And, OK, maybe I shouldn’t have told all that stuff to that Sports Illustrated guy about Mushhead (Mushhead — heh, heh, heh, I kinda like that one), but that doesn’t mean I’m arrogant.’
One more song for Flutie
‘With the John Butler era in Buffalo officially over, the final chapter of the Doug Flutie saga might soon be written as well.’
Phillips dances the soft shoe
‘"My focus this week is on this ballgame," said Phillips, who is rumoured to be next in line for owner Ralph Wilson Jr.’s axe after Buffalo wraps up the regular season in Seattle on Saturday night at Husky Stadium.’
Bills have tough road to victory
‘They are traveling cross country to play the Seahawks in a game that has none of the meaning Phillips had hoped it would have. But jobs for 2001, including his, are at risk.’
'If I can't hire you, I'll fire you'
‘But the facts are these: Wilson’s contract offers weren’t competitive.’