Archives for December 30, 2000

‘Butler, who was fired by the Bills last week, said yesterday he would like to sign with a new team before Jan. 8, the date teams open practice for the East-West Shrine Game in San Francisco.’

‘The only reason Donohoe is out of a job is because he lost a power struggle with Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher. To settle it, Steelers’ owner and president, Dan Rooney, opted to fire the personnel man, feeling it would have less effect on the team than axing the coach. He never said Cowher was more valuable than Donohoe.’

‘"We had a good meeting and talked about a lot of things," said Donahoe, who met with Wilson on Wednesday. "Ralph’s doing what any good owner should do at the end of a season and that’s evaluate things in the organization. We decided we’d talk further at some point next week."’

‘If the fans voted on whether to retain Phillips he’d probably be a landslide loser — with no recount necessary. Phillips refusing to fire at least two close friends on his coaching staff might be the perfect excuse for Wilson to can the coach — and he might anyway.’