Two Bills Drive

‘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.’

‘Donahoe’s endorsement of Doug Flutie … promises to make the Bills’ first major offseason decision especially intriguing.’

‘"His experience and success in the past speaks for itself. He’s got a great résumé. The thing that struck me most was his approach to player personnel."’

‘Spanos, in Aspen for a family ski vacation, is expected to meet with Butler again next week.’

‘There have been reports that Wilson is prepared to turn over some of his own duties to his next general manager and perhaps even name him president and general manager.’

‘While Wilson could grant interviews this weekend to other candidates for the GM job made vacant by the firing of John Butler last week, it was learned, Wilson’s meeting with the highly regarded Donahoe in West Palm Beach on Wednesday went well enough to just about convince the 82-year-old owner to look no further.’

…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."’