‘After four Super Bowls, 15 seasons and 941 catches in Buffalo, this is what the once-magical hands of Andre Reed have been reduced to. And each time a picture of Reed in a Bills uniform slides into his hand, it seems to make him a little sad.’
BillsBeat - December 21, 2000
WILSON UPS THE ANTE ON PERFORMANCE
‘Wilson also might have taken his recent vote of confidence for coach Wade Phillips off the table. When Wilson was asked during his Tuesday news conference about the future of the coaching staff, he declined to reiterate his pro-Phillips stance. “As far as Wade and the coaching staff is concerned,” Wilson said, “I’m here today to talk about John Butler, not about the coaching staff. So I’d rather not comment.”‘
WILSON'S AX JUST MIGHT SWING AGAIN
‘Flying five uncomfortable hours to watch his quarterback get mugged, his blockers wave at blitzers and his ball carriers seldom make it more than a couple of yards past the line of scrimmage is not likely to make the boss’ back feel very good.’
BillsBeat - December 20, 2000
Is Butler on call for Chargers' GM job?
‘Chargers president Dean Spanos has said he would consider hiring a new general manager if the right man became available. That might have happened yesterday.’
Bills' ex-boss has large appetite for winning
‘"He had heard the Chargers were holding a job open for Butler," said the source, "and when Ralph gets ticked off, he lashes out."’
Butler won't be easily replaced
‘The owner, two more losses removed from those comments, conceded, "As far as Wade and the coaching staff is concerned, I’m here to talk about John Butler … so I’d rather not comment." That’s hardly a vote of confidence.’
Butler Has An Extra Week To Explore His Options
‘Put it this way: The 82-year-old Wilson isn’t planning to take a cross-country flight on Christmas weekend to do sightseeing in the Pacific Northwest. The one thing he is going to take careful notice of, though, is the effort of the players.’
Butler's Firing All About Timing
‘With the San Diego Chargers poised to make Butler an offer he couldn’t refuse, and Wilson wouldn’t match … something had to be done as soon as
possible.’
Bills GM gets a present
‘By contrast, Butler used to start his day by chipping ice off the windshield and maybe listening to Ann Burke on the way to One Bills Drive.’
Impatient Bills fire GM Butler
‘"The reason for the dismissal is because John has refused to give me an answer as to his future intentions," Wilson said. "The time has come to move forward, and therefore I can wait no longer to see who will be the Bills’ general manager after this season."’
Bills owner decides Butler not interested
‘With a new season to plan for and no time to waste, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson said he couldn’t wait for an answer from John Butler any longer.’
Bills lose friend, not just GM
‘Agents reacted with shock. Butler was synonymous with the Bills and they said he bled for the team.’
Smith, Adams have an inside shot
‘Long-time personnel men A.J. Smith and Dwight Adams are among the leading candidates to replace the fired John Butler as general manager of the Buffalo Bills.’
Butler deserved better than this
‘With apologies to angry women everywhere, hell hath no fury as an NFL owner scorned.’
Temporary insanity Bills' only explanation
‘Yesterday at the Bills practice facility named after himself, Wilson stood at the podium looking for all the world like he had swallowed a lemon.’