‘But it appears undisclosed NFL officials, interpreting language in the league’s anti-tampering policy, have determined that’s it’s unreasonable for the Bills to hold Smith to the final six weeks of his deal.’
BillsBeat - January 6, 2001
Chargers pin their future on Butler
‘Of immediate concern is whether Butler will be able to bring along A.J. Smith, the Bills’ pro personnel director. Butler and Smith have worked together since the early 1980s. Smith is under contract to Buffalo through mid-February, and reportedly will be forced to serve out the time, unless the Chargers can get the NFL to intervene.’
Chargers name Butler vice president, GM
‘"It’s a big challenge," said Butler, who was fired by Buffalo on December 19 after 14 years with the team. "I’m going to tell you this, nobody is going to outwork us. I don’t like the word ‘lose.’ It’s not part of my vocabulary."’
Butler named Executive Vice President/General Manager
‘"John Butler knows what it takes to win in this league," said Spanos. "He’s had amazing success in the draft and has been responsible for building championship teams. His record in Buffalo speaks for itself.’
DONAHOE TALKS SLOW DOWN
‘However, it now has been 10 days since the first meeting between Wilson and Donahoe. If the Bills are anxious about striking a deal with the former personnel chief of the Pittsburgh Steelers, they don’t appear to be showing it.’
BillsBeat - January 5, 2001
The Chargers did it: Butler takes GM job
‘Once Butler became available —- after contract talks with Bills owner Ralph Wilson collapsed —- Spanos spurned other candidates and put Butler No. 1 on his list.’
John Butler comes on board as GM
‘Buffalo owner Ralph Wilson denied the Chargers permission to talk to Smith yesterday, but a source said San Diego will seek to overturn Wilson’s decision today by asking the commissioner’s office to review Smith’s contract.’
Bills' owner blocks executive from exit
‘Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson has decided to be petty, as well as penurious.’
Ralph Wilson is firing back
‘…the 82-year-old owner of the Buffalo Bills yesterday denied the Chargers permission to interview his pro personnel director, A.J. Smith, for an undisclosed front office position.’
Wilson Passes The Ax
‘It’s even harder to imagine Donahoe, who lost his job in Pittsburgh after a power struggle with Steelers coach Bill Cowher, being force-fed an incumbent coach.’
Bills coaches' futures to be decided by new GM
‘Phillips, who is well-liked by the players, was criticized for his handling of quarterbacks Rob Johnson and Doug Flutie. Blame also fell on the Bills offensive coaching staff, headed by coordinator Joe Pendry, and first-year special teams coach Ronnie Jones.’
Chargers hire Butler as GM
‘Butler will be introduced at a news conference Friday morning, spokesman Bill Johnston said.’
CHARGERS TAP BUTLER AS GM
‘Butler will triple his salary, according to NFL and San Diego sources. His deal is worth $7.5 million over five years, the sources said, which is believed to put him among the top five paid GMs in the league.’
BILLS' LOSS OF BUTLER HURTS IN MANY WAYS
‘Butler was always supportive of the Bills’ players, sometimes to a fault. No matter how serious a player’s transgressions off the field, he wouldn’t publicly condemn his actions. He sometimes would protect players by limiting our access to them. That circle-the-wagons mentality didn’t go over well with the media or the public, but it made him a hero in the Bills’ locker room.’
BillsBeat - January 4, 2001
Here's a Vote for Sports Talk Radio to Get Real
‘But let’s face reality; a lot of times, our "experts" are long on opinion and short on everything else, including the facts. Once again, the hope must be that if you hear it said often enough, you’ll believe that Johnson is better than Flutie, even if Flutie plays better, wins more games, and entertains the fans.’