Levy, 72, Might be Out as Bills’ Coach

An expected shake-up among Buffalo Bill offensive assistants intensified Tuesday, and now could include the retirement of Coach Marv Levy.

Bill owner Ralph Wilson was expected to meet with Levy today for the second time in less than a week.

The Bills would not confirm speculation that Levy, 72, would step down as coach after taking the team to four Super Bowls to start the 1990s. No news conference is scheduled.

Team sources said Levy mentioned nothing about retirement when he met with the coaching staff Monday. Levy and Wilson have not returned telephone calls seeking comment.

A day after Buffalo finished 6-10 this season, Levy refused to say whether he would return for another season and become the oldest coach in NFL history. He met with Wilson last weekend.

Sources told The Associated Press that Wilson wanted changes made in Levy’s offensive staff after Buffalo struggled to move the ball nearly all season. Among those Wilson reportedly wanted dismissed were line coach Tom Bresnahan and tight ends coach Don Lawrence. Levy was hoping to keep his staff intact.

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Former Pittsburgh Steeler offensive lineman Steve Courson is suing to increase his NFL pension, arguing the league’s laissez-faire enforcement of its anti-drug policy led him to take steroids and develop a heart condition.

In a lawsuit received in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh, Courson claims his pension should be increased from $1,750 a month to one of its highest levels because the NFL refused to stop him from abusing drugs and alcohol.

The NFL’s largest disability benefit is $200,000 a year, for players permanently disabled.

Attorney James Zeszutek says Courson’s argument is similar to that of former San Diego Charger guard Walt Sweeney, who claimed the NFL pushed painkilling drugs on him and helped him become an addict. The league was ordered in January to pay him $1.8 million.

Courson played for the Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1977-85.

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Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis insists he’ll be ready, but New England Coach Pete Carroll said running back Curtis Martin is likely to miss his fifth consecutive game when the teams meet Saturday.

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The Minnesota Vikings put middle linebacker Jeff Brady on injured reserve, possibly ending his three-year career with the team because of salary-cap considerations.

Brady, who lost his starting job three weeks ago because of a neck injury, suffered a thigh injury on the opening kickoff of Saturday’s victory over the New York Giants and did not return.

Brady has two years left on a $5.4-million contract extension signed last winter.

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A Maryland assault charge will bring Baltimore Raven running back Bam Morris back to Rockwall, Texas, on Jan. 12 for a probation revocation hearing.

Morris has pleaded innocent to Rockwall County prosecutors’ allegations that he broke the terms of his 1996 probation on a marijuana conviction.

State District Judge Sue Pirtle could sentence Morris to up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine if his probation is revoked. The judge also could put Morris back on probation.

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Three Miami Dolphins, including running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar, underwent knee surgery.

Abdul-Jabbar had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and wide receiver Brett Perriman and offensive tackle Richmond Webb both had arthroscopic surgery on their left knees.

All are expected back in time for spring minicamps.

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Cincinnati owner Mike Brown says an agreement to keep the Bengals in the city is in danger of falling apart and that the team will be forced to walk away from the deal if the city and Hamilton County can’t resolve disputes over land acquisition by the end of January.

The Bengals said their agreement with Hamilton County allows them to terminate the lease, signed in May, if the city refuses to transfer ownership of a 10-acre tract vital to the stadium project.

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Marv Levy by the Numbers

* Years as coach: 17

* Teams: Kansas City, Buffalo

* NFL record: 143-112, .561

* NFL postseason record: 11-8, .579

* Years with Bills: 12

* Record with Bills: 112-70, .615

* Postseason with Bills: 11-8, .579

* Division titles: 6

* Conference championships: 4

* Super Bowl Record: 0-4