NFL

Steelers defensive genius dies

By wire services
Published December 8, 2005

SARASOTA - Bud Carson, the innovative architect of Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" defense who later coached the Cleveland Browns, died at his home Wednesday after a battle with emphysema. He was 75.

Mr. Carson was the Steelers' defensive coordinator from 1972-77 and shaped a defense led by Joe Greene, Jack Ham and Jack Lambert into one of the best in history. During that time, the Steelers won two Super Bowl titles under coach Chuck Noll, and they won another two after Mr. Carson left.

He then became defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, who lost to the Steelers in the Super Bowl after the 1979 season. He coached the Browns in 1989-90, posting an 11-13-1 record in 11/2 seasons.

"He was a great, great coach here," Steelers chairman Dan Rooney said Wednesday. "In fact, I might say he coached the best defense that ever played in the National Football League, and I told him that one time after he left. They were a phenomenal team."

The Steelers didn't win the Super Bowl in 1976, but Mr. Carson's defense had a sustained run that may never be equaled. After quarterback Terry Bradshaw was injured during a 1-4 start, the Steelers had five shutouts, three in a row, and allowed 28 points while winning their final nine.

"That was quite a feat," Rooney said.

RAVENS STAR OPTS FOR SURGERY: Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis had season-ending surgery on his torn right hamstring, ending a frustrating season in which he played in only six games.

Lewis has been sidelined since Oct. 23, when he left in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Bears. The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year worked hard to return from the injury but finally decided surgery was the best route.

EAGLES PICK QB: Mike McMahon will start at quarterback for Philadelphia against the Giants on Sunday despite being benched after throwing two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns against Seattle. "It's important everybody does their job," coach Andy Reid said. "The quarterback gets the brunt of it. I'm not going to point fingers. Everybody had a piece in it."

BEARS: Rex Grossman, the former Gator, was moved up the depth chart to No. 2 quarterback behind rookie Kyle Orton.

BILLS: Receiver Eric Moulds was excused from practice through today amid reports he would be suspended, and his status is uncertain for Sunday's game against New England. Coach Mike Mularkey declined to say why he excused the team's leading receiver but denied reports he intended to suspended him.

BROWNS: Rookie quarterback Charlie Frye will replace Trent Dilfer for the second straight week and make his first road start Sunday at Cincinnati.

GIANTS: Cornerback Terrell Buckley signed, replacing cornerback William Peterson, who went on injured reserve with a back injury. Buckley, 34, has 50 career interceptions in 13 seasons.

JAGUARS: Center Brad Meester, who has started every game in his six-year career, could miss the rest of the season with a torn left biceps. Meester was hurt during the first half of Sunday's victory at Cleveland but played the rest of the game. Tests revealed the tear, leaving Meester to decide whether to have season-ending surgery or play with the injury.

SEAHAWKS: Andre Dyson will likely miss the final four games of the regular season with a high ankle sprain, leaving the team almost desperately thin at cornerback. ... Leading receiver Darrell Jackson may play his first game since Oct. 2 on Sunday. Jackson had surgery Oct. 12 to repair torn cartilage in his right knee.

STEELERS: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger plans to play the rest of the season despite a thumb injury so severe it may need surgery, partly because "it's not over for us yet" despite three consecutive losses.

TITANS: Rookie cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones settled a lawsuit in which he charged Nashville nightclub manager Robert Gaddy with conspiracy, slander and defamation. ... Tight end Erron Kinney will miss Sunday's game with the Texans after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

[Last modified December 8, 2005, 00:50:19]