Posted on Tue, Nov. 03, 2009

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Raiders will look closer at Cable allegations

By Associated Press

The Oakland Raiders will undertake a "serious evaluation" of allegations that coach Tom Cable has a history of violent behavior toward women.

The team released a statement in response to allegations made to ESPN by Cable's first wife, Sandy Cable, and former girlfriend, Marie Lutz, that the coach physically abused them at various times during their relationships.

Cable acknowledged striking Sandy Cable with an open hand in a statement Sunday. Cable said the altercation happened more than 20 years ago and was the only time he's ever touched a woman inappropriately. He stood by that statement Monday, declining to answer any questions on the topic.

The Raiders said they first learned of these allegations from ESPN in the past week.

"In conjunction with the league office, we will undertake a serious evaluation of this matter," the team said in a statement Monday. "We wish to be clear that we do not in any way condone or accept actions such as those alleged. There have been occasions on which we have dismissed Raider employees for having engaged in inappropriate conduct."

This is the second allegation against Cable accusing him of violence. Former defensive assistant Randy Hanson accused Cable of assaulting him and breaking his jaw during training camp. The Napa County district attorney declined to file charges in that matter late last month.

When asked about his future Monday, Cable responded: "I'm coaching the Raiders and I think my future is to be the coach of the Raiders."

The players are mostly tuning out the off-field issues, focusing on improving a football team that is 26-76 since the start of the 2003 season.

"We're not thinking about it and we're not worried about the outside distractions," tight end Zach Miller said. "We're just focused on being a better football team."

Reports: Browns fire GM — Several reports say Cleveland Browns general manager George Kokinis has been fired by the 1-7 team.

Citing unnamed league sources, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and WKYC-TV in Cleveland say Kokinis was escorted out of the Browns' headquarters by security on Monday.

Team spokesman Neal Gulkis says the team could not confirm the reports.

Kokinis was hired in January, just two weeks after the team named Eric Mangini as its fourth coach since 1999. Following the Browns' 30-6 loss in Chicago on Sunday, Browns owner Randy Lerner said he would not fire Mangini during the team's bye week.

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