NFL | Women's group wants Raiders to suspend Tom Cable

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The National Organization for Women called on the Oakland Raiders to suspend coach Tom Cable while the team investigates allegations he has a history of violent behavior toward women.

NOW president Terry O'Neill praised the Raiders in a statement for undertaking a "serious evaluation" of charges made by Cable's first wife, Sandy Cable, and former girlfriend, Marie Lutz, that the coach physically abused them at various times during their relationships.

But she said Cable should be suspended while that investigation proceeds.

The Raiders had no comment.

"This is the National Football League. Boys and girls around the country, as well as many women, look to the leaders of the NFL as our role models," O'Neill said. "Why would the NFL tolerate having a man who admits to having battered his wife."

Cable has acknowledged striking Sandy Cable with an open hand more than 20 years ago and said it was the only time he's ever touched a woman inappropriately. Marie Lutz accused Cable of assaulting her as recently as last January, but Cable said previously he was cleared by police of any wrongdoing in that case.

"I take the accusations very seriously," O'Neill said. "What you have is a man who seems to be a person who habitually uses violence to get what he wants. That's what batterers do."

O'Neill said she has not contacted the Raiders or the NFL directly. Cable said he did not believe pressure from outside groups would influence what the team decides to do with him.

"I think it will be handled properly," he said. "I'm going to leave it at that right now."

Cowboys WR still frustrated

IRVING, Texas — While his lower-paid teammate breaks records, Cowboys receiver Roy Williams sounds like a broken record.

The player who cost Dallas three draft picks and a $45 million contract extension has offered the same refrain for weeks now. He's frustrated. He can't get on the same page with Tony Romo and doesn't know why.

Williams skipped to a slightly different tune this week by saying he still considers himself the No. 1 receiver despite mounting evidence to the contrary. He said "things are just going No. 2's way," referring to Miles Austin.

The less-celebrated Austin has more yards and touchdowns in the past three games than Williams has in his first 16 with the Cowboys. Austin set an NFL record with 482 yards in his first three starts, while Williams has 447 yards for the equivalent of a full season in Dallas.

Williams found himself backpedaling Thursday, a day after suggesting Romo's throws are accurate to Austin and all over the place to him.

"I didn't complain that I didn't get the ball," Williams said. "All I said was that, when it comes to me, it's not there. I'm not saying it can't be fixed, because that's what we do every day.

"I'm not a T.O. [Terrell Owens], or I'm not trying to be a T.O."

Notes

• Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith returned to practice after sitting out the previous day with a shoulder injury. Smith injured the shoulder during last Sunday's 17-10 loss to St. Louis. He worked with the first-team offense, but coach Jim Schwartz didn't indicate whether Smith would be available for Sunday's game at Seattle. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who has missed Detroit's past two games with a right-knee injury, also took snaps with the first-team offense.

• Indianapolis Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee during practice, The Associated Press reported.

• Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark is usually one of the team's most talkative players. But he is talking little as it becomes increasingly likely he won't play Monday in Denver due to a rare blood condition that nearly caused him to die after playing at altitude two years ago.

• The Washington Redskins will use their fourth punter this season when they play Atlanta on Sunday. Hunter Smith's right-groin injury is acting up again, so the team plans to sign former Dallas punter Sam Paulescu.

• Former Vikings first-round pick Erasmus James was arrested after punching a friend in the face at a bar in Madison, Wis. Authorities said James, 27, began fighting with a friend after James tried to order a drink after closing time.

• A jury in Jacksonville, Fla., convicted a man of attempted murder in the shooting of former Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier in 2008. The six-person jury deliberated 2 hours and 45 minutes before returning its verdict against Tyrone Hartsfield, 33, at the end of a nine-day trial. Hartsfield faces up to life in prison.