Raiders coach accused of violent actions by 2 women

SAN DIEGO — The former wife of Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable and a recent girlfriend claim Cable has a history of violent behavior toward women, and asked that he seek help for his anger.

Sandy Cable and Marie Lutz said in seperate interviews on ESPN's "Outside the Lines" that the first-year head coach physically abused them at various times during their relationships.

Cable's attorney, Donald Yee, said in a statement Sunday that ESPN refused to provide details about the story when the network asked for comment. Yee also questioned the network's motives after waiting until Friday to contact the coach.

"In our view, ESPN has quite purposefully chosen not to provide a fair and balanced story," Yee said. "To us, this represents ambush journalism and utterly fails to meet the standards and practices of responsible journalists."

ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said the network stands by its story.

"We've got nothing to say right now," Raiders senior executive John Hererra said before the Raiders lost 24-16 at San Diego.

Cable acknowledged striking Sandy Cable with an open hand in a statement released to The Associated Press. Cable said the altercation happened more than 20 years ago and was the only time he's ever touched a woman inappropriately.

"During my first marriage, I became aware that my wife Sandy had committed adultery," Cable said in the statement. "I became very angry and slapped her with an open hand. What I did was wrong and I have regretted and felt sorrow about that moment ever since."

CAROLINA QB DELHOMME INJURED AGAINST CARDINALS: Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme was checked out at a local hospital after injuring his chest against the Arizona Cardinals.

Delhomme went down on a big hit from the Cardinals' Chike Okeafor and Darnell Dockett with 5:59 left in the third quarter.

He came back to play the next series but was replaced by Matt Moore in the fourth quarter.

JAMAL LEWIS PLANS TO RETIRE AFTER SEASON: Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis says he plans to retire at the end of the season.

Lewis told reporters after the Browns' 30-6 loss Sunday at Chicago that his 10th season will be his final one, adding, "I mean what I say."

Lewis, who missed two games in late September and early October with a hamstring injury, ran for 69 yards on 16 carries against the Bears. That gave him 349 this year and 10,736 in his career.

BEARS HONOR PAYTON AT HALFTIME: Ten years to the day he died, Walter Payton was honored by the Chicago Bears with a ceremony at halftime of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

The crowd roared during a video tribute that showed highlights of his career and included praise from Mike Ditka and owner Virginia McCaskey, along with former teammates such as Otis Wilson and Richard Dent. Besides dodging and leaping over defenders, Payton was also known for his work ethic and his tendency to pull pranks.

BILLS ROOKIE S BYRD HAS 2 MORE INTERCEPTIONS: Bills rookie safety Jairus Byrd joined San Francisco's Dave Baker as only the second NFL player to have two or more interceptions in three straight games.