Raiders’ Tom Cable won’t face NFL punishment over allegations of violence

Oakland Raiders Coach Tom Cable will not be punished by the NFL after an investigation into allegations of domestic violence against women and a fight with an assistant coach.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Wednesday that Cable’s role in the training camp altercation with assistant Randy Hanson warranted an evaluation under the league’s personal conduct policy.

Cable was accused of breaking Hanson’s jaw and teeth during a fight at the team’s training camp hotel in August. The Napa County district attorney declined to file criminal charges in the case because of inconsistencies in Hanson’s story. Because there were no criminal charges, the league did not punish Cable.

Hanson did file a civil lawsuit Tuesday against Cable and the Raiders seeking unspecified damages for assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Shortly after Cable was cleared in the training camp case, he faced allegations of a history of domestic violence against women. Cable’s first wife, Sandy Cable, and former girlfriend, Marie Lutz, told ESPN that the coach physically abused them at various times during their relationships.

The New England Patriots signed veteran wide receiver David Patten, who played for their three Super Bowl championship teams. Patten, 35, did not play last season after being released by the Cleveland Browns in training camp.

Fired Cleveland Browns general manager George Kokinis resolved his grievance with the team. The NFL issued a two-sentence statement through the Browns saying the grievance had been amicably resolved. The terms were confidential.

Kokinis was dismissed by the Browns on Nov. 2. He was seeking more than $4 million in compensation and damages.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

UCLA hires Lea as assistant

Clark Lea has been hired as an assistant coach at UCLA. Lea spent the last three seasons as a graduate assistant, working mainly with the linebackers. He replaces Carnell Lake, who stepped down for family reasons this past week.

UCLA did not hire a linebackers coach last season after Chuck Bullough was promoted to defensive coordinator. Lea is expected to continue working with the linebackers, while Tim Hundley, who coached safeties last season, will handle the entire secondary.

-- Chris Foster ETC.

Blake finishes off Dent

Seventh-seeded James Blake won two points to close out a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 first-round victory over fellow American Taylor Dent at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships in Delray Beach, Fla.

The match completed Wednesday had been suspended by rain the previous night with Blake leading, 6-1, 3-6, 5-3, 40-40.

Andy Murray’s first tournament since reaching the Australian Open final ended in the second round of the Dubai Championships when he was beaten by Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia, 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4.

Lauren Cheney scored in the 61st minute and Hope Solo saved two penalties and the U.S. women’s soccer team beat Iceland, 2-0, in the opening round of the Algarve Cup in Vila Real Santo Antonio, Portugal.

The Kings returned to practice after a 10-day break and recalled forwards Richard Clune and Marc-Andre Cliche from the Manchester (N.H.) Monarchs of the American Hockey League. Clune has two points in two games for the Kings this season. Cliche has not yet played in an NHL game.