The National Organization for Women has 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 that 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 in a phone interview. "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 has touched a woman inappropriately. Marie Lutz accused Cable of assaulting her as recently as 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 yesterday he did not believe pressure from outside groups would influence what the team decides to do with him.

Marc Bulger, the former Central Catholic and West Virginia quarterback, has thrown just three touchdown passes and has a passer rating of 68.2 for the scuffling St. Louis Rams.

But coach Steve Spagnuolo has shown no desire to change quarterbacks. He generally has been pleased with the 32-year-old quarterback.

Bulger has not had much help from his inexperienced crew of receivers. Laurent Robinson began the season as a favorite target, but he's out for the rest of 2009 with an injury. Donnie Avery is now the go-to guy, but he has been hurt, too.

Washington will use its fourth punter this season Sunday when it plays Atlanta. Hunter Smith's right groin injury is acting up again, so the Redskins plan to sign former Dallas punter Sam Paulescu today. Smith pulled the groin in his kicking leg in the Oct. 4 game vs. Tampa Bay. Kicker Shaun Suisham punted for the rest of that game, then Glenn Pakulak was signed to handle the next two games.

• Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache broke his media silence to launch a vigorous defense of the team owner, saying "Enough's enough." Blache said he was moved to speak after reading comments made by Hall of Fame running back John Riggins. In an interview on Showtime's "Inside the NFL," Riggins said Snyder is a "bad guy" and that the owner's "heart is dark." Blache described Snyder as "one of the most generous, kind individuals you could ever meet" and that people outside of the organization don't get a chance to know the owner.

A jury has convicted Tyrone Hartsfield, 33, of attempted murder in the shooting of former Jacksonville offensive lineman Richard Collier, ending a nine-day trial.

Ed Bouchette's blog on the Steelers and Gerry Dulac's Steelers chats are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.