The Cleveland Browns invisible general manager has disappeared.

George Kokinis, the hand-picked GM of first-year coach Eric Mangini who was rarely seen or heard in Cleveland, left the team yesterday under unexplained circumstances after less than one year on the job.

After reports surfaced that Kokinis was fired, the team issued an awkwardly worded statement saying Kokinis "is no longer actively involved with the organization."

The Browns also denied reports that Kokinis was escorted from team headquarters.

Kokinis' apparent ouster came one day after Browns owner Randy Lerner said he wanted to hire a "strong, credible, serious" football adviser to help run his struggling 1-7 team. Kokinis was hired Jan. 23, two weeks after the Browns named Mangini as their fourth coach since 1999.

Citing unnamed team and league sources, www.ESPN.com reported that Kokinis refused to resign when pressed by Lerner, who then persisted in seeking a dismissal "for cause." The report said the team's security and legal department were reviewing phone records to build its case against Kokinis.

RAIDERS

TEAM INVESTIGATING CABLE

Oakland 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 yesterday, declining to answer any questions on the topic.

"In conjunction with the league office, we will undertake a serious evaluation of this matter," the team said in a statement yesterday. "We wish to be clear that we do not in any way condone or accept actions such as those alleged."

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.

ELSEWHERE

Chiefs: Kansas City, apparently fearful of losing in arbitration, agreed yesterday to cut Larry Johnson's suspension in half for making gay slurs.

The agreement saved the running back about $315,000. The Chiefs issued a terse announcement saying they had made the settlement in conjunction with the NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association. Originally, they suspended the former two-time Pro Bowler two weeks, which would have cost him about $630,000.

49ers: San Francisco cornerback Nate Clements has undergone a CT scan on his broken right shoulder blade and left tackle Joe Staley had an MRI exam on his sprained right knee to further determine the damage.

Both players, injured during San Francisco's 18-14 loss at Indianapolis on Sunday, are expected to miss at least this Sunday's home game with the Tennessee Titans.

Texans: Houston tight end Owen Daniels has a torn knee ligament and will have season-ending surgery to repair the injury.

Daniels, who injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, was hurt on Houston's second possession in Sunday's win at Buffalo when he caught his foot in the turf. Coach Gary Kubiak said he'll have surgery in about two weeks after swelling in the knee has gone down.

Chargers: San Diego has released wide receiver Chris Chambers a day after he had a key catch in a 24-16 win over Oakland.

Coach Norv Turner said the Chargers released Chambers because of the emergence of Malcom Floyd and the need to sign a linebacker because of an injury to Tim Dobbins on Sunday.