LYNDHURST, N.J. (AP) -NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is watching as authorities investigate allegations that Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable assaulted one of his assistants.

``We're closely monitoring the case and will continue to monitor the case. We like to make sure we understand what all the facts are before we comment on it,'' Goodell said Tuesday during an NFL Play 60 event in New Jersey.

``When the appropriate time comes, we will speak to the coach,'' the commissioner said. ``The personal conduct rule applies to everyone in the NFL, from the commissioner to the players and including coaches. This is something we take very seriously.''

The district attorney's office in Napa County, Calif., said this week that it is reviewing the police report from the investigation.

Raiders defensive assistant Randy Hanson was hospitalized with a broken bone in his face following an Aug. 5 attack that he told police was initiated by a member of the Raiders coaching staff at the team's training camp hotel in Napa.

Hanson initially did not tell police who his assailant was. His attorney, John McGuinn, told NFL.com last week that Hanson told police that Cable was the coach who attacked him.

Cable denied the allegations in August. On Monday, Cable said he would not comment on the most recent reports, saying he'll let the legal process play out.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.