NFL: 'Skins keep Zorn at least for season

The Washington Redskins' front office said yesterday that Jim Zorn will coach the rest of the season.

The Redskins host the Eagles on Monday night.

The unexpectedly strong vote of confidence was delivered in the morning by Vinny Cerrato, the team's executive vice president of football operations.

After letting anxiety build for several days following Sunday's loss to Kansas City, Cerrato opened his ESPN980 radio show by saying, "Jim Zorn is the head coach of the Washington Redskins and will be for the rest of this season, and hopefully into the future."

The news dampens the rampant speculation that began when Zorn was asked to give up his play-calling duties after the 14-6 loss to the previously winless Chiefs. He called the move "uncomfortable," and players expressed general concern over the state of the franchise, yet the powers-that-be remained silent until yesterday.

The Redskins are 2-4 despite playing one of the weakest schedules in the league over the last five weeks.

Meanwhile, Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels said last night he will need a couple of months before deciding whether he can play again.

The six-time Pro Bowl lineman released a statement that essentially rules himself out for the rest of the season, even as he contemplates retirement because of a serious neck injury.

He banged heads with a defensive player while blocking early in the first quarter of Washington's loss to Carolina two weeks ago. The collision caused Samuels to go limp and left a tingling sensation around his neck.

NFL abroad. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in London that he expects the league to start playing multiple regular-season games in Britain in the next few years - an expansion that could lead to putting a franchise in London.

He spoke at a sports conference ahead of tomorrow's game between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium. Manchester, England, and Glasgow, Scotland, are being looked at as potential venues for future games.

Browns. Cleveland cornerback Eric Wright, 24, was back at practice in Berea, Ohio, hours after flipping his car early yesterday on a wet highway entrance ramp near downtown. He may play tomorrow against Green Bay.

Nine of the 10 Browns who missed practice the last two days with the flu are back with the team. Backup defensive end Corey Williams was the only player still at home.

Also, the NFL said the Browns did not violate any league policies when rookie running back James Davis was injured during a recent practice. It was determined that Davis' season-ending shoulder injury took place in a controlled environment.

Raiders. Oakland coach Tom Cable made his first public comments since learning Thursday he would not be charged for an alleged assault against Randy Hanson, a former assistant.

District Attorney Gary Lieberstein of Napa County, Calif., won't pursue charges against Cable for allegedly breaking Hanson's jaw in August, citing inconsistencies in Hanson's story that were not corroborated by the three assistant coaches in the room at the time.

"I'm obviously very thankful that the authorities did the thoroughness that they did in terms of getting the facts and all that," Cable said.

Raiders assistant coaches John Marshall, Lionel Washington and Willie Brown did not back up Hanson's version of events, telling investigators that Cable did not punch Hanson or make any verbal threats.

NFL fines. Cincinnati receiver Chad Ochocinco was fined $10,000 by the NFL for a uniform violation.

The colorful Cincinnati wideout was fined for wearing the wrong color of chin strap (black) during the Bengals' loss to Houston on Sunday.

Also fined $10,000 was Tennessee safety Chris Hope, for roughing the passer against New England in a 59-0 loss during which Tom Brady threw for six touchdowns against the Titans.

San Diego rookie linebacker Larry English was fined $7,500 for a horse-collar tackle in the Chargers' loss to Denver on Monday night.

New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma got a $10,000 fine for his helmet-to-helmet hit on New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.