Add this to the growing list of Plaxico Burress' problems: getting in a car crash and not having insurance on his nearly $140,000 Mercedes-Benz.

The suspended New York Giants wide receiver was sued last week in Florida's Broward County Circuit Court for rear-ending a car driven by a woman in May.

Compounding the Super Bowl star's defense, according to a document provided by the woman's attorney, is the fact his car insurance lapsed three days before the crash. A letter from Allstate says Burress neglected to pay his premiums.

Burress' attorney, Adam Swickle, declined comment.

Burress is still serving a team suspension for shooting himself Nov. 29 in a nightclub with an illegally carried handgun. Burress shot himself in the leg at the Latin Quarter when he accidentally pulled the trigger on the .40-caliber Glock that was in his pants after fumbling a drink.

Burress pleaded not guilty and was released on $100,000 bail. He is due back in court March 31.

DISCIPLINE

NFL ASKS COURT TO RECONSIDER SUSPENSIONS

The NFL is asking an appeals court to reconsider a federal judge's order that blocked the suspensions of five players for violating the league's anti-doping policy.

Attorneys for the NFL yesterday filed notice they were asking the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to take up the issue.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson in St. Paul, Minn., said earlier this month he needed more time to consider the case. Magnuson cleared the way for Kevin Williams and Pat Williams of the Minnesota Vikings, and Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints to continue playing at least until an order was issued.

The players were suspended for four games each after testing positive for a banned diuretic in the dietary supplement StarCaps.

RAIDERS

CABLE LOBBIES FOR OAKLAND COACHING JOB

Oakland Raiders interim coach Tom Cable lobbied for the full-time job yesterday, saying that stability at the head coaching position would help the team make it back to the postseason.

"I don't think there's any question. In order for it to move forward and be a playoff team next year, which I believe it will be, hopefully things will go in the right direction that way," Cable said. "I think it's very important at this point."

Cable is 3-8 since taking over for the fired Lane Kiffin at the end of September, beating Houston 27-16 on Sunday in the home finale.

If the Raiders (4-11) finish the season with a win Sunday at Tampa Bay, they would end up with their most wins since going 5-11 under Norv Turner in 2004.

BRONCOS

RBS POPE, YOUNG PLACED ON INJURY LIST

Denver's already dinged-up backfield took two more hits as P.J. Pope (hamstring) and Selvin Young (neck) were added to the long list of injured tailbacks.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said both are expected to be placed on injured reserve. The team has lost seven tailbacks this season.

Denver is expected to bolster its depth at tailback by activating Cory Boyd off the practice squad and signing Alex Haynes, who was waived by the Broncos on Nov. 22.

ELSEWHERE

Rams: St. Louis coach Jim Haslett said yesterday that running back Antonio Pittman was fined $25,000 after skipping practice Saturday.

Bengals: Right tackle Stacy Andrews has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, leaving the Bengals' franchise player with an uncertain future heading into the offseason. Andrews hurt his knee in the fourth quarter of a 14-0 victory over Cleveland on Sunday.