PRO FOOTBALL : Cowboys and Redskins Match Strengths and Changes

Three things will be a little different during tonight’s Dallas-Washington game as Monday night football returns to Texas Stadium:

--The Redskins are introducing a new running back, George Rogers, who will appear in John Riggins’ position from time to time in Coach Joe Gibbs’ one-back offense.

--Extending their quarterback controversy, the Cowboys are bringing back Danny White to replace last season’s opening-day starter, Gary Hogeboom, who had replaced White.

--The ABC network is combining a new announcer, Joe Namath, with Frank Gifford and O.J. Simpson.

Rogers, 26, the 1980 Heisman Trophy winner for South Carolina, came from New Orleans in the off-season trade that toughens up the Washington offense at an opportune time.

“The Dallas defense is better than ever,” Washington General Manager Bobby Beathard said Sunday. “And, of course, our strength is offense. The matchup of the game is their strength against ours.”

In the National Football League’s most picturesque rivalry, the Redskins have won the last three from Dallas. Formerly the dominant team in the NFC East, Dallas has trailed Washington in each of the last three seasons.

Declining to give White a vote of confidence or even a pat on the back, Dallas Coach Tom Landry said: “He is our No. 1 quarterback (today) but I’m not close-mouthed at any position. If someone fails to do the job, they have to move over.”