Charger Notebook : Coryell Predicts a Battle From Winless Raiders

Charger Coach Don Coryell offered a prediction on Sunday’s game with the Raiders at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

“It will be a battle. I will be surprised if it isn’t the most physical game of the year,” Coryell said Thursday.

The Chargers are 1-2 while the Raiders are winless in three games. This is the first game against an AFC West opponent for both teams.

“The Raiders will be trying to redeem themselves in front of a home crowd,” Coryell said. “We had better be high for this game, because we know damn well the Raiders will be.”

Coryell was asked if perhaps his players place too much emphasis on their meetings with the Raiders--if they get so pumped up that they can’t perform with maximum efficiency.

After a pause, Coryell said he didn’t believe his players would be too psyched.

“I remember in our game at the Coliseum last year how excited I was,” Coryell said. “Our players were very fired up too. We started out poorly, but we played better the second half.”

The Chargers lost to the Raiders on the road, 34-21, but later won, 40-34, at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

Coryell also said he expects Raider running back Marcus Allen, who has an injured ankle, to play Sunday.

“He’s a very tough guy,” Coryell said. “He has a history of playing when he’s hurt. I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t play.”

The game will be telecast live in San Diego on KCST, Channel 39, beginning at 1 p.m.

Charger running back Tim Spencer, who has a sprained ankle, may not play against the Raiders. He has been running tentatively this week, and the Chargers don’t want to risk a more serious injury. If he is unable to play, Spencer will be replaced by Buford McGee.

Linebacker Billy Ray Smith, who also has an ankle injury, will be in the starting lineup but may not play extensively, Coryell said.

Safety Jeff Dale has been weakened by the flu this week but is expected to play.

Meanwhile, No. 2 quarterback Mark Herrmann, who has not received much practice time while recuperating from a knee injury, would be available in the event of an injury to starter Dan Fouts.

Cornerback Wayne Davis has Coryell’s permission to wear gloves during games.

The issue was raised when Charger coaches were critical of defensive backs for dropping potential interceptions the past two weeks. Defensive coordinator Ron Lynn said this week he thought Davis was wearing gloves because they looked good.

“As long as they don’t detract from a guy’s performance, I don’t care if they wear gloves,” Coryell said. “Some players are more confident about catching the ball with gloves, and I don’t want to take away any of their confidence.”

Second-year receiver Trumaine Johnson is becoming increasingly prominent in the Charger passing game.

“He’s much improved over last year and he’s in a lot more of our formations,” Coryell said. “We’re not at all afraid to throw to him. Wes (Chandler) and Charlie (Joiner) have more experience and Dan (Fouts) has been throwing to them for years, but Trumaine is very important to us. He would be the starter if either Charlie or Wes went down.”

The Chargers recently had feelers from a couple of teams interested in Johnson. The Chargers decided, however, that he was too valuable to trade unless they could get some quality defensive help.