PROFOOTBALL / WEEK 6 : Chiefs-Raiders: a Game to Build On

The crisis atmosphere has passed among the Raiders, with everyone so happy in the second week of the Art Shell era that Bo Jackson said it was like day, compared to last season’s night.

All that’s left to learn is how far along this rebuilding project is-- and, of course, where the team will be playing when it’s finished.

For the latter scoop, nobody is saying, so stay tuned.

For the former, we get weekly updates, the next coming today at 1 p.m., when the Raiders (2-3) play host to the Kansas City Chiefs (2-3), another bunch of rebuilders who have been at work throughout most of their history.

A month ago, the Chiefs flattened the Raiders for 152 rushing yards and beat them, 24-19, so here’s the first test: Can the Raiders stop a good running team?

Before they played the New York Jets last Monday night, the Raiders were allowing an average of 163 rushing yards a game, No. 28 in the league--and 18.75 yards worse than No. 27 Kansas City.

The Raiders then held the Jets to 80 yards on the ground, which was commendable but still shouldn’t be confused with shutting down a credible opponent.

Make no mistake, the Chiefs suddenly have credibility coming out of their ears.

Christian Okoye, the 260-pound Azusa Pacific graduate who once ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, hit the Raiders for 95 yards, and has since gone over 100 in three games, capped by last week’s 156 in a 20-16 upset at Seattle. He leads the AFC in rushing and has an average of 4.7 yards a carry, which is phenomenal for someone who runs off tackle on most of his carries.

“Christian?” Chief quarterback Ron Jaworski said last week. “He’s kinda unique. He’s a guy who really hasn’t learned to run yet. He runs kinda straight up. Because he missed all of training camp, he’s not totally sure of our blocking combinations, although he’s getting better every week.

“He’s just such an awesome talent, I would be afraid to be a secondary guy when this guy starts to get his pad level down and starts delivering a blow, rather than running straight up.

“He’s just a fun guy to be around. He’s got that Nigerian accent. Whenever he talks in the huddle, he kinda brings a smile to everyone’s face.

“I remember the last game, he says, ‘Uh, linemen, linemen, I’m going to look for a cutback here.’ Half the guys almost fell out.”

The Raiders figure to have Howie Long, Scott Davis and Jerry Robinson available full time, and if they are, they will start their No. 1 defensive front for the first time this season. They will need it.

Test No. 2: Raider offense vs. Chief defense.

The Raiders have a big absentee in Marcus Allen, a big unknown in Vance Mueller and a big question mark in Bo Jackson .

Allen is out for six weeks with a knee injury. As valuable for his leadership qualities as his running ability, the Raiders can’t afford a rerun of the exhibition season, when Allen held out and their running game got 2.9 yards a crack. Mueller, who struggled in the starter’s role then, gets the nod.

Jackson is expected to see some action, although Art Shell promised last week that he wouldn’t over-extend Bo just to make up for the missing Marcus.

The Chiefs were having their own problems stopping the run until last week when they held the Seahawks, a fine running team and especially in the Kingdome, to 53 yards, of which Dave Krieg scrambled for 29. Curt Warner gained one yard.

In their last meeting, the Raiders saw the first flashes from Chief rookie linebacker Derrick Thomas, the No. 1 pick from Alabama. Thomas sacked Jay Schroeder twice in a row late in the game and has gone on to record 2 1/2 more sacks. Bill Maas led the Chiefs with four sacks all last season.

“He’s such an impact player, it’s scary,” Shell said. “You watch him on film, and every week he’s doing something to somebody. Even (Anthony) Munoz (of the Cincinnati Bengals) caught hell from him.”

Shell complimented the Chiefs up one side and down the other but added: “This is our backyard, and we’ve got to understand that.”

It’s showtime again. The Raiders better be able to cash in their new ebullience for some results, because after this game, the schedule turns vicious--at Philadelphia, Washington, Cincinnati, at San Diego, at Houston. If they don’t hit that lineup with a 3-3 mark and a full head of steam, there will be fewer smiles on the landscape.

Raider Notes

The Raiders are three-point favorites. . . . The Raiders are inviting fans coming to this game to contribute three cans of food to the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank . . . The Raiders’ interest in suspended San Francisco 49er cornerback Don McKyer continues. 49er General Manager John McVay, said last week that the Raiders are the most interested bidder. The 49ers are asking a No. 2 pick. . . Ron Jaworski replaces Steve DeBerg, who opened the season as the No. 1 quarterback but was demoted after throwing eight interceptions in four games. Jaworski tried out with the Raiders before the 1987 season, but he was coming off a tendon injury in his throwing hand and had a terrible workout. The Raiders waived defensive lineman Pete Koch to make room for Bo Jackson.