Raiders Will Try to Stoke Offense Against Cowboys

After two inconsistent games, the Raiders will play the Dallas Cowboys in their third exhibition today at 1 p.m. at the Coliseum.

The Raider offense failed to score a touchdown in a 17-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints in London. Then, after scoring a touchdown on its first drive in last Saturday’s 23-13 victory over the 49ers in San Francisco, the Raider offense failed to capitalize on six turnovers.

“We’ve got to put the ball in the end zone,” Coach Art Shell said, “because if you don’t score touchdowns, those field goals are going to eventually catch up with you.”

After securing his grasp on the starting quarterback job as a result of the holdout of Steve Beuerlein, Jay Schroeder is attempting to fine-tune the Raider offense.

Schroeder will probably play the first half, with Vince Evans and rookie Jeff Francis splitting the second half.

Schroeder has been erratic, completing 41.4% of his passes in the exhibition season. He has completed 12 of 29 passes for 132 yards and one touchdown, with one interception, in four quarters.

Before playing the 49ers last week, Shell said the game against the two-time Super Bowl champions would provide a good test for the Raiders. Asked if the reverse is true this week since the Raiders are playing a team that had the worst record in the NFL the last two seasons, Shell said: “No, no. If you go out not expecting a challenge, then that’s when you get beat. They’ve got an outstanding young quarterback in Troy Aikman. It’s going to be an opportunity for our young players to get a chance to go against some good players.”

Historically, the Raiders have not placed much emphasis on the exhibition season. But after losing 10 of their last 12 exhibitions over the last three years, the philosophy may be changing.

“Winning is important any time you take the field,” Shell said, “but most important is for the team to play well. But if the team plays well and you happen to lose, you’re not satisfied because you want to win.”

After losing 15 of 16 games in 1989, the Cowboys have restructured their team.

The offensive line, which last season failed to protect Aikman, who was sidelined for five weeks because of a broken left index finger, was rebuilt. The Dallas Cowboys acquired Tony Slaton from the Rams as a Plan B free agent to play right guard and moved right guard Crawford Ker to left guard. Nate Newton, who played left guard last season, was moved to right tackle. The only holdovers are center Mark Stepnoski and tackle Mark Tuinei.

Although the unit didn’t give up a sack in last week’s 28-16 exhibition loss at San Diego, it has been hit hard by injuries. Newton has a wrist problem, Ker a knee injury and Tuinei an infected hand.

Aikman completed nine of 14 passes for 141 yards in the first and third quarters. He also gained 48 yards on a bootleg play.

The Cowboys’ defensive secondary has also been rebuilt. Issiac Holt replaced Robert Williams at left cornerback, with Williams moving to right cornerback. Rookie Stan Smagala was moved from reserve cornerback to strong safety.

Raider Notes

Raider defensive tackle Howie Long, who sat out last week’s game because of a strained calf, won’t play today. Also sidelined will be defensive end Scott Davis, who has a sore back, and cornerbacks Terry McDaniel (hamstring) and Dennis Price (shoulder). . . . Running back Greg Bell, hampered by a hamstring pull in practice this week, is expected to play. Rookie defensive end Anthony Smith is questionable because of a sore right knee. . . . Fullback Steve Smith, who signed Tuesday, will probably see action.

Dallas has promoted running back Terrence Flagler to first string ahead of Timmy Smith, a former Charger. . . . Cowboy offensive lineman Louis Cheek was suspended earlier this week for violating the NFL’s steroids policy. . . . Kicker Luis Zendejas is sidelined because of a groin injury.

The Cowboys have seven players from Southland colleges. Quarterback Troy Aikman, linebacker Ken Norton, tackle Mark Walen and free safety James Washington attended UCLA; linebacker Jack Del Rio and guard Tony Slaton attended USC, and linebacker David Howard attended Cal State Long Beach.