PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Montoya Is Vital to New Formation

The Raiders are counting on the health of guard Max Montoya in their plans to use the new “tilt” formation.

Montoya, who played sparingly in the opener, was forced from Sunday’s game against Indianapolis after aggravating a groin injury suffered Aug. 17 in an exhibition against the Chicago Bears.

“He said it’s not as bad as the first time he got hurt,” Raider Coach Art Shell reported. “He came in this morning and said it felt OK.”

Sunday, the Raiders stacked two extra tackles on one side of the line in the tilt. But Montoya’s injury limits their options. When he left Sunday’s game, it forced the Raiders into more conventional formations.

The NFL is cracking down on spectators roaming the sidelines during games. Laker star Magic Johnson, a frequent visitor to Raider home games, had to watch Sunday’s game from the stands with his bride. . . . For the second week in a row, former Raider Lyle Alzado and his wife attended the game. Alzado, suffering from brain cancer, watched the game while seated in a golf cart near the Raiders’ bench.