PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Moves Made to Shore Up Defense

Having already given up an alarming 124 points in losing three of their first four games, and confronted with the unenviable task of facing two of the league’s hottest quarterbacks over the next two weeks, the Raiders have shaken up their defensive unit by:

--Moving Albert Lewis into the starting right cornerback spot in place of Lionel Washington.

--Moving top draft choice Rob Fredrickson into the starting left linebacker position in place of Aaron Wallace.

--Making Wallace a part-time defensive lineman in addition to his new duty as a reserve linebacker. Wallace will be used in pass-rushing situations.

Lewis, in his 12th season, left the Kansas City Chiefs in the off-season to join the Raiders, agreeing to become a temporary reserve. But, in Lewis’ mind, it was always temporary.

“I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t think that, somewhere down the line, I would be a starter,” he said. “I wasn’t looking for an opportunity just to change logos or to make more money. I was looking for an opportunity where I could excel as a player and, hopefully, have some influence on the team as a whole.”

Washington was stunned to learn he was the odd man out.

“It was shocking,” he said. “But those things happen and I have to deal with it.”

Washington, a Raider starter since 1990, had been slowed by a hamstring injury. Feeling he had played better in the last two games, Washington wasn’t ready for the demotion.

“I didn’t say anything,” Washington recalled. “It’s better not to say anything when you’re angry and disappointed because you might say things you don’t want to say. But each day, it gets harder.”

Washington has one of the four Raider interceptions this season. He returned it 31 yards for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 25.

The Raiders will be on the road the next two weeks, to face the New England Patriots, led by quarterback Drew Bledsoe, and the Miami Dolphins, led by quarterback Dan Marino.

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Defensive end Scott Davis, who took two weeks off because of unexplained personal problems earlier this season, missed Monday’s practice because of an adverse reaction to a flu shot. He is expected back Wednesday. . . . Running back Wes Bender, a member of the practice squad, is out because of chicken pox.