PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Shell Concedes Start Psyched Williams

When he was asked for the umpteenth time a week ago if tailback Harvey Williams would finally start in place of Ty Montgomery, Coach Art Shell said to a reporter, “Starting is really important to you.”

Apparently it is to Williams as well.

Given his first Raider start in the team’s seventh game last Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, the former Kansas City Chief who signed in the off-season, responded with the first 100-yard effort by a Raider running back in two years, gaining 107. Williams also caught eight passes for 43 yards.

Shell conceded that starting Williams probably provided a psychological lift.

“I’m sure it did,” Shell said. “It puts in his mind that, ‘Hey, I’m going to have a chance to get 100 yards now that I’m starting the game.’ ”

It was only the second time in his career that Williams, now in his fourth season, has rushed for more than 100 yards.

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Offensive guard Steve Wisniewski reports no serious lingering effects from the injury he suffered in the fourth quarter Sunday, which forced him out of the game. Wisniewski had back spasms after getting hit with a knee.