71.   The players expected to contribute the most this year are tailback DeShaun Foster, inside linebacker Robert Thomas, cornerback Lovell Houston and nose guard Ken Kocher.

72.   The return of nose guard Jeff Ruckman from a knee injury improves the run defense, while Weldon Forde continues to rush the passer effectively.

73.   The plan is for Payne to play nose guard and Walker to line up on the right side.

74.   The same goes for reserve nose guard Ken Kocher, whose size and strength are desperately needed on the young defensive line.

75.   Three players, Smith, Simon and Jerry Johnson, rotate at nose guard and tackle, keeping fresh and talented bodies coming at the opposition.

76.   Tumey, desperate to generate a pass rush from his sackless line, moved Jeff Ruckman from defensive end to nose guard to fortify the middle.

77.   Up front, Ty Warren was shifted from end to nose guard.

78.   Weldon Forde will play nose guard in passing situations.

79.   When nose guard Jerry Ball went out with a pulled hamstring early in the fourth quarter, the Raiders were forced to do even more juggling there.

80.   With nose guard Jeff Ruckman injured, Holland moves up in the line rotation.