All-Pro Tackle Williams Returns To Cowboys

The Big E’s back. That was the battle cry at Dallas Cowboys training camp in Austin, Texas, Monday as former All-Pro offensive tackle Erik Williams worked out with the team for the first time since an October car accident.

Williams, donning a brace on his right knee, participated in one-on-one passing drills against the defensive line. He sat out of the more intensive seven-on-seven drills and left practice early, refusing to talk with the media.

But he was back, and that’s all that mattered to his coaches and teammates.

“Thank God,” said fellow lineman Nate Newton, who chauffeured Williams onto the field in his golf cart, proclaiming, “The Big E’s back! The Big E’s back!”

Williams had been projected to return in October. Now coach Barry Switzer is aiming for the Sept. 4 season opener against the New York Giants.

Oilers set deadlines for negotiations

Offensive tackle David Williams ended his holdout and practiced with the Houston Oilers as the team tried to concentrate on training camp, not on a possible move to Tennessee.

Owner Bud Adams underscored his threat to leave Houston by agreeing to limit the team’s negotiations with Nashville through Oct. 20. Gov. George W. Bush of Texas said he will give no special concessions to the Oilers despite their threat to leave the state.

“The state of Texas is not going to come to sports franchises with a goody-basket worth of tax breaks or outright cash grants,” Bush said. “That’s not the role of the state, in my opinion.”

Kotite plans offensive changes

The New York Jets want to operate a smash-mouth offense, but they didn’t smash many people in the first two preseason games. So in a meeting with the offense, a perturbed Rich Kotite unleashed a mouthful of criticisms, many of them directed at the linemen.

Kotite, saying later he was “extremely disappointed” that the team didn’t show more improvement from the first to second preseason game, may try to snap the offense out of its funk by making lineup changes for Saturday night’s game against the New York Giants.

One change appears likely: Look for Carlton Haselrig to start at right guard, with Siupeli Malamala moving to right tackle, his old position. James Brown, who started the first two games at right tackle, apparently will be demoted to second team.

Wallace should return for opener

Steve Wallace’s left knee, the latest in a long offensive line of 49er sore spots, is not seriously injured enough to keep the veteran tackle out of the team’s Sept. 3 season opener in New Orleans.

The 49ers feared cartilage or ligament damage when Wallace injured his knee during Sunday’s 17-6 preseason victory in San Diego. But arthroscopic surgery instead showed an arthritic condition.

Rams face rising temperatures

The St. Louis Rams moved their practice to 7 p.m. after a heat advisory was issued for St. Louis.

“I think it’s good news for everybody,” tight end Troy Drayton said after sweating through a half-hour walk-through Monday morning, when it was already 90 degrees with 60 percent humidity. Drayton collapsed last week due to the heat.

“When you have 15-20 guys in there after practice getting IVs, you have to do something.”

Browns 55, Bears 13

At Cleveland, rookie Eric Zeier, working with the first team, completed his last 13 passes and directed Cleveland to 35 first-half points Monday night as the Browns routed the sloppy Chicago Bears 55-13.

The third-round pick out of Georgia filled in brilliantly for ailing Vinny Testaverde, completing 14-of-16 passes for 158 yards and one TD while also scrambling 7 yards for another score.

End zone

Receiver Michael Westbrook, the fourth overall pick by Washington in the draft, is expected to sign with the Redskins today… . Buffalo All-Pro DE Bruce Smith began practicing with the Bills after undergoing offseason surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. . . . Green Bay announced QB Brett Favre’s mild concussion from Sunday’s game… . Free agent receiver Webster Slaughter practiced with Kansas City for the first time… . Pittsburgh LB Levon Kirkland signed a new contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed… . Atlanta CB Anthony Phillips, suspended for Friday’s preseason game after being arrested last week on DUI and reckless driving charges, was reinstated by coach June Jones… . Jacksonville named Frank Reich for its season opener.f