Published: August 12, 2009 10:33 pm      

Romo-to-Williams to get first test vs. Raiders

COWBOYS PRESEASON OPENER: AT OAKLAND, 9 P.M. TONIGHT

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Tony Romo and Roy Williams began practicing together in June to kick-start their development as quarterback and No. 1 receiver. The first real progress report comes Thursday night.

Romo and Williams won't be on the field for long when the Dallas Cowboys face the Oakland Raiders in the preseason opener, but it should be long enough for No. 9 to start getting used to looking for No. 11 — instead of No. 81, the departed Terrell Owens.

"We just want to be productive," Williams said. "We might not score, but we might drive it down and kick a field goal. That's productive. Just don't turn the ball over. That's one thing that, if we want to be in the playoffs and want to win the Super Bowl, you can't turn the ball over."

Williams is downplaying this on-field season debut. It's understandable considering all the criticism since Dallas sent a bundle of picks to get him from Detroit last season, tacked on a $45 million contract extension, then dumped T.O. to make him Romo's top target.

Williams caught only 16 passes for 160 yards and no touchdowns in the seven games he played with Romo last season. But there should be a big difference now that he's the main man and they've had an offseason to get their timing down.