Spotlight Focuses on Dickerson : Raiders: How well will the running back perform? That’s among the intriguing questions as training camp opens.

Raider training camps have been rather uneventful the last two seasons, most of the drama being provided by the holdouts of tailback Marcus Allen and quarterback Steve Beuerlein, since traded to the Dallas Cowboys.

But as the Raiders open camp today at Oxnard, some intriguing questions remain.

--Can Eric Dickerson, acquired from the Colts on draft day, regain his 1980s form?

Dickerson, as a Ram before he was traded to Indianapolis, was one of the NFL’s best running backs. And for seven consecutive seasons, until 1990, he rushed for more than 1,000 yards. In that ’90 season, though, he gained only 677 yards, sitting out five games under suspension for insubordination.

Hampered by injuries last season, Dickerson rushed for a personal-low 536 yards. He will turn 32 in September.

--If Dickerson does regain his form, can he and Allen co-exist?

Allen graciously accepted a platoon arrangement every year for four seasons, through 1990, when Bo Jackson showed up in the Raider backfield after the baseball season. But Allen, himself one of the premier backs of the ‘80s, has been feuding with the Raiders over salary for the last five years--during which he has not had a raise--and may not look kindly on Dickerson’s arrival.

--Will quarterback Todd Marinovich unseat Jay Schroeder, who has led the Raiders to the playoffs the last two seasons?

Marinovich replaced Schroeder in the final two games last season as the Raiders were ousted from the playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs.

--Can the Raiders accelerate the career of linebacker Aundray Bruce, acquired as a Plan B free agent from the Atlanta Falcons?

The Falcons gave up on Bruce, the first pick in the 1988 draft, converting him to tight end last season. The Raiders will move him back to linebacker.

Rookies and selected veterans, such as Marinovich, report today, with veterans due Thursday. The Raiders will leave Oxnard twice before their exhibition opener at San Francisco on Aug. 8, traveling to Austin, Tex., to scrimmage the Dallas Cowboys for three days, then going to Flagstaff, Ariz., to scrimmage the Phoenix Cardinals for three days.

The Raiders have 13 unsigned veterans, including Allen, wide receiver Tim Brown, Schroeder and guard Max Montoya.

None of the Raider draft picks have signed yet, but Steve Ortmayer, director of football operations, says the Raiders are close to signing most of their picks, including their first two selections, Clemson defensive lineman Chester McGlockton and Michigan offensive tackle Greg Skrepenak.