Former Dallas Cowboys halfback Calvin Hill recalls stepping onto the field for the first time at Texas Stadium in 1971.

The sun shone through the hole in the roof, casting a metallic glow on the blue seats. As Hill and defensive tackle Bob Lilly gazed at the spongy plastic turf under their cleats, they were struck by the pristine conditions of their new surroundings.

"I wonder if we can spit on this stuff," Lilly said.

Players from that 1971 team took much pride in protecting their turf. As the first tenants of Texas Stadium, many felt responsible for staging a show worthy of their new home. They did not want to be the first to lose a game there.

Thirty-eight years later, the Cowboys officially begin a new era tonight at Cowboys Stadium. They play the New York Giants in the first regular-season game at the $1.15 billion palace.

"That stadium is unbelievable," said Hill, who played with Dallas from 1969-74. "I would just hope that history repeats itself in protecting home field. If you consider these guys as artists, I would hope they would be inspired by the stadium like a poet is to something unique in nature."

Jerry Jones' 3 million-square-foot playhouse features the longest retractable roof ever constructed and an HD video screen that hangs from one 20-yard line to the other.

The Cowboys can't help but draw inspiration from playing inside the groundbreaking architectural marvel. A crowd of about 100,000 is expected.

Win or lose, these players' names will be etched in team history.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime event for our team and our fans playing in the greatest stadium in the world," coach Wade Phillips said. "Playing in front of one of the largest crowds ever will motivate you."

As an expansion team in 1960, the Cowboys went 0-6 their first year in the Cotton Bowl.

But the move to Irving in 1971 seemed to jump-start Dallas, which went 6-0 that first season at Texas Stadium. The Cowboys were 3-2 when Texas Stadium opened after delays. They defeated the New England Patriots, 44-21, then won seven of their final eight regular-season games. A victory over San Francisco at Texas Stadium in the NFC Championship Game led to Dallas' first Super Bowl win.

"It's like if you buy a new house, you want to keep it as clean as you can," said former offensive lineman Rayfield Wright, who won two Super Bowls and five NFC championships in 13 seasons (1967-79) in Dallas.

"You have to make sure the house is on a solid foundation and built where it's not going to break down. It's the same thing with the new stadium. Going into the new stadium I know for me raised your level of play. You didn't want somebody to come in and break down the doors on you."

HALL OF FAME

RICE AMONG NOMINEES

Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith headline the preliminary list of modern-era nominees for induction next year in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The list released yesterday includes 131 players, coaches and contributors.

Hall of Fame selectors will chose 25 semifinalists by Nov. 27, and 15 finalists by Jan. 7.

Voting will take place Feb. 6, the day before the Super Bowl.

Other modern-era nominees include Tim Brown, Herschel Walker, Cris Carter, Andre Reed and Sterling Sharp. Former commissioner Paul Tagliabue is also on the list.

They join two previously announced senior nominees, former Detroit Lions cornerback Dick LeBeau and former Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little.

CHARGERS

WILLIAMS PUT ON IR

San Diego has placed defensive tackle Jamal Williams on injured reserve with a triceps injury, meaning he'll miss the rest of the season.

It's a big loss for the Chargers. Although the 12-year veteran has a history of knee injuries, he's still been a force in the middle, particularly against the run.

William's backup is Ogemdi Nwagbuo, who spent five weeks on San Diego's practice squad last year. To fill Williams' roster spot, defensive end Andre Coleman was signed from the practice squad.