RELOADING, REBUILDING IN TRENCHES BRUINS' OFFENSIVE LINE STRONGER, DEFENSE YOUNGER.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

It was fourth-and-1 on a terribly sloppy field against Fresno State, a middle-of-the-road Western Athletic Conference team. UCLA offensive lineman Eyoseph Efseaff said the offense pushed the coaching staff to go for it.

The play, a run to the right, netted minus-2 yards in an eventual loss. It is the only snippet necessary to relive the Bruins' 6-7 season.

Why run wide on a muddy field? How could UCLA's offensive line not create a crease for a 1-yard gain?

UCLA coach Karl Dorrell believes he took care of the coaching portion when he revamped his offensive staff and hired offensive coordinator Tom Cable.

As far as what goes on at the line of scrimmage, well, that's the biggest issue as UCLA opens training camp today at Spaulding Field, but the issue isn't relegated to the offensive side. UCLA is unproven on the defensive line, where the Bruins lost eight defensive linemen, including their top five, from 2003.

Yet, Dorrell is confident those two situations will be sorted out by the Sept. 4 season opener against Oklahoma State.

``(Offensive line) is a better position this year because they're all basically back, they all had great offseasons, they all look different than they did a year ago,'' Dorrell said. ``With that experience and growth and maturity, they're going to play better as an offensive unit.

``(On the defensive line) we have some good, young players that are extremely focused and hard-working, athletic and have a certain spirit in attitude and how they play. If you can continue to remain with those qualities and work ethic, you have a chance to do some great things.''

The addition of Cable and a year with strength and conditioning coach Doc Kreis seem to be the biggest factors in improving the offensive line.

Cable simplified blocking schemes by switching to a strong-side (tight end side) and weak-side system, rather than a left and right system. He moved Steve Vieira from tackle to strong-side guard. Efseaff, a senior, moved from strong-side to weak-side guard. Senior Paul Mociler, who played center in the spring, is at strong-side tackle, and junior Ed Blanton moved from strong-side to weak-side tackle.

Junior Mike McCloskey is the starting center. Sophomore Robert Chai, who was being considered at guard, is McCloskey's backup.

Cable also changed blocking techniques.

``When we reach block, our steps are different,'' Blanton said. ``Our pass (blocking) steps are a little different. The guards are set a little different on the inside. The tackles are set a little different on the outside. It was pretty uncomfortable at first. The more I did it, the more I got comfortable and it worked so much better.''

The issue of strength also was addressed during demanding offseason workouts. Each offensive lineman can now bench press 400 pounds, a rare feat a year ago. Vieira admitted he was overpowered ``a lot'' by opposing linemen in 2003 but said ``it's going to be hard'' to do so now.

There also is a change in girth. Efseaff, who benches 500 pounds, plans to play at 315 pounds, up 40 pounds from last fall. On average, the projected starting five are about 15 pounds heavier but with no increase in body fat.

``I was undersized and I was not able to stop the charge sometimes, at least the way I should have,'' Efseaff said. ``I was athletic, quick. But it's different being 300-plus pounds, and a guy hittin' on you, hittin' on you. Come third or fourth quarter, that weight is going to make a difference.''

The starters need to improve and mesh better in camp, but depth must be found. Cable is hopeful at least two incoming freshmen prove they can play immediately. Tackles Brian Abraham and Chris Joseph, and guards Aaron Meyer and Shannon Tevaga are the leading candidates.

There also is the matter of pride for an offense that was 110th in the country in total offense (295 yards per game) and 100th in scoring offense (19 points per game).

``Like I said to them, `Nobody's going to push you around now.' We're strong enough to go out there and do that,'' Cable said. ``The last piece of the puzzle is can they go all the way, where they have great pride, and grindin' and fightin' and scrappin' and not getting their quarterback hit, and getting their back some running lanes. Are they committed to that?''

On the defensive line, UCLA lost All-American and school sack master Dave Ball, twin defensive end Mat Ball and starting tackles Rodney Leisle and Ryan Boschetti. Each are in NFL camps. Also, Asi Faoa, the top reserve, and David Tautofi were seniors. Then, in the offseason, Junior Lemau'u was kicked out of school, Thomas Patton succumbed to academics (he will try to re-enroll in January), and Kevin Harbour suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the spring and is out until at least October.

Only tackle C.J. Niusulu played regularly among those who have come back. Meanwhile, freshman Bruce Davis, 6-foot-3 and undersized at 240 pounds, occupies the right end spot where Dave Ball lined up last year and recorded a school-record 16.5 sacks. Incoming freshman Brigham Harwell should get playing time behind Davis.

``Being young is not an excuse anymore,'' Brown said. ``We're all strong. We got in the weight room with Doc Kreis. There's no excuse anymore. If you mess up, it's just a lack of focus. You just have to step up and be a man.''

Communication is one issue, but so is the defensive line's ability to stop the run and get pressure on the quarterback.

``I'm hoping our (defensive backs) will be able to hang long enough with the receivers to give our d-line time to get in there,'' Bruins senior free safety Ben Emanuel said. ``Those guys are young. They definitely have to prove themselves.''

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

TOM CABLE

UCLA's new offensive coordinator has simplified blocking schemes.

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Camp schedule