UCLA NOTEBOOK: TEMPERS HEAT UP AT PRACTICE.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

There seems to be a new attitude permeating the UCLA football program this year, and judging by the first week of practice, that attitude is mean.

The competition is fierce at several positions, and that, coupled with the August heat, has led to several scuffles among players. There were two more Saturday as freshman linebacker John Hale and fullback Jimmy Stephens fell to the ground and had to be pulled off one another.

``A little temper, that's good. It happens in camp,'' Bruins coach Karl Dorrell said. ``It shows the guys are competing. It seems like after the fisticuffs, things escalated in a little more in terms of intensity. That's great. That's what you've got to do.''

Hale, who played at Los Alamitos High, has impressed coaches with his physical play and has taken plenty of reps behind Aaron Whittington at outside linebacker because of injuries.

``I walked into a great situation,'' Hale said. ``I was given a shot. I'm glad I got a shot, although you don't want it to be because of injuries. I feel I've done a great job so far, and the older guys are helping me out. A big reason I am where I am is because the coaches gave me a shot.''

--Tight race: Senior Marcedes Lewis is clearly entrenched as UCLA's tight end, but three freshmen are pushing for playing time behind him. Newcomers Logan Paulsen (Chaminade High of West Hills), Ryan Moya and Adam Heater have challenged some of the veteran backups.

``I feel if you play hard good things will happen,'' Paulsen said. ``I just don't want to take any (crap).''

Dorrell said one or two of the freshman tight ends probably won't have to redshirt.

``All three bring something to the table that we're missing, and that's why they were recruited,'' Dorrell said. ``You can tell they're getting more and more confident.''

--Also: The Bruins' linebacker corps seems to dwindle every day. Saturday was no different: William Snead (ankle) was on crutches and scheduled to have X-rays. ... Among the recruits at practice Saturday: Darius Savage (Morse High of San Diego), Jeff Miller (Westlake), Jake Dean (Paraclete of Lancaster), Allen Bradford (Colton) and Devin Ross (Rancho Cucamonga). Savage and Dean have already committed. ... Receivers Matthew Slater, Brandon Breazell, Marcus Everett and walk-on Andrew Baumgartner were praised Saturday by Dorrell. Breazell didn't practice in the afternoon because of a stiff back. ... Wesley Walker could be sidelined up to five weeks after cartilage was removed from his knee Friday, Dorrell said.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com