UCLA NOTEBOOK: UCLA THROWS ITS WEIGHTS AROUND.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

When Karl Dorrell arrived in Westwood after the 2002 season, offseason workouts weren't taken seriously and physical strength was an enormous issue. Of the more than 100 players, three could bench press more than 400 pounds.

A year later, there are 13 players bench pressing at least 400 pounds.

``They're not the wide receivers,'' Dorrell, UCLA's second-year coach, said.

In believing UCLA's offense will be more productive than the one that ranked near the bottom of the NCAA last season, Dorrell points to the gains being made in the weight room under first-year strength coach Doc Kreis.

``What's the biggest impact?'' Dorrell said during a Tuesday press luncheon. ``Well, I think it's physical development. That's the biggest impact that's going to help us. Are we where we want to be? No. But we're getting there.

``We weren't a very strong football team last year. Nor very fast. I think those areas have improved quite a bit.''

And there is a long way to go. UCLA returns its five starters on the offensive line, but those are the same five that were continuously pummeled as UCLA stumbled to an ugly offensive season. UCLA was 110th in total offense (294.9 yards per game) and 100th in scoring (19.1 points per game).

UCLA, which has eight offensive linemen in its incoming class, will dress just nine scholarship offensive linemen when spring practice begins April 7.

But several changes were made to the offensive line, including the hiring of respected offensive line coach Tom Cable, who also will serve as offensive coordinator. Cable is also doing away with the left and right moniker for tackles and guards. Instead, UCLA will use a weak-side and strong-side formation, with linemen flipping from side to side.

--No hard feelings: There is no riff between Hart High of Newhall and UCLA, according to Hart coach Mike Herrington. After quarterback Matt Moore left UCLA and tight ends coach Gary Bernardi was fired, Herrington said he may ban the Bruins coaching staff from campus, throwing a kink into recruiting at one of the Southland's top high school programs.

However, Herrington recently said UCLA is welcome on Hart's campus. Bruins recruiting coordinator Don Johnson and Herrington met, and UCLA assistant Jon Embree spoke with Herrington.

--Extra points: Junior center Mike McCloskey, who underwent ankle surgery during the season, may not practice every day because he is still experiencing soreness. ... Defensive tackle Thomas Patton, who left school because of academics and is enrolled in junior college, will not return for the season.

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com