Bruins' reputation starts with defense

LOS ANGELES - In a conference famous for offense, UCLA is building a reputation for defense. And even with the hiring of offensive-minded Rick Neuheisel as head coach, that reputation shouldn't change this season.

Given their myriad of problems on offense, the Bruins likely will ask more of their defense than ever, particularly in today's season opener against Tennessee as they try to build an offense around a third-string quarterback (Kevin Craft), a revamped offensive line and a tailback (Kahlil Bell) who is making a comeback from a torn ACL.

"Our trump card will be our defense," Neuheisel said. "DeWayne (Walker) has done an excellent job of building a culture that expects great things. They expect to be a shutdown defense."

Although the Bruins lost six starters from last year's defense, the consensus seems to be that the defense will be just as good, if not better.

Or, as junior middle linebacker Reggie Carter put it, "We don't regroup. We reload."

Last season, the Bruins ranked in the top 15 nationally in four defensive categories, including run defense (14th). In 2006, they were ninth against the run. Such rankings might not turn heads in a defensive-minded league like the SEC, but they're more noteworthy in a conference renowned for flashy, high-scoring offenses.

"People see the Pac-10 as soft," Carter said. "But our offenses are so dynamic.

"I wouldn't say the Pac-10 is soft. We just play against a different type of offense. But when it's time to adjust, we can play smash-mouth football.

"You have to be aggressive on defense. You're trying to take the ball away from somebody. Anytime you're trying to take something from somebody, you have to be aggressive about it."

The Bruins' aggression starts up front with senior All-Pac-10 tackle Brigham Harwell, and sophomore Brian Price, who made second-team freshman All-American last season. Carter, who played outside linebacker last season, will have the advantage of lining up right behind Harwell and Price.

The hardest player to replace on the front seven will be defensive end Bruce Davis, a third-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Davis led UCLA with 12 sacks last season. No one else had more than four.

Despite the loss of Davis, senior cornerback Alterraun Verner said he expects the Bruins to put just as much pressure on opposing offenses.

"Our front seven is very skilled and they've all got experience," he said. "They're some bad boys."

Verner, who broke up 15 passes and had four interceptions last season, is the leader of a secondary that will have three new starters.

"We have a lot of younger guys but we have a lot of talent," Verner said. "Some people don't know that. I know what everyone of these players is capable of. We're going to do a lot of good things this year."

The Bruins secondary should improve after the UT game when senior safety Bret Lockett returns. Lockett was suspended for the season opener and will be replaced by true freshman Rahim Moore, one of the Bruins' most heralded recruits.

"We may tweak a couple of packages," Walker said. "We're trying to stay close to what we've done while we've been here. But playing without our starting safety, we know we will have to make some adjustments."

Nonetheless, Walker doesn't think a defense should be judged on the number of returning starters.

"Last year, we had all the starters back and we gave up over 400 yards each of the first three games," he said. "I think sometimes it's hard to gauge a defense based on whether you have a lot of starters back. You really don't know until you start playing.

"So we'll see how these guys respond. We'll know Monday night."

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284.