They’re Parked in UCLA Lineup

UCLA Football, Take II.

The 10 wayward souls--four linebackers, two defensive backs, two offensive linemen and two running backs--returned from suspension this week. They’re back in time for next week’s Pacific 10 opener and the one-game tuneup that comes Saturday night against Fresno State at the Rose Bowl. Belated greetings.

The Bruin roster that is handicapped no more figures to include six new/old starters, four on defense, and four others as key reserves, an infusion that comes after each had been barred from so much as standing on the sidelines or riding the team bus the first two games.

“It’s not whole,” Coach Bob Toledo said, “but it’s better than it was.”

Injuries to offensive lineman Mike Saffer and cornerback Jason Bell, both starters, keep them from being at full strength, but this is basically the Bruins the way they were supposed to be, finally. Meet the new team, same as the old team.

“When people say welcome back, I kind of want to say, ‘I’ve been here the whole time,’ ” said Ryan Roques, the starting strong safety.

No one said it would be a normal transition. Welcome to their Reconstruction Era--where the foundation is already in place.

* Running back: Even with Matt Stanley coming off the emotional high of last Saturday night at Ohio State (scoring a touchdown, being told afterward he was getting a scholarship), fullback Durell Price was still one of the 10 all but guaranteed to get his starting job back. That will happen immediately because it means an increase in experience and talent, but whether his full impact also comes back this week is the question.

“Our linebackers, they’ve all played together for a year and they’ve got a feel for one another,” Price said. “With me, we have young offensive linemen, and the quarterback situation has changed. We’re not at the point where I’m not going to be a step off or a step late, it’s just going to be getting the feel again. Once I do that, it’ll be fine. It shouldn’t take me more than a practice or two.”

He gets four before the 1999 debut, not counting a Friday walk-through.

The return of Keith Brown makes UCLA three deep at tailback again, their standard of last season and a rotation Toledo says will remain intact for Brown’s senior campaign. That he will be third on the depth chart and not counted on to greatly improve a position is easier to ignore these days, when any help for the laboring running game will be appreciated.

* Offensive line: What has so far been a group whose inexperience was matched only by its lack of depth gets a much-needed boost. Oscar Cabrera, along with Brian Polak a returning starter from ‘98, is a critical addition. The No. 1 left guard rejoins the team at a time when the Bruins just lost their right guard, Saffer, for at least two weeks because of a sprained ankle.

James Ghezzi is an important reserve because he can be plugged in at guard or tackle. Before, Micah Webb had been backing up at both tackles, Ed Anderson did the same at guard and Tony Ippolito got time at center and guard.

“I’m sure it’s going to take them some time to get into the swing,” line coach Mark Weber said of Cabrera and Ghezzi. “But it shouldn’t be too bad since they both played a lot last season and have gotten a lot of reps in fall camp.”

* Linebacker: No other position is affected more by returning players: Robert Thomas, a key reserve last season, will start in the middle, and a pair of starters from 1998, Ryan Nece and Tony White, will be in the opening lineup on the outside. Their predecessors have scattered, with Santi Hall ticketed for defensive end, Billy Pieper lost to a knee injury and Ed Stansbury getting a second-string role after playing well as a fill-in.

“It’ll be tough both ways,” White said of the transition. “They won’t be getting as many reps as before. And, mentally, when we come back, it’ll be a little bit fuzzy at first. Physically, for them, going so many reps at first and then cutting back, they’ll be kind of frustrated. But after a week or two, I think it’ll all go away. Once we start jelling and our regular routine gets in, then I think we’ll be fine.”

Ali Abdul Azziz will back up White, bumping true freshman Asi Faoa from starter in Week 1 to third string for Game 3. The other true freshman on the unit, Marcus Reese, continues to impress and will play behind Nece.

* Secondary: Marques Anderson, among the original nine suspended in the handicapped-parking scheme, was eventually dismissed from school for the quarter because it came after previous undisclosed campus incidents, ending his season. But Roques and Eric Whitfield are back.

Roques is a key addition because of his wide-ranging impact. He will be at strong safety this week, but was also considered at cornerback, and appears likely to return punts.

Whitfield begins as the backup free safety.

Ten Men In

The 10 UCLA football players suspended for allegedly using illegal handicapped-parking placards will return Saturday against Fresno State. Where they will play:

Player vs. Fresno State

Ali Abdul Azziz: Reserve linebacker

Keith Brown: Reserve tailback

Oscar Cabrera: Starting left guard

James Ghezzi: Reserve guard and tackle

Ryan Nece: Starting outside linebacker

Durell Price: Starting fullback

Ryan Roques: Starting strong safety

Robert Thomas: Starting middle linebacker

Eric Whitfield: Reserve safety

Tony White: Starting outside linebacker